Type 1 diabetes has a genetic component, but it is not passed directly from parent to child in a simple way. Certain genes increase the chance that the immune system will attack the pancreas, yet most people who develop type 1 diabetes do not have a family history of the disease .
These genes are mainly related to how the immune system works, and they create a higher “tendency” rather than a guarantee. Environmental factors, such as viral infections, seem to act together with this genetic tendency and help trigger the condition in people who are predisposed.
Type 1 diabetes can appear in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood, and it is often diagnosed when symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss suddenly become noticeable. Having a close relative with type 1 diabetes raises lifetime risk, but the overall chance of developing the disease is still relatively low. Read more about the symptoms of diabetes and how they can present.
Anyone with signs of high blood sugar or concerns about family risk should be evaluated by a primary care provider or an endocrinologist. Self-medication or adjusting insulin or other diabetes medicines without medical supervision can be dangerous, and regular follow-up is essential to keep blood sugar under control and prevent complications.