Since I assume we are talking about Type 2 diabetes, I have to point out that yes, you must have the genes to develop Type 2, but these genes are found in most of the population, and are usually only expressed by LIFESTYLE CHOICES!

Meaning that Type 2 is PREVENATBLE and you DO NOT have to get it if you live right, at least in 80% of cases!!!!!

There are exceptions, but I am not referring to people with rare genetic forms of Type 2 and those who followed a healthy lifestyle and still got it.

That is why the world is seeing an explosion of Type 2. Genes pools have not become more common/changed (that would be impossible in 50 years), but "bad" lifestyles and weight HAVE increased.

Autoimmune disease are diseasesthat attck tissue of th body. NOT ALL diabetes is autoimmune in origins or nature.
Type 1 typically is genetic defect in origin.
Type 2 is more often autoimmne.
HOWEVER
Autoimmune type 1 occur due to innocualtion factor, infection and other childghood and infant bodily reactions.
As in type 2 as well.
ANY diabetes can be caused. That is through innoculation, infection, injury, illness etc.


Autoimmune disaeses affect anumber of systems.
theer is NO one cuase, nor is theer any one true type. We we have found out through the symposiums,w e are seeing type 1, type 1A, type 1.5 or type B,
Brittle, Transitive, piggyback diabetes etc.

If we look at the amount of inbreeding or non outbreeding that is done in any one culture we can see high incidences for diabetes.

Such as 48 percent in INdia are both bred within a culture standing.
If you woudl have read the further documentation of those in the areas,, then the technical side woudl ahve been redefined by genetic faults as well.

Please bear in mind that threads have a reason.

In this section we are discussing who shoudl undergo tests.

In answer to that anyone who is showing signs, genetic or who has an unfortunate reaction to innoculations, has been seriously ill, has had an operation, who has family current or past and it began when they were young, car accident victims, or anyone whos blood work shows an unusual elevated ++ or better white count, has protein in urine, high ketones, or no other reason can be given for feeling ill chronically.

I am sorry, but you are COMPLETELY wrong!.TYPE 1 A Diabetes is an autoimmune disease. Type 2 (the lifestyle kind found often in overweight people) is NOT.

You have this backwards.

Autoimmune Type 1 happens when people with the genetics for it are exposed to a "trigger". Current research shows it is 50% genetic, 50% enviornomental, although we don't know WHAT it is in the environment that causes it. It may be many things like viruses, or different things in different people.

Type 1B, or idiopathic Type 1 diabetes is not autoimmune, the cause is unknown. It is very rare. It may be strictly genetic or strictly from a virus.

MODY is a genetic form of Type 2, which occurs in young, thin people. It is NOT caused by autoimmunity. That is the kind of diabetes YOU have, so you say.

The majority of Type 2 diabetes is caused by people with the genes for it following an unhealthy lifestyle and gaining weight. Obesity can directly cause Type 2. Any medical article will tell you this. As a diabetic educator, you probably counsel people on how to prevent Type 2 by following a healthy lifestyle every day. It's part of your job! Just because someone has the genes for Type 2, they DON'T have to get it! It's often preventable!

It is obvious you are NOT a properly certified diabetes educator, as you are clearly misinformed about virtually everything relating to diabetes.

P.S. It is not a coincidence that the incidence of Type 2 has risen alongside poor diets and weight gain among cultures. As a nurse, doctor, dietitian, or pharmacist (degrees you need to be a diabetic educator), you know that genetics CAN'T change/evolve in the past 50 years, so it must be lifestyle that is causing the increase. All research points to lifestyle as the main cause.

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My Mother has been diagnosed so I guess that means I should be tested, but my Doctor knows about my Mom and he hasn't tested me. What do you make of that? Should I request that he test me?

It could mean that he thinks your mothers diabetes is not genetic, but rather caused by another reason. Many older people develope diabets from a number of causes.
when your mom gets her glucose meter, why not do a poke. It will give you an idea fo what she has to do, give you teh ability to do it if anything happens, and it will give you a good clue if you have to worry.
Also if you choose to poke yourself, do it in the morning before eating anything to get a really good idea if you need to worry.
Half the time I cant find my meteres because my family plays with them too, just to keep in check!

As I stated in a reply to another post moments ago, I don't live close to my mother, but that is a good idea for when I go to visit. Thanks.

I do agree that a screening for Type 2 diabetes should be done for most people over 40 as part of their general check up, *especially* if you:

-Have a family history
-Are overweight
-Have evidence of the metabolic syndrome, such as high blood pressure, excess abdominal fat, and/or high cholesterol
-If you take any Rx medication that may increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, such as steroids.

There are other reasons, such as if you have a rare medical condition that can cause a temporary increase in blood sugar, such as Cushing's Disease. In most cases, any increase in blood sugar will go away when the underlying disease is treated. However, your doctor (if a good one!) will know to screen you in this case.

I do think that you should feel comfortable asking your doctor for a simple fasting blood sugar as an initial diabetes screen. You may want to say that you have a family history, and you have been having some symptoms of diabetes, such as excess thirst, etc. This may not be the case, but it will trigger your doctor to order the test! You didn't hear that from me though....hehe...

