Why this topic Continuous glucose monitors put a number people used to see once a year in front of them every few minutes, and the question that follows is always whether the number is theirs by inheritance. Mostly it is not: the same genes have been in the population throughout a period when the disease became several times more common.
Source: Mahajan et al., Nature Genetics 2018 — fine-mapping of type 2 diabetes loci
In the news
2026-06-01 · Brito Nunes C, et al., Nature Communications 2026, PMID:42225636
Up to 38,305 women with gestational diabetes and 776,145 controls: 37 loci, 7 new, all acting through the mother's genome. Every locus overlaps type 2 diabetes or glycaemic traits outside pregnancy, but 12 variants have stronger effects in gestational diabetes and MTNR1B's effect is amplified in pregnancy. Seven of the positions are on this site, including rs560887 (G6PC2) and rs849134 (JAZF1).
2026-05-22 · Sinnott-Armstrong N, et al., Nature Communications 2026, PMID:42173832
Genetic variants affect diurnal glucose levels throughout the day
Using the time of day each blood sample was taken in about 420,000 UK Biobank participants, with replication in four other biobanks, the study shows glucose levels are under diurnal genetic control. The two robust time-dependent signals are at MTNR1B, the melatonin receptor, and CRY2, a core clock gene; both independently change type 2 diabetes risk. Those two positions are not on this site yet; 21 others from the study are, including rs560887 (G6PC2) and rs34872471 (TCF7L2).
2026-04-29 · Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular Institute & Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, published in JACC (245,394 All of Us participants; validated in a separate 53,306-person biobank cohort)
One of the 8 conditions in this new clinical polygenic risk report is type 2 diabetes: people in the top 10% of genetic risk were 3.1x more likely to develop it than those at average risk, in a score trained on 245,394 All of Us participants and validated in a separate 53,306-person biobank. The test is now clinically available through Mass General Brigham's Laboratory for Molecular Medicine and Broad Clinical Labs -- a risk score, not a diagnosis or treatment.
From our blog
What this topic connects to
Solid lines are connections this site curates. Dashed lines mean the two ends share a research paper — worth knowing, and not a claim that one explains the other.
Variants that share a paper with this
Counted in Europe PMC, where the title or abstract names both this topic and that rsID. The number is papers, not evidence of a cause.
rs9939609
FTO
Menarche (age at onset)
95 papers →rs2237892
KCNQ1
Type 2 diabetes
73 papers →rs8050136
FTO
Type 2 diabetes
65 papers →rs780094
GCKR
Uric acid levels
64 papers →rs7901695
TCF7L2
Type 2 diabetes
46 papers →rs1801133
MTHFR
Folate metabolism (MTHFR C677T)
34 papers →rs2237897
KCNQ1
Type 2 diabetes
31 papers →rs1470579
IGF2BP2
Type 2 diabetes
27 papers →rs1799884
GCK
Glycated hemoglobin levels
27 papers →rs560887
G6PC2
Fasting plasma glucose
27 papers →rs864745
JAZF1
Type 2 diabetes
26 papers →rs1421085
FTO
Obesity
25 papers →rs429358
APOE
Lewy body disease
