I’m worried my DD has diabetes

[123Holly]

It suddenly dawned on me that my DD age 4 has the symptoms of diabetes. She currently has a roaring urine infections and when I was reading about dipstick results diabetes popped up. I’ve had a sleepless night thinking about it.
Her symptoms have come on gradually over weeks/few months. I don’t know if that’s normal.

Urine infections have been frequent since November and we have an ultrasound and paediatric appointment the end of the month for investigations.

Her dip sticks have shown high nitrates every time, she still wears a nappy at bed and it is sodden in the morning, she has had problems with thrush since January and it keeps coming back, massive appetite and always hungry but is so skinny. The only thing is she’s not particularly thirsty. She drinks but I would not say excessively? I would really appreciate some thoughts.
Thanks if you got through this.

The 4 Ts of diabetes are Toilet, Thirsty, Thinner and Tired.

Sounds like your dd may be showing signs, I would get her checked out by a doctor.

Everyone shows different signs. I have a family member who all of a sudden just got thirsty and would need to drink constantly.

If none of those dipsticks have shown any glucose, diabetes is less likely, but, it still needs checking out.

I meant to say she does get very tired and for the first time ever she had to come out the pool from swim lesson and nursery mentioned that she hasn’t been herself the last couple weeks. Just very quiet. So I just assumed she had a virus, or it was to do with her urine infections.
Would I be better waiting for her oediattic appointment at the end of the month or make an emergency appointment on Monday?

I would make an emergency appointment. Diabetes is a serious condition that needs to be treated.

See your gp on Monday so they can do a blood test

My child was excessively thirsty along with urinating a lot. Doesn’t sound like she is especially if her urine has been tested frequently as it would have come up. Get her checked out today though.

The nurses/doctors have never mentioned about glucose on the dipstick. They always just said yes to blood and protein and key tones. Also nitrates.
Her antibiotics have kicked in through the night and she seems a bit perkier this morning from this current infection.

A fingerprick test costs 1 pound (not being paid by you) and 30 seconds. Don't wait when dealing with diabetes. If it is positive, waiting can cause serious health problems.

If a GP sees a child showing symptoms of type one diabetes, they should do a finger prick test there and then (so getting a drop of blood on a finger tip using a lancet, then testing it with a glucose monitor). If the glucose is high they should refer the child immediately to the hospital (as in, leave the GPs and go straight to the hospital).

I would have thought that they would have been testing for glucose along side the other readings when they have dipped the urine, but it's possible they have not. I would ask the GP to perform the finger prick test.

If you are at all worried about her over the weekend, then take her to A&E and say you suspect type one diabetes. Symptoms of a medical emergency include laboured breathing, becoming very drowsy, a smell of pear drops on the breath or body (ketones), vomiting and extreme thirst. However, no A&E is going to mind if you attend with a tired, skinny, excessively urinating child as it is much, much better to diagnose before it becomes immediately life threatening.

I did think her breath was sweet smelling this morning but they dipstick last night showed key tones so that is probably why. As she was really unwell yesterday she didn’t eat so that is probably why there are key tones present.
I’m going to make an appointment on Monday and get her checked.

Do you know anyone with a blood meter and check her level before Monday ? If it is it can be very dangerous.

Could it be the night nappy causing the problems?

What about a large inco pad under her instead so it's not "sealed" in as such?

I'd imagine that glucose would have stood out on the dipsticks but I'd check her checked out on Monday. I hope she's feeling better soon.

Her nappy is sodden in the morning so I don’t think I’d be able to take it off yet.
My dad is diabetic so can I use his blood thing to check?

If she does have diabetes and has keytones in her urine then she could be dangerously ill. A blood glucose test system from a chemist would be about £15. Can you get a test kit? Everywhere sells them. Even supermarkets. Waiting until Monday could put her at serious risk. Type 1 diabetes is not a slow killer like type 2, it is very serious and hours matter.

Yes you can use your dad’s meter to check her.

If the numbers are high you need to go to A&E straight away. Pleas don’t wait until Monday. I am type 1 x

Yes you can use your dad's blood thing to check. Just change the Lancet and use a test strip. Should be between 4-6mmol. Any higher than that get straight to A&E.

Or as a previous poster said, if you can't get hold of your dad to use his meter easily/quickly then pop out to your nearest pharmacy and pick one up for between £10-£20. Well worth it, if only for the peace of mind!

I'm going to be surprised if the doctors haven't checked glucose if there's ketones in her urine, and a family history of diabetes, but sometimes things do get missed.

I would be amazed high glucose has not been mentioned but ketones is not good. May not be diabetes but whats the harm in checking

Were you able to do a glucose test 123holly? Hoping alls okay.

Hope she's ok.

Any news?

Hi, we were at the GP who did a dip test and it was completely clear of glucose so she was confident diabetes was not a worry. We have a paediatric appointment this week so will double check but I’m feeling a lot better about it.
I’m sorry I haven’t replied sooner. I’ve been helping my mum, and we just found out her cancer is back and will be starting chemo very soon. Not thinking straight at the minute.