Genetics play a role in type 1 diabetes. You may be more likely to develop this autoimmune condition if you have a parent or immediate family member with a diagnosis.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.

Insulin is the hormone responsible for moving glucose into the cells. Without insulin, the body can’t regulate blood sugar levels, which can lead to long-term complications affecting your heart, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

Researchers don’t fully understand how and why this condition develops, but they do know that genetics play a role in type 1 diabetes along with other non-genetic risk factors.

Genetic predisposition is thought to be a major risk factor in the development of type 1 diabetes.

This can include both family history and the presence of certain genes. People with more of these genes may be at higher risk for the autoimmune condition, though other factors may also play a role along with genetics.

People who have more than 50 genes may be at higher risk of this condition.

Family history

As with many health conditions, having a family history of type 1 diabetes may increase the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. People who have a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes may be at higher risk.

According to the American Diabetes Association, a child’s risk of developing type 1 diabetes can be as high as 1 in 4 if both parents have the condition.

That risk is the same for adults who have direct family members by blood with existing type 1 diabetes.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules

The MHC is a group of genes found in humans and animals that aids the immune system in recognizing foreign organisms.

The basis for modern research is how researchers found that the presence of MHC molecules on certain chromosomes is a precursor to the development of type 1 diabetes.

Circulating autoantibodies

The presence of antibodies is a natural, necessary immune system response to foreign threats. However, the presence of autoantibodies indicates that the body is producing an autoimmune response to its own healthy cells.

Older studies have shown the presence of several different types of autoantibodies in people with type 1 diabetes.

While genetics may be a primary risk factor in the development of type 1 diabetes, there are a handful of outside factors that have been thought to trigger the autoimmune reaction associated with this condition.

Some researchers believe other possible causes may involve cold weather or a virus or illness, both of which may make their bodies more susceptible to T1D.

This is a major focus of research into type 1, what causes it, and how that could eventually lead to curing the condition.

Although type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes may seem similar, they are separate conditions.

  • With type 1 diabetes, the body can’t produce insulin due to the destruction of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This condition is an autoimmune disorder caused primarily by genetic factors.
  • With type 2 diabetes, the body does not use insulin effectively (this is called insulin resistance) and, in some cases, may be unable to produce enough insulin. Lifestyle factors and genetics are tied to this condition.

While type 1 diabetes has genetic risk factors, there are also related risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including family history, age, and race.

Researchers are interested in the causes of type 1 diabetes and how genes play a role in its development. They are especially concerned about finding a cure or developing new treatments to manage the condition.

This 2024 research points to genetic disposition as an important consideration for future possibilities for those with type 1 diabetes.

Gut health is another research area shaped by genetics and one that could lead to new therapies and approaches to managing diabetes.

Do you know the truth behind these common diabetes myths?

Type 1 diabetes is part of a complicated set of disorders, and there are quite a few common misconceptions about this condition.

Here are some of the most common myths and truths about type 1 diabetes.

Myth: Type 1 diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar.
Truth: Type 1 diabetes is primarily genetic in origin, and there’s no research to suggest that eating too much sugar is a risk factor for diabetes.

Myth: Type 1 diabetes is caused by having obesity or overweight.
Truth: While weight and diet are risk factors for type 2 diabetes, scientific evidence does not suggest that the development of type 1 diabetes is tied to your weight.

Myth: Type 1 diabetes can be reversed or cured.
Truth: No cure exists for type 1 diabetes. Children can’t outgrow this condition, and taking insulin as a treatment for this condition won’t cure it. Pancreas and islet cell transplantation have become more possible in recent years, but this is rare and still not common enough to be considered a large-scale cure for people with diabetes.

Myth: Only children get type 1 diabetes.
Truth: You can receive a diagnosis of type 1 at any age. While this was once referred to as “juvenile diabetes” until the early 1990s, that is an outdated term that no longer applies. In fact, more than half of people with new T1D diagnoses are adults.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition thought to be greatly influenced by genetic factors and triggered by outside factors.

Certain genes, such as those relating to the function of the immune system, have been linked to an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Outside factors, such as exposure to viruses and living in certain climates, have also been suggested to trigger autoimmunity in this condition.

If you or your child has type 1 diabetes, learning how to manage your condition can greatly improve your overall quality of life.