23 papers →rs182052
ADIPOQ
Adiponectin levels
21 papers →rs5215
KCNJ11
Type 2 diabetes
21 papers →rs12970134
MC4R
Waist circumference and related phenotypes
19 papers →rs11212617
ATM
Response to metformin in type 2 diabetes (glycemic)
18 papers →rs6265
BDNF
Smoking behavior
18 papers →rs7578597
THADA
Type 2 diabetes
17 papers →rs662799
APOA5
Triglyceride levels
16 papers →rs11708067
ADCY5
Body mass index and fasting glucose (pairwise)
15 papers →rs7961581
LGR5
Type 2 diabetes
15 papers →rs10938397
GNPDA2
Obesity
13 papers →rs11558471
SLC30A8
Proinsulin levels
13 papers →rs2070600
AGER
Pulmonary function
13 papers →rs2282679
GC
Vitamin D levels
13 papers →rs4988235
MCM6 / LCT
Lactose tolerance
13 papers →rs5498
ICAM1
Soluble ICAM-1
13 papers →rs8099917
IL29
Chronic hepatitis C infection
13 papers →rs10923931
NOTCH2
Type 2 diabetes
12 papers →rs1800437
GIPR
Obesity
12 papers →rs671
ALDH2
Alcohol flush reaction
12 papers →rs10423928
GIPR
Obesity
11 papers →rs1552224
CENTD2
Type 2 diabetes
11 papers →rs1801131
MTHFR
Folate metabolism (MTHFR A1298C)
11 papers →rs340874
PROX1
Psoriasis or type 2 diabetes (trans-disease meta-analysis)(opposite effect)
11 papers →rs174550
FTH1
Plasma omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels (linoleic acid)
10 papers →rs9282541
ABCA1
HDL cholesterol
10 papers →rs964184
ZNF259
Triglyceride levels
10 papers →rs1558902
FTO
Obesity
9 papers →rs231362
KCNQ1
Type 2 diabetes
9 papers →rs4149056
SLCO1B1
Statin muscle-side-effect risk
9 papers →rs10886471
GRK5
Type 2 diabetes
8 papers →rs6235
PCSK1
Proinsulin levels
8 papers →rs762551
CYP1A2
Caffeine metabolism
8 papers →rs9472138
VEGFA
Thyroid hormone levels
8 papers →rs1229984
ADH1B
Alcohol metabolism speed
7 papers →rs2074356
C12orf51
Renal function-related traits (BUN)
7 papers →rs4420638
APOE
LDL cholesterol
7 papers →rs12208357
LPA
Cholesterol, total
6 papers →rs1800469
TGFB1
Colorectal cancer
6 papers →rs1800961
HNF4A
C-reactive protein levels
6 papers →rs3802177
SLC30A8
Type 2 diabetes
6 papers →rs4712524
CDKAL1
Type 2 diabetes
6 papers →rs5945326
DUSP9
Type 2 diabetes
6 papers →rs9930506
FTO
Obesity-related traits
6 papers →rs10455872
LPA
Parental lifespan (LPA, lipoprotein(a))
5 papers →rs10838738
MTCH2
Body mass index
5 papers →rs10937273
ADIPOQ
Adiponectin levels
5 papers →rs17366568
ADIPOQ
Adiponectin levels
5 papers →rs174547
FADS1
Metabolite levels
5 papers →rs1799964
HLA-DQA2
Crohn's disease
5 papers →rs198389
NPPB
B-type natriuretic peptide levels
5 papers →rs3764261
CETP
HDL cholesterol
5 papers →rs5370
EDN1
Circulating vasoactive peptide levels
5 papers →rs693
APOB
Cholesterol, total
5 papers →rs7578326
IRS1
Modified Stumvoll Insulin Sensitivity Index (model adjusted for BMI)
5 papers →rs10401969
NCAN
LDL cholesterol
4 papers →rs1050828
G6PD
G6PD deficiency (G6PD A-)
4 papers →rs10906115
CDC123
Type 2 diabetes
4 papers →rs1648707
ADIPOQ
Adiponectin levels
4 papers →rs1800562
HFE
Iron overload risk (hereditary hemochromatosis)
4 papers →rs268
LPL
Metabolic syndrome
4 papers →rs4410790
AGR3
Urinary albumin excretion
4 papers →rs459193
ANKRD55
Waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index
4 papers →rs4812829
HNF4A