An *oral glucose tolerance test*, or OGTT is the best way to diagnose any sign of abnormal glucose tolerance. If you are in the "higher risk" category (i.e. your mother has diabetes and you are overweight), or your fasting blood sugar is even slightly abnormal, an OGTT should be done without question.


It's not a bad idea to use a relative's blood glucose monitor, just make sure that you have been shown how to use it properly, otherwise you may get abnormal results. Also, although a home monitor can "screen" for diabetes, keep in mind that they are not considered accurate enough to officially diagnose Type 2 diabetes. A venous fasting blood sugar test, an A1c test, and the OGGT are the gold standards.

Perhaps in your case Fizz, you might want to go for a free "diabetes screening" offered by your local ******** (i.e. Wal-Mart) or clinic. These are offered quite often now by the larger pharmacies. Some pharmacies even have Certified Diabetes Educator Pharmacists and/or weekly diabetes clinics staffed by nurses with diabetes training. They may test your blood sugar for you for free at your request. You can look in the phone book and call around. You have nothing to lose by asking! Also, you can buy your own meter fairly cheap. However, nothing can replace a professional's help if you are new to the diabetes scene.

If you are *really* in a bind, you can buy cheap urine glucose dip strips without a prescription. The problem with this is that they are not very accurate at catching a high glucose level unless it is already quite abnormally high. For this reason, not the best choice, but still an option. Having a negative result here doesn't rule out diabetes, but a positive test signals that you need medical care right away.

Your doctor may have decided not to screen you because he may feel you are not at exceptionally high risk for diabetes yourself. For example, if you are younger, thin, active, follow a healthy diet, and have normal blood pressure, your doctor may not feel that you are at a high risk for Type 2 diabetes, even if your mother does have it.

I am *not* saying that you should not be screened, just that in your particular case, your doctor may not feel that your profile warrants a screening if you have no symptoms, especially if you are under 40. In many (but not all) cases, Type 2 diabetes is often tied to lifestyle (obesity, excess food consumption, lack of exercise) and increasing age rather than simply genetics. That's not to say that genetics don't play a role, just that the genetic risk is higher in some families and people than others.

If only your mother has Type 2 diabetes, developed it at age 75, and was overweight at the time, than your genetic risk is *presumably* lower than someone whose entire family developed Type 2 diabetes in their 30's, and despite being thin and eating healthily etc. To summarize, you risk is increased because you have an increased risk of carrying the genes for Type 2 diabetes, but you may not have as *strong* of a tendency as someone whose family has multiple cases. Especially if those cases seemed to not be tied to a high risk lifestyle.

I would like to point out that sometimes it is the *lifestyle* that is shared by a family that contributes to Type 2 diabetes in some cases (but not all of course). For instance, it may be that the entire family eats larger portions and junk food often and exercises less than they should, leading to obesity and Type 2 diabetes, rather than simply family genetics.


Many people can have the genes for Type 2, but never develop it if they work hard at a healthy lifestyle. Research has shown that a healthy lifestyle can delay and even prevent some cases of Type 2 diabetes. In some cases, you do NOT have to get it! The course of Type 2 diabetes can be modified in many (but not all) cases. If you have any of the risk factors (excess weight, high blood pressure, etc.) and a family history, you doctor should refer you to a "chronic disease prevention program/healthy living program" to help you try to prevent developing Type 2 diabetes. This can be done with diet, weight loss, and exercise.

Even if your test results are normal, you should still strive to follow a healthy living program, which usually includes a visit to a dietitian. You have a lot more power to control your destiny than you think. Many people think they are "destined" to be overweight or develop Type 2 diabetes, when this is not always the case. You don't have to become a size 6 or run a marathon to reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes. Small things make a huge impact. Of course, not all cases of Type 2 can be prevented, but don't you think you deserve to give yourself the best chance?

Go get screened ASAP, and then go from there! Good luck!

Note: This information applies to "general* Type 2 diabetes cases only. This information is NOT relevant to MODY, Type 1 diabetes, LADA, the KIR 6 mutation monogenic diabetes, etc. These forms of diabetes are not preventable.

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Pre-Med Student

Very good point! I know that your family has a very strong history of diabetes (MODY right?), so I am glad that you are so on top of things. While Type 2 diabetes can usually be prevented in kids, unfortunately MODY can't. You are doing great by looking out for it. Hopefully your daughter didn't inherit the MODY genes. If I remember, her risk is 50% if you have it. Have you had her tested for the MODY genes? Joslin is doing a MODY study, if you want I can give you the email address. They will test her for free. And perhaps this research will eventually lead to a cure. Or she might test negative!

At least she knows how to eat healthy and exercise from watching you! It doesn't make diabetes any easier, but at least she's prepared. Congrats on your working out efforts!

You are doing the right thing by encouraging your family to live healthily and by doing routine screening. Good for you!

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Pre-Med Student

I forgot to add that older people can develop Type 1 diabetes too (allthough rare), which in that case changes everything! I'm going to assume that your mother has Type 2 diabetes Fizz, so please correct me if I am wrong.

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Pre-Med Student