Question re possible diabetes in child

[GingerIvy]

I wasn't sure if I should post this in here or in children's health, but here goes. This may be nothing to be concerned about, but my 8yo has been quite thirsty lately, drinking quite a bit more than usual. He has also been urinating a lot more frequently, getting up at night a few times. His appetite has been a bit off the last few months - nothing drastic, but just "off" - which I know is hard to explain. He's not having any specific UTI symptoms (such as lower abdominal discomfort or pain/burning on weeing). This has been going on for awhile now,possibly a couple months if it goes back to when his appetite changed a little. He's not lost any weight that I can see (weighing him is a struggle - he's autistic and doesn't stand still on the scale).

Anyway, we have a massive family history of diabetes in my family, including a number that are insulin dependent. I made a routine appointment with the GP but it's not until the 29th (soonest they could get him in for routine appointment). Should I be taking him in sooner, or using the next 2 weeks to note any possible things that might be related and jot them down, watching what he eats, just in case? Is this even a concern? I don't want to ignore something important, but neither do I want to be alarmed over nothing.

He will NOT cooperate for a blood test, so I anticipate an almighty shrieking session and the need for him to be held to get that done. I was hoping desperately that it could be checked by finger stick, but is that ridiculously naive?

I think tomorrow morning I will give him the same food he had prior to the GP appointment and then test it 2 hrs later, so it's similar conditions. If it's not high, I can likely assume an error on the part of the GP's meter and perhaps relax.

Just wanted to let you know my dnephew had high blood sugars, tiredness, thirst and bed wetting (after being dry) in the run up to being diagnosed as coeliac. So that could also be a possibility and may explain the vomiting?

Interesting to note. We are all mostly gluten free because ds1 and I are gluten intolerant. Ds2 has never shown a problem with gluten but is approaching the age that ds1 started having problems with it. I'll keep an eye on this, as occasionally ds2 has a gluten product- I'm trying to think if he has had anything lately. I'll do a bit of looking up coeliac as well.

Sorry milkjetmum I meant to say Thanks for mentioning that.

First morning test was 4.8

He's eating, and then we'll test again in 2 hours.

Feeling better about getting the meter - he was fine testing today (no meltdown, no fuss) and is interested in how it works and wants to try doing it himself at the 2 hr test. This not only puts my mind at ease (as the results so far are fine), but also because it will make the test at the clinic in a few weeks easier for him.

Okay. Had to test as he wanted to eat again. 1 hr and 40 minutes after prior meal. Result 8.0

That's a little bit on the high side but is the sort of number that can easily be seen in people without diabetes. 11 mmol is the number they consider diagnostic. The two hours after food test is the most useful one.

I'll do a couple more over the next day or two. As long as none are outside the normal range, I will then just wait until the clinic appointment.

I think that sounds like a plan and I am keeping my fingers crossed for you. Realised that I didn't say in my comment (but I'm sure you know) that "normal" range for non-diabetics is 4-7 mmol but non-diabetics do see higher numbers on testing for a variety of reasons (which is why the diagnosis threshold is much higher I guess).

That's helpful. For some reason, I was thinking 6-8,but that might have been just what they were trying to keep me around when I was pregnant. with him.