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Question:
With a history of her father having diabetes, are the chances of my granddaughter being a diabetic? Does she need a glucose fasting test?
Answer:
If her father is known to have Type 1 or insulin dependent
diabetes then the chances of your granddaughter getting it too is about
7%, rather less in fact if she is already 14 years old. If her father has
Type 2 diabetes or Maturity Onset Diabetes in the Young and is being
treated with diet and perhaps oral medication then her chances of
becoming diabetic are a little higher; but not till much later in life.
There is a National Diabetes Prevention Trial (DPT-1) for the first
degree relatives of individuals who have Type 1 Diabetes and the local
American Diabetes Association office could give you the telephone number
of the nearest center involved in the trial. She could then be tested for
antibodies which would be a definitive indicator of whether she might get
diabetes. It would be very important though to discuss with her doctor and
with other family members whether or not getting involved in such a test
might adversely effect her depression. A random fasting blood sugar would
not help much although if it was normal, it might be reassuring.
DO'B
Original posting 4 Mar 97
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Last Updated: Tuesday April 06, 2010 15:08:52
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