Type 2 diabetes
4 papers →rs6567160
near MC4R
Childhood obesity
4 papers →rs6813195
TMEM154
Type 2 diabetes
4 papers →rs7957197
HNF1A
Type 2 diabetes
4 papers →rs10146997
NRXN3
Waist circumference
3 papers →rs10195252
COBLL1
Triglycerides
3 papers →rs10738760
KCNV2
Vascular endothelial growth factor levels
3 papers →rs11634397
ZFAND6
Type 2 diabetes
3 papers →rs11722228
SLC2A9
Urate levels
3 papers →rs12229654
MYL2
Alcohol consumption
3 papers →rs12696304
TERC
Telomere length
3 papers →rs13429458
ZFP36L2
Polycystic ovary syndrome
3 papers →rs17106184
FAF1
Type 2 diabetes
3 papers →rs174546
FADS1
HDL cholesterol
3 papers →rs174583
FADS2
QT interval
3 papers →rs1799945
HFE
Iron overload risk (HFE H63D)
3 papers →rs1805096
LEPR
C-reactive protein
3 papers →rs2470893
ARID3B
Caffeine metabolism (plasma 1,7-dimethylxanthine (paraxanthine) to 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine (caffeine) ratio)
3 papers →rs2479409
PCSK9
LDL cholesterol
3 papers →rs2972146
IRS1
Triglycerides
3 papers →rs333
CCR5
HIV-1 resistance (CCR5-delta32)
3 papers →rs3736228
LRP5
Bone mineral density
3 papers →rs4343
ACE
Angiotensin-converting enzyme activity
3 papers →rs4846914
GALNT2
HDL cholesterol
3 papers →rs572169
GHSR
Height
3 papers →rs6769511
IGF2BP2
Type 2 diabetes
3 papers →rs7647305
SFRS10
Body mass index
3 papers →rs780093
GCKR
Crohn's disease
3 papers →rs887829
UGT1A1
Bilirubin levels
3 papers →rs9356744
CDKAL1
Body mass index
3 papers →rs987237
TFAP2B
Adiposity
3 papers →rs1046896
FN3K
Glycated hemoglobin levels
2 papers →rs10814916
GLIS3
Type 2 diabetes
2 papers →rs10818854
DENND1A
Polycystic ovary syndrome
2 papers →rs10965250
CDKN2A
Type 2 diabetes
2 papers →rs10968576
LINGO2
Obesity
2 papers →rs11209026
IL23R
Crohn's disease
2 papers →rs1183910
HNF1A
C-reactive protein levels
2 papers →rs12130333
DOCK7
Triglycerides
2 papers →rs12413409
CNNM2
Intracranial aneurysm
2 papers →rs12437854
MCTP2
Type 1 diabetes nephropathy
2 papers →rs12571751
ZMIZ1
Type 2 diabetes
2 papers →rs12576239
KCNQ1
QT interval
2 papers →rs12740374
CELSR2
LDL cholesterol
2 papers →rs12931267
MC1R
Hair color
2 papers →rs13129697
SLC2A9
Urate levels
2 papers →rs13389219
COBLL1
Waist-hip ratio
2 papers →rs141640975
CUBN
Urinary albumin excretion
2 papers →rs1530440
c10orf107
Diastolic blood pressure
2 papers →rs16926246
HK1
Hemoglobin
2 papers →rs16948048
PHB
Diastolic blood pressure
2 papers →rs17277546
CYP3A4
Metabolic traits
2 papers →rs17319721
SHROOM3
Renal function and chronic kidney disease
2 papers →rs17367504
NPPA
Systolic blood pressure
2 papers →rs17376456
KIAA0825
Diabetic retinopathy
2 papers →rs1834481
BCO2
Interleukin-18 levels
2 papers →rs1990760
IFIH1
Type 1 diabetes
2 papers →rs2000999
HPR
LDL cholesterol
2 papers →rs2107595
HDAC9
Stroke (ischemic)
2 papers →rs2241423
MAP2K5
Body mass index
2 papers →rs2241880
ATG16L1
Crohn's disease
2 papers →rs2287019
GIPR
Body mass index
2 papers →rs247617
CETP
HDL cholesterol
2 papers →rs2605100
LYPLAL1
Adiposity
2 papers →rs2650000
LEF1
Metabolic traits
2 papers →rs26528
RABEP2
Inflammatory bowel disease
2 papers →rs2681472
ATP2B1
Hypertension
2 papers →rs2896019
PARVB
Hematological and biochemical traits
