Sarah Howard has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.
I’m an only child and neither parent had diabetes. My grandfather on my mother’s side of the family was diagnosed with T2D five years after I was diagnosed with T1D.
Dad was a LADA in 1940, I was Dx T1 in 1964. My daughter showed as Gestational in 2000 but it has not progressed any further. Add Gestational to the Answers for accuracy
I think a question about T1’s having insulin resistance should be asked. I was T1 for 53 years, and then diagnosed with insulin resistance in 1998. There are many T1’s who have insulin resistance.
I answered “no.” But, I’m not really sure. I know my maternal grandfather developed diabetes just before he died. He was in his 70’s, but was a very thin, active man. I was young, and never found out if it was type 1 or type 2.
My paternal grandmother had type 2 diabetes so my father said. I always thought she had Type 1 gestational diabetes (Dad was born in the early 1920s). Dad said she became diabetic in her 50s though. She was a very small thin woman so its odd it was Type 2. She was on shots at least from 1960 on until her death in her 70s. No one else is diabetic on either side of my family.
Why not ask about T1D relatives? My brother and my paternal grandmother were both Late onset T1D. My brother was 23, and my grand mother was in her late 30s or early 40s. I was exactly 40 — a birthday present.
My father was diagnosed with diabetes in the early 1950’s. He was 60 years old at the time. No differentiation was made back then about different types of diabetes. He injected U40 Protomine Zinc Insulin. I developed my Type 1 diabetes at age 27, several years after Dad died after having lived with his diabetes 20+ years. Watching Dad deal day to day with his diabetes made it easier, I think, for me to accept and deal with my diagnosis.
My grandfather was diagnosed T2 when he was 75. He had a lawn business until he was 75, so activity may have slowed down the diagnosis. My Dad at 55 or so passed out at a restaurant (while waiting for food) and was taken to the hospital. There they diagnosed him as a 3-hour hypoglycemic. He has no memory of that day. The thing was they found a melanoma on his back that would’ve killed him had they not found it and treated it. So thank you hypoglycemia. My mom told him to go get it checked, but he didn’t. Today his doctor says he shows no signs of being anything diabetes related. He is the healthiest 89 year old she has ever seen. I was diagnosed with T2 at age 42. Diagnosis changed to T1 after pills did nothing for me. That was 21 years ago. I consider myself healthy until I remember I have a chronic disease. No current complications.
Both parent’s, Father dx. 2 to 3 years ago, Mother 20+ years.
Youngest brother – of us 3 siblings
Maternal 3 of 3 Uncles & 1 of 3 Aunt’s
Paternal zero relatives
My father was dx. with type 2 in his 50’s.He was prescribed one of the first oral drugs for glucose management, later removed from the market after being linked with heart disease. He died from congestive heart failure at 60.
My brother was recently diagnosed with Type 2 at age 59 (one sister & myself are Type 1). I know that his c-peptide was tested, not sure if he was tested for antibodies, but it looks like he is not Type 1. He is morbidly obese and seems unable to change his diet to help himself.
If you read the comments, some people clearly have a connection to both type 1 and type 2. The diseases themselves do not have to be linked. This is an ignorant comment.
Sahran, it’s actually a very relevant question, clinically, that is often overlooked. It is very possible for people with T1D to develop the same metabolic issues that cause Type 2 diabetes, if they’re genetically pre-disposed, have relatives with Type 2, have a sedentary lifestyle, etc. Insulin resistance is the hallmark of T2. But I’m sure you can imagine, someone with T1 who ALSO develops insulin resistance will have an even harder time managing it. In fact, “double diabetes” has become in use to describe this phenomenon. People with 1st degree relatives with T2DM are at higher risk.
My two maternal aunts have/had T2D. I was told my great-great-grandparents and aunt had diabetes. Didn’t know what type. This was the reason given that I might have T1D.
One cousin (now deceased) on my mother’s side had Type 2. I have 2 cousins once removed on my father’s side who have juvenile T1D. My sister and I have LADA.
My father at age 42 and his younger sister at age 34 were diagnosed with “adult onset insulin dependent diabetes” in the mid-1960s. Turns out they were both LADA, but it wasn’t called that back then. A maternal first cousin was diagnosed with insulin resistance and later “insulin dependent” diabetes in her late twenties after two gestational diabetes pregnancies with large weight premature deliveries in 1961 and 1963.
I have at least three Baby Boomer adult cousins of my generation, and several of their adult children on both sides, who are overweight and have been diagnosed with T2 diabetes. No other T1s besides me, my dad, his sister, and my maternal cousin. At least not yet.
My paternal aunt developed T1D in her 40’s (I developed mine at age 7 years old). She was my godmother, a very intelligent microbiologist who was certain she’d been misdiagnosed with T2D, so she called me to seek advice (I’m an RN CDCES) about approaching her MD. I felt honored to help her.
I answered 1 parent but she didn’t develop it for 50+ years after I was diagnosed.
My older brother developed type 2 at 72 years old. Many many years after I was diagnosed with type 1
I’m an only child and neither parent had diabetes. My grandfather on my mother’s side of the family was diagnosed with T2D five years after I was diagnosed with T1D.
3 of my nieces’ and nephews’ children have T1, but no other relatives.
