Excessive Thirst

[WigWamBam]

My daughter is almost 3.5 and has always drunk a reasonable amount, but the last week or so she has been constantly thirsty. In the last 4 hours she has drunk 6 glasses and is still complaining that she's thirsty. She's perfectly well in herself. Does anyone know if there's anything other than diabetes which can cause an excessive thirst?

She's a gut-bucket! She's eating fine (always hungry), just thirsty.

No more suggestions I don't think you need to panic but a trip to the GP is definately a good idea. Also when I had gestational diabetes I was warned against using those sticks as they are inaccurate, so get it checked out no matter what the stix say!! Take care of yourself too, all those trips to the kitchen are a pain!! xxxx

Just wanted to echo what Jane said - I had GD too and specificlly asked if it increased DD'S chances. I was told no, but she was more prone to type two, adult onset because of the genetic factor. Having said that DD (1.5) also drinks like a fish - much more than DS (I didn't have GD with him) - and I must say the thought has crossed my mind too. Will be following this thread with interest and will mention it at next check. Keep us posted.

I was definitely told that both I and dd would be more prone to diabetes because I had gestational diabetes. I'll have to try and check up on that if others have had different advice.

Wigwam - sorry, just reread my last post and realised I wasn't very clear.

I was told that I had a significantly higher chance of developing type two diabetes in later life because, by developing GD, I was demonstrating that I was genetically pre-disposed to diabetes anyway. In other words, even if I hadn't developed GD I would still have had the high chance of developing type 2 (I just wouldn't have had advanced warning of the possibility). Similarly, I was told that while dd's exposure to my GD didn't raise her chances of getting it (for example because she'd been exposed to my insulin swings etc) she too had a higher risk of developing type two because she automatically shares my genetic make-up. This means that my ds has a similarly high risk on the basis of genetics despite the fact that I didn't have GD in my pregnancy with him.

mmm. I think I might just have made that even more confusing.

I understand, Zippy. I think .

Hi Wigwambam

Remember to take a fresh sample of your dd's urine when you see the GP this week they will probably still want to test it there. In the meantime limit her salt intake to see if it makes any difference. If things change and you have a serious concern about her wellbeing before your appointment then you will need to ring and ask for an emergency appointment otherwise you should be alright to wait a few days.

Just wondered how you got on at docs Wigwambam. I've been thinking of you and have become a bit obsessive about my DD's fluid intake as a result! Hope all is well.

Hi Zippy, thanks for asking. I saw the GP, who checked her urine and says there's no cause for concern as there's no sugar showing up and she's otherwise healthy. He's reluctant to do blood tests as she's so young and as she has no other symptoms of diabetes.

She's still drinking like it's going out of fashion though, and at nursery they have commented that she uses the water machine so frequently, so I'm still keeping an eye on things, and if I feel that there is still cause for concern in a couple of weeks time I will take her back again (and risk getting a reputation as a neurotic mum!).

WWB, it might be worth pushing your GP for a blood test if this carries on. Urine tests can give false negatives for diabetes. In some individuals, sugar does not leak into the urine even though they have high blood sugar levels. So testing the blood is the only totally reliable method. A fingerprick test would be sufficient in the first instance, and they honestly aren't too painful (I've done quite a few). Does she have any other symptoms of diabetes?

She's otherwise healthy, gingernut, which is why the GP wasn't keen on doing the blood tests. I know the prick tests aren't bad, I had GD and had to test myself umpteen times a day, but the GP gave the impression that dd would need full blood samples taken and was reluctant to do it with no other symptoms.

A fasting prick test would be diagnostic, IMO. That is, you'd have to take her in first thing, having not let her have anything to eat or drink since around 7 or 8 pm the night before. If positive then they would have to do full blood tests. I am fairly sure this is how my dh was first diagnosed, I'll have to ask him. He was suffering from some other symptoms but we hadn't realised (IIRC, tingly fingers, slightly blurred vision despite having had new glasses a few months beforehand, and he'd had recurrent thrush although we didn't realise that was what his rash was - thought it was an allergy to washing powder!).

It seems most unlikely that she has diabetes but worth being a neurotic mother if the excessive thirst continues!