Likelihood Of Getting T2

[Aldebaran]

I was chatting to my diabetic nurse and asked her about the chances of getting T2.

My mum and uncle, (her brother), got T2 a few years ago. Mum was late sixties and my uncle was mid fifties. I'm 48. My initial levels were lower than both mum's and uncle's and they are both on Gliclazides. My uncle also injects twice a day, sorry can't remember the name of the medication used for the injections at the moment.

I said to the nurse that I know my lifestyle has been shocking. (I'm overweight and haven't always eaten right), but would I have got T2 anyway. Without hesitation she said yes. I had a 40% chance of getting it because one of my parents had it and if it had been both, it would go up to 70%. I was a bit shocked to be honest.

Has anyone else been told something similar to this?

 

[Totto]

Diabetes T2 is mainly due to genes, as I understand it. Obese people without diabetes but with insulin resistance have a pancreas that can cope with the demand. And the role of insulin resistance in diabetes development seems a bit unclear.

My genetic diabetes load is heavy: Dad and all his siblings, his mum and all her siblings, and then my mum was diagnosed with diabetes in her eighties. My brother refuses to be tested but he always was a fool. And we are all normal weight, more or less.

There are a lot of genes and combinations of genes that cause diabetes. I have read that high bg in itself can damage the pancreas, not sure this is true though but it is a good thing to keep bg as close to normal as possible anyway.

 

[Aldebaran]

You definitely have a heavy load when it comes to Diabetes. My history is sparse compared to your own. I've already discussed this with my brother and sister and told them to keep a check.

I can't help but blame my lifestyle for my Diabetes in a way., but my mother and uncle had better diets than me, etc, and they ended up with it. However they were older than me. Our children at least know now so fingers crossed, they will keep an eye on themselves. They're all naturally slim but obviously, that doesn't mean they won't get it. Thanks Totto.

 

[Totto]

My advice to your children and siblings is to test after meals, a couple of times a year or so. The fasting bg test is useless for picking up diabetes early, much better to test after a carb heavy meal. Occasionally. This way they may be able to pick up any deterioration in their glucose metabolism early.

I have found this site immensely informative and helpful: http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/index.php