Type 2 and Heredity

Hi. I was curious about that state of reseacrh on Type 2 and just how much of it is genetic susceptibility? My mother and two of her sisters have/had (sisters passed away one from cancer one from the diabetes complications that she was constanly hospitalized for) type 2 though none of them is/was overweight and two were not particurlarly sedentary. Is there a propensity for some people to develop type 2 even if they are otherwise fit and healthy? Does hypothyroidism ( common in the family) play a rolel of any kind in the development of type 2?

[Anita Ramsetty, MD]

Hi,
There is quite alot of research right now into the genetic susceptibility for Type 2 diabetes and what we know is that there are many genes involved, not just one or two like some other diseases where you can test for it early on. I do not think anyone is using the genetic tests for Type 2 just yet because they are not specific enough. but there IS a familial tendency for type 2 even outside of obesity. There is also ethnic differences that influence what  is "overweight" and puts you at risk for diabetes. lastly on the thyroid issue, if you have a low thyroid this tends to encourage weight gain and thus puts you at risk for type 2 diabetes.  It also afects metabolism overall. Hope this answers your questions! Take care,
Anita Ramsetty,MD

[kitcurious]

Thanks very much for the response.  I have a BMI of 18.7, so I doubt I am overweight for any ethnicity , but once again, thanks for the input.

[Anita Ramsetty, MD]

You're welcome!

[pelusa]

We were 11 kids 5 sisters 6 brothers NONE of us were overweigth I lost 2  sister and brother complications of this #%$^@ disease, she was 29 left a baby 2 years old ,this was 27 years ago,my brother was single 37 years old ,til now we all are slim ,I'm 5'7 ,146lbs , it really make me upset when people assume the every single diabetic person is overweigth,I wish there were more info about it ,in my case if I loose weigth I probably soon disapear.   thank u for allow us to use this site to vent , as u know by now our diabetes is HEREDITARY.

[Anita Ramsetty, MD]

Vent all you wish! You are right, not every diabetic is overweight or obese.
take care of yourself.