What are the chances that my siblings will develop diabetes?

[Todd]

I've recently (just over a month ago) been diagnosed with T2 diabetes. I haven't told my family yet. (I get to share this wonderful tidbit with them when I visit home for Thanksgiving this week).

One of the questions I am expecting them to ask is what this means for their chances of developing diabetes also. I mean, we all share the same genetic background (which includes alot more diabetes than I was aware of until recently), so if I've got it.. so could they, right?

Does anybody know the answer to that question? If you have diabetes, what are the chances that your siblings will develop it also?

Thanks for any help,

Todd

[Andrea]

When a first degree family member (mother, father, brother, sister, children) has type 2 diabetes, your chance of getting it is about 40%. To that, you can add or subtract based on other risk factors. Genetics is a big risk in the development of type 2, but certainly no the only one.

In comparison, a first degree family member with type 1 gives you about a 3 to 8 % chance of developing type 1 also (depending on which family member).

Andrea

[Todd]

Thanks for the information Andrea! Thats exactly what I was looking for.


Todd

[JasonSmithMT]

Todd,

Check out this link Genetics of Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2) (http://health.discovery.com/minisites/dna/diabetes.html)

Jason

[Dewey]

Welcome to the forums, Todd. I hope that your Thanksgiving weekend goes off without a hitch. :) I think Andrea stated the possibilities (of developing Type II) pretty well. We'll keep you in our hearts and thoughts, and always feel free to PM or post, and we'll be glad to help in any way we can.

Originally posted by Andrea
When a first degree family member (mother, father, brother, sister, children) has type 2 diabetes, your chance of getting it is about 40%. To that, you can add or subtract based on other risk factors. Genetics is a big risk in the development of type 2, but certainly no the only one.

In comparison, a first degree family member with type 1 gives you about a 3 to 8 % chance of developing type 1 also (depending on which family member).

Andrea

One thing that's concerning to me is that my Hubby might develop Type II. His mom had it (along with hypertension), and we recently discovered he's already following in her "genetic footsteps" (he now has high blood pressure as well). :(