[confusedmom]

My 7 yr son was found to have high bs I random blood work which lead to more tests... basically from what I understand hes developing t1but caught very early. here are some lab results...
hba1c 6.6
fasting 6.9
2hr 7.6
insulin fasting 46 (range 20-180)
c pep 381 (range 370-1470)
tested positive for 2 antibodies

I am new to all this just interested in peoples thoughts currently not full diagnosed t1.... monitoring bs and carbs through dietician u now son is losing weight???

He is a small boy only 43 pounds was 45
some history he was born 3mths early a lot of lung issues has asthma
3 yrs ago has surgery on teeth end up feeling sick when hmthen went emerg had small trace sugar in urine all test were ran then and al was fine...could all this have started showing signs back then

 

[John.in.France]

:welcome: to the forum.

I've moved your thread to a better position to get a response in respect of the young man. Here in the Family and Friends of Diabetics - The Diabetes Forum Support Community For Diabetics Online you'll find others with similar issues. Another forum you might wish to browse is Diabetes in children - The Diabetes Forum Support Community For Diabetics Online where the focus is specifically children.

I'm sorry that I can't say a lot on the subject but generally diabetic issues do develop quite a lot before the symptoms are obvious.

 

[Janknitz]

You are blessed to have caught this early. Don't let the medical professionals play that game called "Let's watch and wait for this to turn into full blown diabetes". Action is needed NOW. You probably can't prevent Type I, but there are many things you can do to keep your child healthy.

Please run--don't walk!--to the bookstore and get a copy of Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. Read it carefully. This is not going to agree with the dietitian's advice on carbs. But parents of young newly diagnosed Type I children find that following Dr. Bernstein's recommendations can slow down the destruction of beta cells and lengthen the amount of time before their children need to go on insulin. Once they need insulin, they need much less if following Dr. Bernstein's guidelines, they are healthier and have fewer complications.

Sorry to add yet more worries, but there's more to consider. Your child already has two auto-immune diseases--asthma is the other. Be aware that a third auto-immune disease is common with these--celiac disease. There are some screening blood tests which should be run now, and then you need to look at the impact grains and dairy(which often is also a problem when there are. a lot of autoimmune issues) are having for him. Dr. Bernstein's protocol done "Paleo-style" (no grains, dairy, or legumes) should be considered. There are lots of great Paleo R esources and recipes all over the net (just avoid all the "natural sugars" that Paleo recipes use . I know this just adds to your worries, but it's too common to ignore. Getting nutrition dialed in for him will keep him healthy.

 

[John.in.France]

Dr Bernstein's book can be looked at on line - here Read It Online!

 

[VeeJay]

Good advice ^^^

I'll only add that, at 7 years, he is old enough to be brought into the search for information (although, explained in his understanding level). If he is engaged from the get-go, and learns to take control of his diabetes early on, it can only help him later on as he faces challenges in his life (especially when faced with peer pressure to eat something he shouldn't - and he'll have the knowledge to know why he shouldn't and, hopefully, the strength to resist). My sister was dx'd when 9 yrs old and nothing was much explained to her or to the other kids in the family (actually, back then - 1950s - not much WAS known, not like today).

Please pass along to him that he has friends (through his Mom) on this forum and we're rooting for him.

 

[silvertiger]

I agree that you need to take action now. Please let us know if you have any questions, we're here to help.

 

[Roxanne0312]

The doctor should do an antibody test (GAD65?). If he shows anitbodies, he is a type 1.

 

[Shanny]

tested positive for 2 antibodies

He has already tested positive for antibodies, so he is already full-blown type 1, and you need to stop fooling around and get him on insulin. If that takes getting a new doctor, then get him a new doctor. The poor child is already losing weight, so DO something. This is your son's life you're talking about, and don't let some lackadaisical doc put him at risk with a 'wait & see' attitude.

And as long as you're managing his diet, you need to be using the correct diet, and that is found here.