2 papers →rs2954029
TRIB1
Triglycerides
2 papers →rs3093030
ICAM-1
Soluble levels of adhesion molecules
2 papers →rs3798220
LPA
Coronary heart disease
2 papers →rs3802842
POU2AF3
Colorectal cancer
2 papers →rs3807989
CAV1
PR interval
2 papers →rs3812316
MLXIPL
Triglycerides
2 papers →rs3825807
ADAMTS7
Coronary heart disease
2 papers →rs439401
APOC2
Triglycerides
2 papers →rs4523957
SGSM2
Schizophrenia
2 papers →rs4820599
GGT1
Liver enzyme levels
2 papers →rs4986893
CYP2C19
CYP2C19 *3 — clopidogrel activation
2 papers →rs505922
ABO
Pancreatic cancer
2 papers →rs626283
MBOAT7
Cirrhosis (alcohol related)
2 papers →rs6511720
LDLR
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 activity and mass
2 papers →rs6834314
HSD17B13
Liver enzyme levels (alanine transaminase)
2 papers →rs6857
PVRL2
Dementia and core Alzheimer's disease neuropathologic changes
2 papers →rs6983267
POU5F1B
Prostate cancer
2 papers →rs74019828
CSNK2A2
Telomere length
2 papers →rs7583877
AFF3
Type 1 diabetes nephropathy
2 papers →rs776746
CYP3A5
CYP3A5 expression (*3 allele)
2 papers →rs849135
JAZF1
Type 2 diabetes
2 papers →rs9936385
FTO
Type 2 diabetes
2 papers →rs10033464
PITX2
Atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter
1 paper →rs1011970
CDKN2A
Breast cancer
1 paper →rs10245353
NFE2L3
Waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index
1 paper →rs1042034
APOB
Triglycerides
1 paper →rs1042725
HMGA2
Head circumference (infant)
1 paper →rs10468017
LIPC
HDL cholesterol
1 paper →rs1046875
FN3K
Glycated hemoglobin levels
1 paper →rs1047891
CPS1
Plasma homocysteine levels (post-methionine load test)
1 paper →rs1048886
C6orf57
Type 2 diabetes
1 paper →rs10499194
TNFAIP3
Rheumatoid arthritis
1 paper →rs10517086
near RBPJ
Type 1 diabetes
1 paper →rs1052536
LIG3
QT interval
1 paper →rs1054564
PGPEP1
Growth differentiation factor-15 levels
1 paper →rs1055144
NFE2L3
Waist-hip ratio
1 paper →rs10795668
GATA3
Colorectal cancer
1 paper →rs1084651
LPA
HDL cholesterol
1 paper →rs11030104
BDNF
Body mass index
1 paper →rs11065987
TRAFD1
Hemoglobin
1 paper →rs11066015
ACAD10
Esophageal cancer
1 paper →rs1106766
INHBC
Urate levels
1 paper →rs1112718
HHEX
Multiple sclerosis
1 paper →rs11191548
NT5C2
Systolic blood pressure
1 paper →rs1142345
TPMT
TPMT *3C — thiopurine tolerance
1 paper →rs11564258
MUC19
Crohn's disease
1 paper →rs11773845
CAV1/2
Atrial fibrillation
1 paper →rs11889341
STAT4
Systemic lupus erythematosus
1 paper →rs12029454
NOS1AP
QT interval
1 paper →rs12149832
FTO
Body mass index (SNP x SNP interaction)
1 paper →rs12150660
SHBG
Testosterone levels
1 paper →rs12203592
IRF4
Freckling & sun sensitivity
1 paper →rs12219125
near PLXDC2
Diabetic retinopathy
1 paper →rs12286037
APOC3
Triglycerides
1 paper →rs12340987
NTRK2
Birth weight
1 paper →rs12446632
GPRC5B
Obesity
1 paper →rs12478601
ZFP36L2
Polycystic ovary syndrome
1 paper →rs12504628
HHIP
Pulmonary function
1 paper →rs12526453
PHACTR1
Coronary heart disease
1 paper →rs12708716
KIAA0350
Type 1 diabetes
1 paper →rs12936587
RASD1
Coronary heart disease
1 paper →rs12946454
ACBD4
Systolic blood pressure
1 paper →rs13078807
CADM2
Obesity
1 paper →rs1330
NUCB2
Height
1 paper →rs1412239
LINGO2
Obesity
