Sam Milby Opens Up About His Health Journey After His Latent Autoimmune Diabetes Diagnosis

Sam Milby personally delivered some bad news about his health. In a recent interview, the 41-year-old actor shared a health update, saying he has Type 1.5 diabetes now, or another medical term—latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).

"It's bad," he told ABS-CBN News. "It's called LADA. It's an autoimmune disease, and it means that I am diagnosed as Type 2, but eventually magiging Type 1 ako."

Sam further explained the differences between the stages of diabetes. "Type 1 is the worst, Tito Gary (Valenciano) has Type 1. It means that your pancreas does not produce insulin at all. So, I may have to start 'yung insulin shots, eventually. Ganun talaga," he said.

The diagnosis came from when he decided to get tested in Singapore. It was indeed a surprising and unexpected situation for Sam, who noted how he had been maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

"It's part of my life. I have discipline naman sa pagkain but it was a bit surprising kasi para sa akin, healthy naman akong tao. Nakaka-sad, but it's a part of my life. The doctor said that stress is actually a big factor on a lot of illnesses. [But] I don't think I was that stressed for a while, I don't know," Sam stated.

Sam first talked about his diagnosis back in June 2024. In an Instagram post, he raised awareness that despite not having it in the family or amid maintaining a healthy lifestyle, one can still be diagnosed with diabetes.

"I don't have a sweet tooth, bihira din mag junk food, pero last year I found out na may type 2 diabetes na ako." My parents and grandparents never had it. I just wish I got checked up earlier nung pre diabetes pa," he first wrote in his IG post.

The actor calls on everyone to do medical check-ups regularly, and to listen to one's body. "Don't ignore the symptoms (my main symptoms - always thirsty and urinating often) and get checked up regularly," he said.

According to Diabetes Victoria, when a person has autoimmune diabetes (LADA), it means the person's immune system clashes and attacks the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Hence, the pancreas will not be able to produce insulin for the body—leading to the need for insulin injection for most cases like this.

So, now, with his LADA diagnosis, Sam will double up on having a more active lifestyle and be more conscious about his eating habits. "I am trying to be more physically active. I do pickleball now. I've been playing pickleball on and off for two years. That's my cardio. Sometimes, I run. Eating habits, I’m pretty strict on my diet. The one thing that helps also is shiratake rice and shiratake pasta, okay siya masarap siya. That's a big help," the actor noted.

While Sam's going for a healthier lifestyle and perhaps taking it easy in his work, the actor's also lined up for a new series with Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino. Sam is starring in the upcoming drama airing on Prime Video titled The Alibi.

Hoping for your good health, Sam!