Anyone up who knows about Type 1 and DKA? Just taken DS to A&E

[fresh]

He's had a bug/temperature (not Covid - we got him tested) since Monday. Tested ketones this evening and it was 3.1, rising to 3.8 in an hour. BG 13. He's 21.

We've never had to do this before as he's generally well. 111 advised going to A&E but obvs I've had to leave him there. Can anyone reassure me? Thanks

@fresh sorry to hear DS has ended up in hospital. The good thing is that it was “caught” and he’s now getting medical attention. They will probably want to determine why it happened and treat any underlying issue such as an infection which has caused his blood sugar to go awol and take it from there. If there are any dietary concerns he may be referred to the dietician or other health professional for additional support and guidance.

@DigitalChristmas thanks for replying. He's got some sort of bug, his temp has been up and down since Monday. I had to be quite firm with them at reception as the 111 referral hadn't come through and she started going through the standard questions. When I gave the ketone results he was taken through for obs straight away so I'm hoping they've got him on fluids by now. He has a pump so adding insulin is easy.

Is 3.8 a particularly bad reading, do you know?

@fresh sorry I don’t know about ketone levels. Here is an nhs link which has a little bit of blurb

www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis/

@DigitalChristmas thanks - that's the page which prompted me to ring 111! Don't think I shall sleep much tonight.

You’ve done your best and all you can do in the current pandemic. Is there something on tv/Netflix you can watch to distract yourself?

Thanks - I shall work my way through something. And try to resist texting him every 5 mins!

Appreciate you posting, thanks.

3.8 is a confirmed DKA from capillary ketones, but other than that it doesn’t inform severity or treatment.

He will be having lots and lots of fluids and electrolytes and is in absolutely the best place.

@QueenOfPain thanks. Given that he walked in, completely compos mentis, I’m hoping that means he’ll recover quickly with fluids.

You did the right thing.
Dka or even pre Dka.. Is dangerous, and getting treated early is the key to good outcomes
How is your son this morning?

Sorry your son is ill op

I would just like to reiterate that you did the right getting him seen. If you can’t sleep try to let your body to rest.

I haven’t gone dka yet, but my friend has and she only needed lots of fluid and antibiotics for her uti. She was out in a day and a half. This was pre covid so she wasn’t rushed out. She could have swollen antibiotics and the fluids helped her get the energy she needed and the keatons lowered. Her sugar was already okish when admitted and they were okish throughout. They don’t need perfect sugar level to discharge just treat for the keatons and the underlying reason for the high sugar.

Morning all. He was discharged early this morning, having been given IV saline and anti-sickness drugs. He’s currently making me a cup of tea...

We’re lucky that, apart from at diagnosis 8 years ago, we’ve never had to deal with ketoacidosis before. He’s going to speak to his consultant to get a proper sick day protocol for vomiting bugs so he knows what to do next time. I’m so pleased I made him do a ketone test as I know what would have happened if he’d just gone to bed without one.

Thanks for the support, we’re taking it very easy today!

Glad your son is better and home. If you go on Diabetes UK website you should be able to download the sick day rules for both pump and mdi.