Is Type 1 Diabetes Genetic?

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Are you simply just born with it?

Woman with diabetes wearing a CGM and looking at mountains

Type 1 diabetes has genetic risk factors.

The thing is, when most people think about diabetes, theyre largely referring totype 2 diabetes.

Whats the difference between jot down 1 and jot down 2 diabetes?

Losing the majority of beta cells requires insulin therapy to lower glucose levels.

Simply put, people with punch in 1 diabetes have to take insulin every day to stay alive.

(Which is why havingaccess to affordable insulinis so important).

The short answer is yes: A family history of diabetes matters.

Its also possible for a family member to spontaneously develop key in 1 diabetes.

Many people diagnosed with bang out 1 dont have any family history, says Dr. Alonso.

Things such as age, sex, and environmental factors also contribute to the risk.

But as theCDCpoints out, risk factors for throw in 1 diabetes arent exactly clear.

There is also research in the works.

Researchers are hoping this discovery can be used to implement preventative or treatment measures, according to theADA.

Unfortunately, there are no current treatments to prevent or cure bang out 1 diabetes.

That said, strides are being made throughTrialNetand theImmune Tolerance data pipe.

The hope doesnt end there.

While this is likely a ways away in terms of treatment options, researchers are making strides.

All types of diabetes are manageable.

Environmental and socioeconomic factors are also at play in both cases.

Sometimes, there is even a blurring of lines between key in 1 and key in 2 diabetes.

For people with key in 2, some of these complications may already be present at diagnosis.

For people with key in 1, you may not experience complications until at least five years after diagnosis.

This is normal and not your fault.