 

[confusedmom]

Thanks everyone because his is so mildand #s either just under or just above he is not 'classified' t1.....yet..... we are seeing a respected dr at mcmaster children hospital his bs has improved since watching carb intake and he is great with it and what he can have and cant so thats a bonus its odd because he can go a week or 2 and sugars be spot on and then all of sudden get higher fadting generally in 6s or a 7 but at times in 5s dr was planning on starting long insulin until he seen how normal his # are at times he said thing with catching so so early is majes tricky to treat???because insulun will cause him to have lows and for niw his bs is not alarming high so rather that just for now ...until it changes myself nor dr is by no means ignoring this issue we check bsbefore all meals 2 hrs after all meals and bedtime we go dri send from meter results every wk to dr and we c him and diabetic team every 2 wks

 

[Shanny]

Please try to understand that he is positive for antibodies. He is ALREADY type 1 diabetic. That is the proof - he is positive for antibodies.

 

[Shalynne]

I must agree with the others. Your son needs insulin now. Lows are not inevitable if his diabetes is managed well. For Type 1, this means proper insulin dosing and scheduling, plus a good eating plan.

A responsible, competent doctor will start him on a very low dose, with a very simple schedule. Dose will be increased gradually until it's at the right level; one that avoids both spikes and lows.

Please also ask for (insist on) a referral to a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE). CDEs are able to work much more closely with diabetics and their families than most doctors can, and a CDE's recommendations to doctors typically carry quite a bit of weight.

We care. Please keep us posted!

 

[Roxanne0312]

Thanks everyone because his is so mildand #s either just under or just above he is not 'classified' t1.....yet..... we are seeing a respected dr at mcmaster children hospital his bs has improved since watching carb intake and he is great with it and what he can have and cant so thats a bonus its odd because he can go a week or 2 and sugars be spot on and then all of sudden get higher fadting generally in 6s or a 7 but at times in 5s dr was planning on starting long insulin until he seen how normal his # are at times he said thing with catching so so early is majes tricky to treat???because insulun will cause him to have lows and for niw his bs is not alarming high so rather that just for now ...until it changes myself nor dr is by no means ignoring this issue we check bsbefore all meals 2 hrs after all meals and bedtime we go dri send from meter results every wk to dr and we c him and diabetic team every 2 wks

He has type 1 Diabetes, the diagnoses pretty clear cut on that. He is probably in the "honeymoon" period and will eventually require insulin.

 

[confusedmom]

Thanks again everyone Yes We know he is going to need insulin but until then I just get so frustrated... everything I read or hear about t1 is how it happens sudden and the pancreas has stopped...He doesn't fit the typical diagnoses I was curious if anyone has been through a similar diagnoses?? Its like walking around everyday just waiting for the ball to drop...also I always was under the understanding that the honeymoon period was usually after insulin has been started? We have the Dr on this Thurs will keep posted Thanks again

 

[Roxanne0312]

Thanks again everyone Yes We know he is going to need insulin but until then I just get so frustrated... everything I read or hear about t1 is how it happens sudden and the pancreas has stopped...He doesn't fit the typical diagnoses I was curious if anyone has been through a similar diagnoses?? Its like walking around everyday just waiting for the ball to drop...also I always was under the understanding that the honeymoon period was usually after insulin has been started? We have the Dr on this Thurs will keep posted Thanks again

No, from my understanding that type 1's can have a "honeymoon" period, it last for weeks, months or years . . .

Here is what Joslin site says about it

There is no cure for diabetes. Neither type 1 (juvenile onset or insulin-requiring) diabetes or type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes ever goes away.

In type 1 diabetes, patients sometimes experience what physicians have come to call a "honeymoon period" shortly after the disease is diagnosed. During the "honeymoon period" diabetes may appear to go away for a period of a few months to a year. The patient's insulin needs are minimal and some patients may actually find they can maintain normal or near normal blood glucose taking little or no insulin.

Will Diabetes Go Away? | Joslin Diabetes Center

 

[Shanny]

Confusedmom? Do the doctors have any excuse for why he's losing weight? They better have, because when his cells can't get enough glucose, his body starts to cannibalize itself trying to get glucose from somewhere, so he begins losing weight.