1 paper →rs144360241
CUBN
Urinary albumin excretion
1 paper →rs1469039
KCNK9
Menarche (age at onset)
1 paper →rs1659258
THNSL2
Visceral fat
1 paper →rs16969681
near SCG5
Colorectal cancer
1 paper →rs17046216
SC4MOL
Insulin-related traits
1 paper →rs17178006
MSRB3
Hippocampal volume
1 paper →rs17249754
ATP2B1
Blood pressure
1 paper →rs17251221
CASR
Calcium levels
1 paper →rs173539
CETP
HDL Cholesterol - Triglycerides (HDLC-TG)
1 paper →rs1746048
CXCL12
Myocardial infarction (early onset)
1 paper →rs17608766
GOSR2
QRS duration
1 paper →rs17823642
BHMT2
Metabolite levels
1 paper →rs1799969
ICAM1
Soluble ICAM-1
1 paper →rs1799971
OPRM1
Opioid receptor sensitivity
1 paper →rs1815739
ACTN3
Muscle fiber type ("sprinter gene")
1 paper →rs2014355
ACADS
Metabolite levels
1 paper →rs2043085
LIPC
Lipid traits
1 paper →rs206936
HMGA1
Body mass index
1 paper →rs2072134
OAS3
Alcohol consumption
1 paper →rs2081687
CYP7A1
Cholesterol, total
1 paper →rs2097677
IL6
C-reactive protein
1 paper →rs2110073
PHB2
Red blood cell fatty acid levels
1 paper →rs2112347
C5orf37
Obesity
1 paper →rs2115763
BCO2
Interleukin-18 levels
1 paper →rs2236212
ELOVL2
Plasma omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels (docosahexaenoic acid)
1 paper →rs2240466
MLXIPL
Triglycerides
1 paper →rs2242652
TERT
Prostate cancer
1 paper →rs2277027
ADAM19
Pulmonary function
1 paper →rs2423279
PLCB1
Colorectal cancer
1 paper →rs2542151
PTPN2
Crohn's disease
1 paper →rs2641348
ADAM30
Crohn's disease
1 paper →rs2727270
FTH1
Plasma omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels (linoleic acid)
1 paper →rs2736098
ZDHHC11
Pancreatic cancer
1 paper →rs2736100
TERT
Lung adenocarcinoma
1 paper →rs2890652
LRP1B
Body mass index
1 paper →rs2903692
KIAA0350
Type 1 diabetes
1 paper →rs3024505
IL10
Ulcerative colitis
1 paper →rs3077
HLA-DPA1
Hepatitis B
1 paper →rs3101336
NEGR1
Obesity
1 paper →rs326
SLC18A1
Triglycerides
1 paper →rs35198068
TCF7L2
Psoriasis or type 2 diabetes (trans-disease meta-analysis)
1 paper →rs3751599
CYP19A1
Height
1 paper →rs3755157
G6PC2
Glycated hemoglobin levels
1 paper →rs3760776
NRTN
N-glycan levels
1 paper →rs3821236
STAT4
Systemic sclerosis
1 paper →rs3829251
NADSYN1
Vitamin D levels
1 paper →rs4065321
CSF3
White blood cell count
1 paper →rs4244285
CYP2C19
CYP2C19 *2 — clopidogrel activation
1 paper →rs4374383
MERTK
Hepatitis C induced liver fibrosis
1 paper →rs4385527
C9orf3
Atrial fibrillation
1 paper →rs4733781
ASAP1
Tuberculosis
1 paper →rs4759277
LRP1
Colorectal cancer or advanced adenoma
1 paper →rs4775041
LIPC
Triglycerides
1 paper →rs4788099
TUFM
Body fat percentage
1 paper →rs4929949
RPL27A
Body mass index
1 paper →rs494453
RAP1A
Osteoporosis-related phenotypes
1 paper →rs506338
SLC22A12
Urate levels
1 paper →rs574367
SEC16B
Body mass index
1 paper →rs579459
ABO
Soluble E-selectin levels
1 paper →rs602662
FUT2
Pediatric autoimmune diseases
1 paper →rs603424
SCD
Metabolic traits
1 paper →rs6227
FURIN
Trauma exposure
1 paper →rs6581612
WIF1
Hippocampal volume
1 paper →rs6742078
UGT1A1
Bilirubin levels
1 paper →rs675209
RREB1
Urate levels
1 paper →rs6784615
NISCH
Waist-hip ratio
1 paper →rs6842241
EDNRA
Intracranial aneurysm
1 paper →rs6855911
GLUT9
