Does type 1 diabetes run in families?
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Stacy Wiegman answered:Type 1 diabetes often runs in families. Unlike the more common type 2, type 1 diabetes is most likely an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. An infection or another trigger may bring on this autoimmune response. The tendency to develop type 1 diabetes can be inherited.
Type 1 diabetes often runs in families. Unlike the more common type 2, type 1 diabetes is most likely an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. An infection or another trigger may... More -
The risk factor for type 1 diabetes is somewhat higher if one of your immediate family members-such as a parent or sibling-has developed this condition. Research shows that certain genes can determine whether you are predisposed to type 1 diabetes. Therefore-you may want to consider genetic testing if you have a family history of type 1 diabetes. However-this type of testing is still in clinical trial stages.
The risk factor for type 1 diabetes is somewhat higher if one of your immediate family members-such as a parent or sibling-has developed this condition. Research shows that certain genes can determine whether you are predisposed to type 1 diabetes.... More -
William Lee Dubois answered:Maybe. We used to view Type-1 as a very lone wolf affair. Often patients had no blood relatives with the disease. Sometimes one identical twin will have T-1 and the other will not. That said, over recent decades T-1 seems to be clustering with multiple sibs and intern-generational cases. One theory is that there may in fact be a genetic component that can be passed on; but it is taking several generations to reveal itself. Recall that prior to 1922 (when insulin appears on the scene) all T-1 Diabetics died, usually before puberty.
Maybe. We used to view Type-1 as a very lone wolf affair. Often patients had no blood relatives with the disease. Sometimes one identical twin will have T-1 and the other will not. That said, over recent decades T-1 seems to be clustering with... More -
Eliot LeBow, LCSW answered:There maybe a family component but with Type I diabetes you will find that there are both genetic and environmental risk factors for developing diabetes. With the genetic component, forty percent of people in the United States carry the gene that is related to diabetes from one parent. It's called the HLA genes (human leukocyte antigen). However actually developing Type I diabetes is dependent on whether the person has duplicate HLA genes, one from each parent.
With that said, diabetes in the family only increases one's chance of being diagnosed with diabetes by 10 to 15%.
At this point in time there are only causal relationships between diabetes and family. One thing is clear is that 85% of those diagnosed with diabetes do not have a history of diabetes in their family.
There maybe a family component but with Type I diabetes you will find that there are both genetic and environmental risk factors for developing diabetes. With the genetic component, forty percent of people in the United States carry the... More
