DS1 (15) has slightly raised blood sugar

[CuriousMama]

He's been feeling tired for ages and had blood tests over a year ago. GP then said it was just his age. It's still gone on so I took him back and the latest GP said all dcs are different doesn't mean it's just his age. She seemed to take us more seriously, perhaps because it's gone on so long?
His results came back today and he has to have a repeat blood test as his blood sugar's slightly raised.
I'm so worried I just hope it was a one off and his next test will be ok? But then what's causing this tiredness?

Firstly, don't panic! I know as I did.
My DD aged 16 was admitted to hospital on Tuesday morning following blood tests. I'd been suspicious for a while that she might have diabetes. I was diagnosed type 2 (tablets and diet controlled) in February. My mum had type 1 and died as a result (unable to control it) and most of my female relatives had it. Its normally late onset, ie 40's but I had serious concerns during the recent half-term when I saw just how much my DD was drinking.

So, two weeks ago I took her to the GP who organised a blood test. She had that last Thursday and on Monday am I had a phone call from the GP who wanted her to go in to have her urine tested. As DD is at a college that is not local I said I'd take a specimen in to the surgery but the dr was very insistent that DD go in with me and the specimen and wait until it had been 'dip tested'. Literally within minutes of leaving the pot in reception we'd been called through to see the nurse who tested her blood (fingerprick then glucose test) and then the dr was in and we were sent straight to hospital.

She clearly had type 1 diabetes and it was confirmed pretty soon after arrival. Her blood sugars were 34 which is dangerously high. (in the morning I believe they should be between around 4 - 7 before food) The dr in the ED could not believe she hadn't collapsed. She was put on a sliding scale (insulin in a drip form) and kept in for 2 days. She saw our diabetic dr yesterday and is now testing and injecting 4 times a day.

That is very very rare. I don't want you to worry and don't want the comments above to scare you.
When I was diagnosed, I had the first blood test then a second blood test which picked up that my sugar was high and I was type 2 diabetic and only needed a careful change of diet and tablets. I asked the dr on Monday why DD was not having the second blood test and she said there was no need as it was so clear from the first that her blood sugars were sufficiently high for them to be sure it was diabetes. I believe (although could be wrong) that the second test is done on borderline cases, which is probably the case in your DS's case. He may just have slightly raised sugar which may only mean a change of diet or possibly medication (I am on metformin tablets). Shortly after I was diagnosed I went on a course with about 10 other newly diagnosed type 2 and the majority were not on any medication, just diet controlled.

So, please do not fret. I'm pretty sure that if it was serious (ie suspected type 1) they would have done an immediate test on his urine (for keytones which is a bad sign). The fact that they haven't is a very good sign and I'm sure it will just be slighly high sugar that you need to keep an eye on.

The tiredness is a very common sign of diabetes (type 1 and 2) as both myself and DD had it. Please try not to worry and keep in mind that if they were really worried, then you would not be waiting for further tests, they would have done them immediately x

Thanks for so much information!

When I think about it, we first moved here around 2 years ago and dss had to have a check up when they registered with the surgery. The nurse said then that DS1's urine showed slight sugar. But didn't seem worried?

Do you feel less tired now that you're diagnosed? I hope your dd feels better soon. x

There's only history of late onset diabetes in our family. My brother has it but he's an ex alcoholic and it was caused by that.

Do you know what his numbers were?

Please read this:

www.childrenwithdiabetesuk.org/diabetes-basics/could-my-child-have-diabetes/

Hi, you are most welcome, just hope I've not scared you, just trying to illustrate that if the first blood test was really high (ie type 1) then you wouldn't be hanging around waiting for another.

Yes, the tiredness did go, I'm just tired now through having a 6 year old and 3 year old that don't bloody sleep!
I was a bit suprised that DD had type 1 so early as it has been late onset with the rest of us apart from my brother, who like yours, brought it on himself!

I'm sure its just slightly raised and possibly type 2 which really is not the end of the road. As I said, when I went on my 'DESMOND' course (can't remember what it stands for) most of the newly diagnosed diabetics there weren't even on medication, just careful diet.

Take care x

If he's been feeling tired for over a year it is very unlikely to be type 1 diabetes as that has a pretty rapid onset and decline. As MOSagain said they would be able to get an accurate result of high blood sugars from a urine dip test so the fact that they've asked for a repeat blood test probably means he's either borderline, or they are double checking results in case something happened to affect the first one.

My brother was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 5, he's now 29 and diabetic treatment has come a long way since he was first diagnosed.

I am sure if they were paticularly concerned about your son's sugar level they would have referred him to the hospital to speed up the tests.

Hope everything is ok and he sugar levels are normal this time.

Have they considered glandular fever or some similar illness. I had a virus similar to glandular fever as a teenager and it knocked me out for months. No major symptoms other than the extreme tiredness. It was confirmed by blood test.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Thanks you two it really helps.

Glad to hear you've improved MOSagain and you just have tiredness that you'd expect with two little ones :)

tutu100 he had 4 lots of blood taken so maybe glandular would've shown up? I'll make another appointment with the GP for a week or so once the next bloods results are ready?