Introduction
Diabetes ranks high among the fastest-growing diseases worldwide. The projection is that by 2045, approximately 693 million adults will have diabetes.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, around 38.4 million people had diabetes as of 2021. There are various types of diabetes, including Type 1 diabetes, Prediabetes, Type 1 diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
For treatment, you can consider diet, insulin, exercise, oral diabetes medication, and blood sugar monitoring. Genetic testing for diabetes management has gained significant popularity over the years.
The Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology observes that various genomic and genetic studies have confirmed that some genetic variants are associated with a heightened risk of diabetes.
3X4 Genetics emphasizes the need to use diabetes management strategies designed to fit your genetic profile. This blog will discuss the role of genetic testing in diabetes management and its causes.
Causes of Diabetes
Regardless of the type of diabetes you have, all cases occur as a result of too much glucose circulating in the bloodstream. Certain factors increase blood glucose levels, including:
- Insulin resistance
- Autoimmune disease
- Pancreatic damage
- Hormonal imbalance
- Genetic mutations
Let’s see how genetic testing can help you deal with diabetes.
Genetic Testing In The Management Of Diabetes
The application of genetic testing to ensure an effective diagnosis is an integral component of contemporary conventional medicine. Combining clinical practice with genetic testing is helpful for your risk appraisal, decision-making on treatment, and the avoidance of diabetic complications.
3X4 Genetics explains how genetic markers influence susceptibility to diabetes and offers guidance on managing the condition. To manage diabetes, consider the following steps:
Genetic Risk Assessment and Early Interventions
You might be wondering if you can get diabetes and other diseases through hereditary factors. The Frontiers in Public Health confirms that heredity plays a significant role in developing diseases such as diabetes. To support diabetes management, genetic testing is helpful for:
Understanding Genetic Predisposition
Most people are unaware they have prediabetes. While prediabetic people have high blood sugar levels, it is not high enough to be termed as diabetes. Early detection of prediabetes prevents it from turning into diabetes.
In this case, it is imperative to identify your genetic predisposition to diabetes early, as this also creates room for early intervention. The healthcare provider collects your family history to identify hereditary patterns of diabetes. Since genes impact your glucose and insulin pathway, they interfere with your ability to regulate blood sugar levels efficiently.
As a result, this leads to insulin resistance, otherwise known as prediabetes, and ultimately, it causes Type 2 diabetes. Once you identify that you are at risk of getting diabetes, results from genetic testing allow you to incorporate early intervention strategies, including lifestyle modification.
You also need to monitor your health regularly to delay or prevent the onset of diabetes. Before you begin the process of genetic testing for diabetes management, consult with a genetic counselor to assess potential risks and the overall implications of genetic testing.
Hence, a detailed report of your genetic test and adopting a healthy lifestyle would help you keep your insulin levels in check.
Genetic Testing Methods
Genetic testing is vital as it reveals if you stand a high risk of getting diabetes. Consider the following testing methods:
Whole Exome Sequencing (WES):
The WES test helps identify rare genetic variants such as HNF1A, GCK, and HNF4A that may lead to diabetes.
Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS):
The WGS test offers a detailed analysis of the entire genome. It provides an overall picture of your genetic makeup, identifying the coding and non-coding variants that may contribute to the onset of diabetes.
Targeted Gene Panels or TGP
The TGP test diagnoses monogenic forms of diabetes like MODY on genes like GCK, HNF1A, and HNF4A.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Genotyping
The SNP test assists in identifying common genetic variants linked with the increased risk for Type 2 diabetes. It helps in the stratification process based on your genetic risk.
Customized Treatment Plans
Managing diabetes with genetic testing ensures you have information to guide you on the treatment plan to consider. 3X4 Genetics provides you with guidelines to manage all types of diabetes. This includes:
- Type 1 Diabetes Management: If you have genes that relate to the immune response, you can initiate an early intervention such as immunotherapy.
- Type 2 Diabetes Management: If you have variants that affect beta cell function and insulin resistance, consider medications such as sulfonylureas and metformin.
- Monogenic Diabetes Management: If gene mutations cause maturity-onset diabetes, such as GCK and HNF1A, tailored treatments, such as sulfonylureas, should be considered.
Family Planning and Counseling
When planning for a family, consider taking a genetic test with your partner to establish your risk of passing genetic conditions to your offspring. After the test, your genetic counselor can guide you on how your genetic makeup affects your future children.
It would be best if you had genetic counseling to get the necessary information and support for informed decision-making.
Lifestyle Modification
It would help if you lived a healthy life to lower your chances of developing diabetes. DNA insights help you understand your genetic influence over insulin response and glucose regulation. To delay or prevent diabetes, consider the following key recommendations:
- Be more active in your daily life through physical workouts to maintain a healthy weight.
- Eating a balanced diet with nutritious meals.
- Screening your health regularly.
Conclusion
Your genetic composition might increase the risk of acquiring diseases like diabetes. To find out more about your health status, it is advisable to take a genetic test. This will give you the necessary details and recommendations based on your status.
You can delay or prevent diabetes by eating healthy, exercising regularly, and taking health screens as often as possible. Be proactive to stay ahead of diabetes-related complications. To gain all the benefits of genetic testing combined with routine clinical practice, seek services from a reputable company. Consult a healthcare professional or genetic expert to advise you on the best genetic testing option.
