Huntingtons Disease parental question?
Todd G
Huntingtons is a very rare disease, My father has been diagnosed with it. The facts say that there is a 50% chance of it being passed on to the children from the parents. So my question mainly is, does this mean if my parents started having children at a young age, and Huntingtons doesnt really show up until your in your 40′s normally, would that mean I have any less of a chance of getting it? and they had 4 of us kids, so does that mean I being the youngest, have less of a chance as well…or is it all still 50% chance…I dont get it
I’m very sorry to hear about your fathers condition.
Huntington’s normally showws up in a person’s 40′s regardless of parents age when giving birth.
You each have a 50/50 chance.
You can have genetic testing done to see if you indeed have it.
Hi Todd,
My father also had HD, and I tested gene a couple of years ago. To answer your question, those other factors don’t matter… you have a 50% chance of having HD, no matter what. If you’re looking for answers, there’s a wonderful community of people that are connected with HD at wearehd.org. Good luck!
The birth order will not determine who has the disease.
I don’t think that it’s a matter of “getting the disease”, I think that you either have it or you don’t. You may not be showing any signs of the disease right now, but you could still have it.
A co-workers wife has this disease and she started developing the signs when she was about 25 and I think that she’s 33 or 34 now and she is doing suprisingly well (able to carry a conversation; is still driving a car; etc.). The key is finding the right doctor.
If you really want to know, you could have some genetic testing done. It’s a double edged sword. Do you really want to know at this point in your life—-it could be a relief or it could throw you into depression. I would seriously consider the genetic testing BEFORE making the decision to have children.
I am so sorry that you and your family are going through this. Huntington’s is a cruel, cruel disease.