Dad was a LADA in 1940, I was Dx T1 in 1964. My daughter showed as Gestational in 2000 but it has not progressed any further. Add Gestational to the Answers for accuracy
maternal grandfather
I have 2 aunts and 2 cousins with T2.
I think a question about T1’s having insulin resistance should be asked. I was T1 for 53 years, and then diagnosed with insulin resistance in 1998. There are many T1’s who have insulin resistance.
Parents, grandmother, great grandmother and great aunt all maternal.
I answered “no.” But, I’m not really sure. I know my maternal grandfather developed diabetes just before he died. He was in his 70’s, but was a very thin, active man. I was young, and never found out if it was type 1 or type 2.
I listed 1 child, but he is very obese and so I do not think the 2 are linked.
My paternal grandmother had type 2 diabetes so my father said. I always thought she had Type 1 gestational diabetes (Dad was born in the early 1920s). Dad said she became diabetic in her 50s though. She was a very small thin woman so its odd it was Type 2. She was on shots at least from 1960 on until her death in her 70s. No one else is diabetic on either side of my family.
Why not ask about T1D relatives? My brother and my paternal grandmother were both Late onset T1D. My brother was 23, and my grand mother was in her late 30s or early 40s. I was exactly 40 — a birthday present.
My father was diagnosed with diabetes in the early 1950’s. He was 60 years old at the time. No differentiation was made back then about different types of diabetes. He injected U40 Protomine Zinc Insulin. I developed my Type 1 diabetes at age 27, several years after Dad died after having lived with his diabetes 20+ years. Watching Dad deal day to day with his diabetes made it easier, I think, for me to accept and deal with my diagnosis.
My dad was T1D, mom T2D, and 3 siblings and a niece T1D. These are the ones I know about.
My dad had type 1. That’s all.
My grandfather was diagnosed T2 when he was 75. He had a lawn business until he was 75, so activity may have slowed down the diagnosis. My Dad at 55 or so passed out at a restaurant (while waiting for food) and was taken to the hospital. There they diagnosed him as a 3-hour hypoglycemic. He has no memory of that day. The thing was they found a melanoma on his back that would’ve killed him had they not found it and treated it. So thank you hypoglycemia. My mom told him to go get it checked, but he didn’t. Today his doctor says he shows no signs of being anything diabetes related. He is the healthiest 89 year old she has ever seen. I was diagnosed with T2 at age 42. Diagnosis changed to T1 after pills did nothing for me. That was 21 years ago. I consider myself healthy until I remember I have a chronic disease. No current complications.
Both parent’s, Father dx. 2 to 3 years ago, Mother 20+ years.
Youngest brother – of us 3 siblings
Maternal 3 of 3 Uncles & 1 of 3 Aunt’s
Paternal zero relatives
My father was dx. with type 2 in his 50’s.He was prescribed one of the first oral drugs for glucose management, later removed from the market after being linked with heart disease. He died from congestive heart failure at 60.
one cousin but she was mobidly obese since childhood
My brother was recently diagnosed with Type 2 at age 59 (one sister & myself are Type 1). I know that his c-peptide was tested, not sure if he was tested for antibodies, but it looks like he is not Type 1. He is morbidly obese and seems unable to change his diet to help himself.
Terribly ingnorant question. The two conditions are unrelated except by one symptom. Unsubscibing to this dopey site.
If you read the comments, some people clearly have a connection to both type 1 and type 2. The diseases themselves do not have to be linked. This is an ignorant comment.
Sahran, it’s actually a very relevant question, clinically, that is often overlooked. It is very possible for people with T1D to develop the same metabolic issues that cause Type 2 diabetes, if they’re genetically pre-disposed, have relatives with Type 2, have a sedentary lifestyle, etc. Insulin resistance is the hallmark of T2. But I’m sure you can imagine, someone with T1 who ALSO develops insulin resistance will have an even harder time managing it. In fact, “double diabetes” has become in use to describe this phenomenon. People with 1st degree relatives with T2DM are at higher risk.
Sahran, based on the tone of many of your comments perhaps you will be a lot happier if and when you unsubscribe from this site.
My two maternal aunts have/had T2D. I was told my great-great-grandparents and aunt had diabetes. Didn’t know what type. This was the reason given that I might have T1D.
Two second cousins have type 2 and are on insulin and metformin.
1 grandparent had Type 2 diabetes – in old age. That’s it. I am the only family member on both sides of the family to have T1D.
One cousin (now deceased) on my mother’s side had Type 2. I have 2 cousins once removed on my father’s side who have juvenile T1D. My sister and I have LADA.
My father at age 42 and his younger sister at age 34 were diagnosed with “adult onset insulin dependent diabetes” in the mid-1960s. Turns out they were both LADA, but it wasn’t called that back then. A maternal first cousin was diagnosed with insulin resistance and later “insulin dependent” diabetes in her late twenties after two gestational diabetes pregnancies with large weight premature deliveries in 1961 and 1963.
I have at least three Baby Boomer adult cousins of my generation, and several of their adult children on both sides, who are overweight and have been diagnosed with T2 diabetes. No other T1s besides me, my dad, his sister, and my maternal cousin. At least not yet.
My paternal aunt developed T1D in her 40’s (I developed mine at age 7 years old). She was my godmother, a very intelligent microbiologist who was certain she’d been misdiagnosed with T2D, so she called me to seek advice (I’m an RN CDCES) about approaching her MD. I felt honored to help her.
One sibling and one first cousin.