I think my 5 year old may be diabetic

rudeboysti · 04-09-2013, 15:51

Well I think my 5 year old may be diabetic.

He has always been moody but lately he has been very moody. I decided to do a random test on him last night. I got a reading of 176. My 7 year old got a reading of 89 at the same time. This scared me but I wasn't sure what he had eaten so I decided I would get a fasting this morning while he was sleeping and I got 129. They both drink alot but all they drink is water. We live in the desert and they are always very active so I never suspected anything. He also sweats profusely at night. I should have seen this as well. Actually I have wondered but this is the first reading I have had that was suspect.

I assume that his BG levels should be no different than an adults. If so, I believe he must have D. I will be scheduling an appointment for him with my endo to confirm or deny but right now I am not very hopeful.

I had really hoped that they would not have to deal with this disease. I keep them both very active and neither of them are overweight. They are not allowed soda or sweets hardly at all. They may get a small soda twice a month at most and that is shared between them. I just feel like I have done something wrong. Like I should have prevented it. Please just let my meter be messed up. I do not want him to have to deal with this.

foxl · 04-09-2013, 16:00

Oh, Rude, I absolutely dread that day ... I have 3 kids with medical histories and ethnicities that predispose them to D I test them fairly often, and try to educate them about D-prevention and healthy eating!

My son's ADHD dx believe it or not, ALSO predisposes him to T2D. One day he told me about three kids who go the nurse when he goes for his focalin ... to get their insulin shots. The kids laughed at me for tearing up ... sometimes this disease is SO frustrating, it is hard to think of a kid dealing with it ... even though I know that kids are held to looser standards!

Good luck with your son -- and keep us posted!

3babygirls · 04-09-2013, 16:18

I found several sites online that says children under 5 can be normal with levels up to 200 and children 5-11 can be normal at levels up to 180!

I am worried a bit about my 7 y/o.

I don't understand why they say children should have those high numbers. I would think that if over 140 is harmful to adults it would be harmful to children.

foxl · 04-09-2013, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3babygirls

I found several sites online that says children under 5 can be normal with levels up to 200 and children 5-11 can be normal at levels up to 180!

I am worried a bit about my 7 y/o.

I don't understand why they say children should have those high numbers. I would think that if over 140 is harmful to adults it would be harmful to children.

I am not so sure it is accurate, either ... my kids are ALWAYS under 100. Period.

foxl · 04-09-2013, 16:33

Looking around the innerwebs, I suspect those are maintenance numbers, for Type 1 kids ... the numbers for kids are liberalized in order to prevent hypos!

rudeboysti · 04-09-2013, 17:06

Thanks foxl. I really can't imagine him going through this. I have a rough go at it at times.

He had a melt down 2 weeks ago before his football game at his grandma's house. He was completely off his rocker and didn't make the game. My wife just told me that his grandma had given him a soda about an hour before. This weekend my wife took him to the mall. She said he stopped 4 times to use the restroom while they were there for around 2 hours.

The numbers I have found on the web stating that up to 200 is ok is from the ADA. I am assuming that is for children with diabetes.

I always trust my gut and my gut is giving me bad news right now. I am scanning my memory for signs that he may be sick or something and that is causing his BG to be high but I am coming up blank. There has to be something I'm missing.

foxl · 04-09-2013, 17:24

He may very well have antibodies and NOT be ready to be treated with those numbers ... giving you some time to educate, train and prepare him, however!

Get antibody testing ... and try not to worry, too much. (((hugs)))

rudeboysti · 04-09-2013, 19:14

I will worry but I have to be strong for him. I have to make sure I don't pass my fear on to him.

He is going to the doctor tomorrow. I will not go through the same process as before.

I know what tests need to be done and will not waste time with anything less. At least I am prepared and know how to control it thanks to fine folks at DiabetesForum.com.

It is time for sweeping changes in the family. We are all diabetic from this point on as far as I am concerned. Time to hit the recipe section again.

Shanny · 04-09-2013, 22:08

This is the best game plan, David . . . yes, you know what needs to be done and you can make sure it's done properly. You're a great dad, and you'll get through this. We're always more worried for our kids than for ourselves, and I think your sweeping changes are warranted. Take care & good luck.

rudeboysti · 04-11-2013, 19:31

Well, his pediatrician says it certainly presents as diabetes. They took a urine sample and metabolic panel. They referred us the the Phoenix Childrens Hospital for a pediatric endo. He did not want to approach the antibodies and c-peptide tests as he would rather the endo cover that. We have already gotten his fasting down to 108 with carb restriction. His mood has been much, much better. We haven't had an episode since we started restricting his carbs.

He has also been a little trooper so far. He asks if he can have something. When I say no, he says "oh yeah, its because of my blood sugar." When we were going to the doctor, he told me he doesn't want to be a diabetic. That just kills me but he already gets it and think he will do well.

I have been testing him 5 to 6 times a day. He seems to start lower and then ride high all day. Yesterday after school he was at 180. He actually dropped to 133 before football but after football he was at 157. After dinner of chicken, green beans and broccoli with cheese, he was back up around 180 at the .5 hour mark but came down to 146 after an hour. 2 hours later and he was at 136 and after 3.5 hours he was 133. Before I went to bed, I tested him while he was sleeping and he was 139. He is much different than I am. He just does not come down much over time.

We sent an email to the teacher that he can not have carbs during snack time and we would send nuts with him for snack time as he loves nuts.

I now know why I was stricken with this disease. I developed D to prepare me to take care of my son. That is what I tell myself at least. He will be fine. He is an intelligent and strong willed kid. As a team, we will kick the crap out of this disease. He will be a poster boy for surviving D and leading a productive and healthy life. I will make sure of this.