Type 2 diabetes does have a strong genetic link. However,in most cases, Type 2 diabetes can be prevented with a healthy diet, maintaining normal weight, and exercise, so it isn’t a huge issue. If his family has a RARE form of Type 2 called MODY, the risk is about 50% of passing it on. In this case, see a genetic counsellor. In most cases, children NEVER have to get Type 2 if they maintain a healthy lifestyle.

If it’s autoimmune Type 1 diabetes you are concerned about (the severe non-preventable kind that always requires insulin), then the risk is usually 2-5% for a mother passing it on, and 7% for a father passing it on. The risk of BOTH parents having Type 1 is about a 30% chance of passing it on. I assume the risk for you would be in the range of 30% up to even 50% if there is a large family history of Type 1 diabtes and other autoimmune diseases, especially on both sides. It’s a bit of a grey area. The risk is much higher than the general population risk for Type 1 diabetes (.5%), but not 100%.

There is a study called TRIGR that is looking at ways to prevent Type 1 in infants at risk. You can ask your doctor or go to their website.

Putting your infant on a gluten (wheat, barley, oats) and casein (cow’s milk) free diet from birth may help delay or prevent Type 1 diabetes in *some* infants. The data is inconclusive on this, but in your case it can’t hurt. In the TRIGR study, infants are fed a special formula in which the whole casein proteins are broken down.

I would also suggest you see a genetic counsellor.
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Pre-Med student