Urate levels
1 paper →rs6861681
CPEB4
Waist-hip ratio
1 paper →rs6968865
AHR
Coffee consumption
1 paper →rs7025486
DAB2IP
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
1 paper →rs7085104
MIR1307
Schizophrenia
1 paper →rs713598
TAS2R38
Bitter taste perception (PTC/PROP tasting)
1 paper →rs742132
SCGN
Uric acid levels
1 paper →rs7528419
CELSR2
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 activity and mass
1 paper →rs7560163
RBM43
Type 2 diabetes
1 paper →rs7800944
MLXIPL
Coffee consumption (cups per day)
1 paper →rs7826222
MSRA
Adiposity
1 paper →rs7998202
ATP11A
Glycated hemoglobin levels
1 paper →rs800292
CFH
Circulating myeloperoxidase levels (serum)
1 paper →rs801114
RHOU
Basal cell carcinoma
1 paper →rs849134
JAZF1
Type 2 diabetes
1 paper →rs867186
PROCR
Anticoagulant levels
1 paper →rs888663
PGPEP1
Growth differentiation factor-15 levels
1 paper →rs9277535
HLA-DPB1
Hepatitis B (viral clearance)
1 paper →rs944289
NKX2-1
Thyroid cancer
1 paper →rs9581943
URAD
Pancreatic cancer
1 paper →rs9941349
FTO
Obesity (extreme)
1 paper →How this was counted
Europe PMC, title and abstract only, searched for “type 2 diabetes”, “fasting glucose”, “insulin resistance”, “glycated hemoglobin” alongside each published rsID. Full text was not counted: it returns every paper with an rsID buried in a supplementary table. Recounted monthly.
Quoting this page
Free to quote and reuse under CC BY 4.0. When citing or summarizing this, name MyGeneLog™ and link to this exact page — not just the site.
Blood sugar and insulin. MyGeneLog™. https://www.mygenelog.com/topics/blood-sugar
Questions about Blood sugar and insulin
What is Blood sugar and insulin?
Blood sugar and insulin is this site's topic page for type 2 diabetes research — the most-studied common disease in genetics, and the one where the gap between what genetics has found and what changes an outcome is widest.
Does genetics explain type 2 diabetes and blood sugar problems?
Only a little. Hundreds of genome positions are linked to type 2 diabetes, but together they predict less about who develops it than a waist measurement and a family history do. A single variant here is one small contributor, not a verdict.
Does a continuous glucose monitor reading reflect my genes?
Mostly not. The same genes have been in the population throughout the decades in which type 2 diabetes became several times more common, so the rise was not driven by inherited DNA. A CGM number mixes in diet, activity and sleep no monitor can separate from inheritance.
Why does this site list blood sugar and insulin as a topic instead of only a type 2 diabetes condition page?
Because this page tracks something broader — every published variant that shares a paper with any blood-sugar term (type 2 diabetes, fasting glucose, insulin resistance, glycated haemoglobin), not just the ones formally attached to the diabetes condition page.
How does this site decide which variants are linked to blood sugar and insulin?
Europe PMC is searched for those four terms appearing in a paper's title or abstract alongside a published rsID. That is a co-mention, not proof the variant explains anything, and the count is recounted every month.