This is important and you should prob'ly be checking his ketones too, because when it happens, ketones develop and the combination of high ketones and high blood sugar is called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is a most serious condition and it can be fatal.

 

[Shalynne]

I'm afraid I must agree with Shanny here. The weight loss is disturbing.

Far too many of us have found that certain doctors (not all, of course) are reluctant to diagnose, and/or to act on a diagnosis. Some of us, in fact, have suffered for it. This is extremely dangerous for diabetics, especially those who should still be growing.

Many of us have also found that, while our primary care physician may be brilliant when it comes to certain conditions or injuries, they may lack expertise in others. Quite natural, really -- the field of medicine is far too vast to expect consistent perfection across the board.

 

[Kristin251]

I am a recently diagnosed insulin dependent type 1. I was not diagnosed nearly soon enough and had gone from 120 to 96#'s within about 6 weeks. Weight loss is a big indicator of type 1. Yes, if your body is not producing insulin and it is not getting into your cells your body is starving and feeds off itself. I had not an ounce of fat or muscle left before the 3rd hospital figured it out. 2 months after starting insulin and I had all my weight back. The GAD test is a great test but he has most certainly lost beta function. I agree the problem in the beginning is when the pancreas still has 'some' function and produces insulin randomly. There will be highs and lows, no way around it and scarey! Bernsteins diet is the best for type 1's (and 2's) because it allows you to take the smallest doses possible and perhaps stopping drastic lows. I was told to eat 25c per meal as I was bringing my BS down. I was taking 8-12 units per meal and had some serious lows. I slowly reduced carbs to just green veggies (about 5 per meal) and I now take 1 unit per meal and never fear lows. I also know 1 unit will lower me 20-30 points without food. I was 1st started on long acting alone and I was all over the place. I feel much more comfortable with small doses of fast acting at meals. The tricky part is getting your insulin their at the SAME time as your carbs and not before or after. This is what will cause highs and lows. This is also where VLC is very effective at reducing this and allowing him to take small doses. DO NOT listen to anyone telling you he needs grains or high carb foods. Protein, veggies and healthy fats are all anyone NEEDS. A person cannot survive without protein or fat but can survive on zero carbs. Low carb green veggies offer tons of nutrients without the carbs. Bread has nothing good to offer as far as I'm concerned and he can get all his nutrients though veggies and MAYBE a small amount of berries.

I'm sorry he /you are going through this. At 50 it was bad enough for me but you will get through it. I can't recommend more getting Bernstein's book, look at www.bloodsugar101 and I found The Rosedale Diet very helpful as well. He talks about moderate protein, high fat and low carb

 

[Kristin251]

I forgot to mention a celiac panel is a great idea as well. HOWEVER, just because he may come out negative does not mean he is not gluten intolerant. There are many non celiacs who are VERY gluten intolerant and this is becoming more wide spread in children.

 

[Shanny]

Kristin? I would give you 1000 likes if I could! :hug:

 

[Kristin251]

Thanks Shanny.

I also want to mention about just slow acting insulin (lantus). They 1st started me on slow acting alone. I would take 5 units and if I went to bed at 200 sometimes I woke up at 75 and sometimes 175. There was no rhyme or reason to it. Slow acting is supposed to keep you steady all night . You should wake up where you go to bed. I now take 2 units at bed and I go to bed in the 80's and wake up in the 80's. No fear of lows or random numbers. When I take 1 unit of fast acting(novolog) with meals I stay between 80 and 100 all day. My system likes the 90's during the day so it will bump me there with BF and stay there all day. We are looking for steady even numbers not bopping around. It is the safest too. Fear not both slow and fasting insulin. They are designed to work together as the body naturally would. At 1 st diagnosis they told me to eat all day and bring it up to 200 and then take higher slow acting to bring it down over night. This is a VERY BAD plan. There was NO control.

People here will be happy to give you meal ideas that are low carb, tasty and will keep him in control. I eat VLC but love my food. I like it to taste good as well. Our taste buds change with time and we tend to crave the foods that we eat now