Is Diabetes Hereditary? Diabetes Screening
“Is diabetes hereditary?” If so, what is the hereditary rate? This is a concern for many people with diabetes or those who have family members with diabetes. The following article by Gluzabet will help you answer these questions.
Contents
What Causes Diabetes?
There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. The causes of each type differ.
- Type 1 diabetes is caused by a deficiency of the hormone insulin, leading to glucose metabolism disorders.
- Type 2 diabetes results from the reduced function of the hormone insulin.
So, is diabetes hereditary? Do the hereditary rates differ between type 1 and type 2 diabetes? Read on to find out the answers!
Is Diabetes Hereditary?
Science has proven that diabetes can be hereditary. However, this possibility is not solely determined by genetic factors but also by environmental influences. Therefore, to answer the question “Is diabetes hereditary?” we must consider both factors.
Hereditary Rate of Type 1 Diabetes
Most cases of type 1 diabetes in children inherit genetic factors from both parents. This is more common among white people, who have the highest rate of type 1 diabetes.
Hereditary Rate of Type 1 Diabetes
- If the father has type 1 diabetes, the child’s risk of developing type 1 diabetes is 1/17.
- If the mother has type 1 diabetes and gives birth before age 25, the child’s risk is 1/25. If the mother gives birth after age 25, the rate decreases to 1/100.
- If both parents have type 1 diabetes, the child’s risk of developing type 1 diabetes ranges from 1/10 to 1/4.
- Additionally, if the parents have type 2 polyglandular autoimmune syndrome (on average, 1 in 7 people with type 1 diabetes will have this syndrome), the risk of the child developing type 1 diabetes and other conditions like thyroid, adrenal insufficiency, and immune disorders is 1/2.
Other Factors Affecting the Hereditary Rate of Type 1 Diabetes
- Environmental factors can also influence the onset of type 1 diabetes: Type 1 diabetes tends to appear more in winter than in summer and is more common in colder climates.
- Certain viruses can trigger the genes responsible for type 1 diabetes in some patients.
- Postnatal diet is also related to type 1 diabetes. Specifically, children who are breastfed for the first six months and introduced to solid foods later have a lower risk than others.
Hereditary Rate of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is hereditary within families, partly due to genetic causes. Additionally, environmental factors such as an unhealthy lifestyle and obesity can also contribute to the progression of type 2 diabetes.
According to the American Diabetes Association, the rates of children developing type 2 diabetes if a parent has the condition are as follows:
- If the father or mother has type 2 diabetes before age 50, the child’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes is 1/7.
- If both parents have type 2 diabetes, the child’s risk is 1/2.
- If the father or mother develops diabetes after age 50, the child’s risk is 1/13.
However, it is difficult to determine whether the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is due to heredity or lifestyle if a family member has the condition. It is likely due to both factors.
From the above analysis, the answer to “Is diabetes hereditary?” is YES.
Genes Related to Type 2 Diabetes
The hereditary rate of type 2 diabetes in children due to genetic factors is higher than that of type 1 diabetes. Currently, scientists are researching to identify specific gene mutations causing type 2 diabetes to enable early prevention and screening.
Generally, these gene mutations are related to the regulation of glucose and insulin, including:
- Genes controlling insulin levels, insulin production, glucose, and the body’s sensitivity to glucose levels.
- Other related genes such as the Ure Sulfonylurea receptor (ABCC8), which regulates insulin, the glucagon receptor (GCGR), and the glucagon hormone that regulates glucose, the glucose transporter 2 gene (GLUT2), and the TCF7L2 gene related to insulin secretion and glucose production.
However, it should be noted that among the gene mutations increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, none independently cause the disease. Therefore, the environmental impacts (food, toxins, viruses, etc.) that trigger the genetic predisposition cannot be overlooked.
Genetic Testing and Diabetes Screening
Type 1 Diabetes Screening
Currently, scientists are still researching ways to predict the likelihood of developing type 1 diabetes. Some results indicate:
- Most white patients with type 1 diabetes have the HLA-DR3 or HLA-DR4 genes.
- African Americans with the HLA-DR7 gene have a higher risk of type 1 diabetes than normal.
- Japanese individuals have an increased risk if they possess the HLA-DR9 gene.
Additionally, other tests can determine the risk of type 1 diabetes, such as testing the body’s response to glucose, measuring antibodies against insulin, pancreatic islet cells, or glutamic acid decarboxylase.
Type 2 Diabetes Screening
With scientific advancements, some genetic mutation tests related to type 2 diabetes have been developed. However, their accuracy in determining hereditary diabetes remains low.
Some factors to consider for diagnosing the hereditary risk of type 2 diabetes include:
- High blood pressure.
- Family history of type 2 diabetes.
- Body mass index (BMI).
- History of gestational diabetes.
- Increased blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
To date, accurately testing and assessing this hereditary risk remains challenging. The risk of developing diabetes due to specific gene mutations is not high, and not everyone with these mutations will develop the disease. Moreover, evaluating the interaction between genetic factors and environmental influences poses significant difficulties.
However, this also means that you can significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetes by adopting a healthy, scientific lifestyle. This helps better control blood sugar levels and delays or prevents the onset of the disease.
Preventing Hereditary Diabetes
To prevent the progression of diabetes and improve health, you should adopt a scientific lifestyle, including:
- Building a healthy diet, rich in fiber and low in fat, with fruits and vegetables. Limit foods high in starch, sugar, and fats.
- Spend at least 30 minutes daily on physical exercise to improve health.
- Maintain a moderate weight, avoiding obesity or excessive weight loss that can lead to hypoglycemia.
- Avoid stress and manage tension.
- Quit harmful habits like drinking alcohol and smoking.
- Regular health check-ups to detect and treat diseases early.
The above information answers the question “Is diabetes hereditary?” shared by Gluzabet. Hopefully, this information has provided you with useful knowledge to screen for diabetes early and build a healthy lifestyle to combat diabetes. For more information, please contact Gluzabet through the hotline or visit our website at https://gluzabet.com.vn for answers.
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