Suspected that DS may have diabetes? :(

[stuckintheblastingsnow]

Hello all,

For one reason or another (too long to explain), DS (8) had a blood test and he has a slight high levels of sugar, I’m worried this strongly indicates diabetes but the doctor is awaiting to see if we should seek more tests/ from the paediatrician.

I’m shocked as to why DS has a slight high levels of sugar, when the past it’s been normal. He has many allergies so we avoid a lot of food groups, he doesn’t eat sweets or chocolates as he doesn’t like them that much. Though he does love drinking juice and, a few weeks ago, started doing Epson salt baths as this helps with dry skin (though they contain magnesium).

I’m just worried. Has anyone been through anything similar ?

At his age if he does have diabetes, unless he is extremely overweight, it will be type 1 and will have absolutely nothing to do with how much sugar he eats. If he has type 1 it will get worse quickly and you will know for sure soon.

Thanks Die. DS is not overweight at all ! Very very slim. Does High sugar always indicate diabetes?

If it's only slightly elevated it might just be a fluke. If it is persistently elevated though then diabetes is the most likely cause (I mean, that's what diabetes is - high blood sugar - but there are other causes for high blood sugars, some medications for instance and other rarer diseases).

If it wasn't high enough for the doctor to intervene immediately though I'd assume that it's still possible it's a fluke.

My husband was diagnosed with type 1 in young adulthood (via an antibody screen) and it took about 6 months to go from high sugars to complete insulin dependence. In childhood the same process can take only a couple of weeks so your doctor would probably not send you home with no information if he thought that was the likely diagnosis, at least I hope not.

Oh and sadly being very slim makes it more likely he does have type 1. Because they can't process sugar without insulin they don't use the sugar they eat and the body has to use fat for fuel while the sugar comes out in the wee.

Thank you so much Die ? I wonder if I should purchase those glucose urine strip tests ?

I’m not sure if I should persuade my GP to get my son seen ASAP... as I know you can get some sort of extreme diabetic sickness... diabetic coma ? I forgot the name.

I just remembered something... A year ago when DS was having his bloods done, he had a very high reading of hyperglycemia.. I think it was This . My GP rang me urgently to take DS to A and E. After a numerous of blood tests, this result was normal. It was very high because DS was very very distressed when taking his blood test. I’m wondering if this is the same thing.

Cortisol does raise blood sugar so it could be that, but I'd definitely get more medical advice.

With type one the big risk early on is diabetic ketoacidosis which can lead to coma. You will notice if it happens because he will smell of a strange "fruity" smell and will appear very very sick.

Does your son drink and urinate more than you'd expect? The thirst when you're an untreated diabetic is unbelievable.

It probably wouldn't hurt to get test strips (urine or blood) I don't think, but don't assume everything is fine if they're negative, it would almost certainly mean not diabetes but there might be some other cause for the high's he's been having.

Thanks Die. Yes my son urinates and drinks a lot but he has always been like that. I have raised concerns over the years about this but they tested him many times/ following blood tests but all came back fine.

Cortisol ? Is that a steroid ? My son uses a high dose because of his severe eczema

Ah in that case things are a lot more up in the air. Steroids can have a big effect on blood sugar, you really just have to wait to see what the paediatrician says but there's a good chance its the medication in that case especially if it was only a slight elevation.

Both my DS's have type 1 diabetes. Signs to look out for is weight loss, always thirsty, urinating a lot and stomach pain.

Thank you both ! I will wait for the pedestrian and see what they say.