Diabetic predisposition

[junglebunny]

I am fortunate that I don't personally have diabetes, however my elderly father has. I wonder about being predisposed to develop diabetes.

[Cassy]

What exactly do you mean by predisposed? I don't understand. Are you askin gif you can catch it by being near your grandfather?

[Type 1]

There is a genetic disposition to both major types of diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2). However the genes involved for each are different, and the risks for inheriting it are different as well.

For Type 2 diabetes, the risk can be as high as 50% if a parent has Type 2 diabetes. If both parents or a sibling have it, the risk *can be* as high as 80%. However, taking steps to try and prevent Type 2 diabetes, such as maintaining a normal weight, eating healthily, and daily exericse, can prevent or delay many (but not all) cases. About 80% of Type 2 diabetes cases are preventable or can be delayed. So, in other words, you may be able to prevent or delay its onset if you really work hard to make lifestyle changes. Even if you still develop it, it's much "better" to develop it at 80 as opposed to 40. The younger you develop it, and the longer you have it, the greater your risk of diabetes complications.

The most important thing anyone can do is to encourage a healthy lifestyle for the entire family, and stick with it for life. No one exepects perfection, just some changes!

For Type 1 diabetes, the risks are as follows (to develop Type 1 diabetes):

-2-10% if your mother has it (former stats used to say 2-4%)

-7-13% if your father has it (why the risk is higher is unclear at this point)

-5-20% if a sibling has it. The risk can be as low as 4-5%, or as high as 20% if multiple kids in the same family have it.

-50% if one identical twin has Type 1 diabetes (again, stresses the 50% genetic, 50% environmental trigger hypothesis).

In some cases and/or families, the risk may be higher. Some families seem to have familial autoimmunity and/or Type 1 diabetes in multiple generations, and the risk may be quite high compared to these stats. You will often see people in these families develop Type 1 diabetes very young, as they have a very high disposition. In this case, genetic counselling may be a good plan before considering children, if you are concerned they may inherit Type 1. At this point in time, we do not know of any ways to prevent Type 1 diabetes.

[britjojo]

The important point really is, as Type 1 said, to take care of yourself. If you live the right lifestyle and style end up with diabetes, then at least other areas of your health should be good enough that your risk for complications will be lower. Plus, you'll be used to the healthy eating and exercise needed to maintain healthy glucose levels.