Blood Sugar - worried daughter is diabetic

[DAISIECAKES10]

Hi, my daughter has had the following symptoms and I would be so grateful to hear your thoughts on if they sound similar to anyone who has experienced diabetes?

Dizziness (last week she passed out after a dizzy spell and banged her head really badly on the garage wall) - we took her to the hospital and they kept her in overnight for observations and found a faint heart murmur - she sees the heart specialist in a month

She has wet herself twice in the past few weeks which is very odd for her especially for her age. She tried to disguise it by putting her pj’s in the washing machine bless her!

She has lost a lot of weight even though she is eating really well - she is very tall so thought it was a growth spurt but she does look much skinnier than usual.

She has been extremely tired lately with little energy and unusually clingy and a bit weepy.

she has a very pungent breath smell, we’ve got her mouthwash etc and she has been brushing her teeth 3 times a day.

I have taken her blood sugar via a home testing finger prick kit and After breakfast it was 3.4 and this afternoon about 4 hours after eating it was 6.1 - I have no idea what this means could anyone elaborate on if this is normal?

just want to rule it out or see if it needs investigating - I’m so worried especially after she passed out and hot concussion, feel the hospital just focussed on the heart murmur which could be unrelated. Any thoughts would be so appreciated!
Thanks

 

[EllieM]

I have taken her blood sugar via a home testing finger prick kit and After breakfast it was 3.4 and this afternoon about 4 hours after eating it was 6.1 - I have no idea what this means could anyone elaborate on if this is normal?

Look, you can't really tell anything from two isolated tests, but I can tell you that the normal range is 4 to 8 so neither of those readings are high and honestly, that 3.4 would be hypoglycemic territory for a diabetic on insulin and could be the cause of dizziness feelings. On the other hand, weight loss, the breath smell and wetting the bed are all standard symptoms of childhood diabetes. (How old is she?).

I would definitely get her symptoms checked out, as something is clearly not right, and as a parent I would be very concerned about any weight loss Some of her symptoms could be associated with being underweight.

Good luck, get her doctor to check her out. There are straight forward blood tests that can be done to check out some of the obvious candidates, including diabetes. And if it is diabetes, the treatment available for T1 diabetes is 100 times better than it was 50 years ago when I became diabetic. Yes, it is a difficulty, but it doesn't have to stop you doing anything you want to do in life (excepting army and astronauts).

 

[VashtiB]

Hello and welcome,

I agree the two tests don't give any real information- but those other symptoms deserve a visit to a doctor to check out. It may be diabetes it may not be but getting checked by a doctor is the best advice.

I'm a bit of a believer that if you have any concerns it is worthwhile getting a checkup.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Jaylee]

Hi, my daughter has had the following symptoms and I would be so grateful to hear your thoughts on if they sound similar to anyone who has experienced diabetes?

Dizziness (last week she passed out after a dizzy spell and banged her head really badly on the garage wall) - we took her to the hospital and they kept her in overnight for observations and found a faint heart murmur - she sees the heart specialist in a month

She has wet herself twice in the past few weeks which is very odd for her especially for her age. She tried to disguise it by putting her pj’s in the washing machine bless her!

She has lost a lot of weight even though she is eating really well - she is very tall so thought it was a growth spurt but she does look much skinnier than usual.

She has been extremely tired lately with little energy and unusually clingy and a bit weepy.

she has a very pungent breath smell, we’ve got her mouthwash etc and she has been brushing her teeth 3 times a day.

I have taken her blood sugar via a home testing finger prick kit and After breakfast it was 3.4 and this afternoon about 4 hours after eating it was 6.1 - I have no idea what this means could anyone elaborate on if this is normal?

just want to rule it out or see if it needs investigating - I’m so worried especially after she passed out and hot concussion, feel the hospital just focussed on the heart murmur which could be unrelated. Any thoughts would be so appreciated!
Thanks

Hi,

Welcome to the forum. We cannot diagnose. We have experience with our own field. Not to dishearten your questioning.

The HCPs are doing the right thing focussing on what they are with your daughter.

The few random BG tests? That 3.4 is getting a little close to a low. "Emotional" can also happen when low. (We react differently. some violent.)
But these are a few random home BG tests you're doing. i'm not ashamed to say my bladder let loose on a couple of occasions close to a seizure on a severe low as a kid in the early days.
However, i was already diagnosed & using insulin. Diabetes means high BGs. The drugs can do this to a type one.

OK. looks like a drop after eating breakfast..? What did your daughter eat? Tagging in @Brunneria

 

[DAISIECAKES10]

Hi,

Welcome to the forum. We cannot diagnose. We have experience with our own field. Not to dishearten your questioning.

The HCPs are doing the right thing focussing on what they are with your daughter.

The few random BG tests? That 3.4 is getting a little close to a low. "Emotional" can also happen when low. (We react differently. some violent.)
But these are a few random home BG tests you're doing. i'm not ashamed to say my bladder let loose on a couple of occasions close to a seizure on a severe low as a kid in the early days.
However, i was already diagnosed & using insulin. Diabetes means high BGs. The drugs can do this to a type one.

OK. looks like a drop after eating breakfast..? What did your daughter eat? Tagging in @Brunneria

Thank you so much for replying! For Breakfast my daughter ate (quite a big) bowl of Cheerios and a full glass of squash. She was tested about 1 hour after this which was 3.4 then she had a roast gammon dinner with a little bit of mash lots of veg and large Yorkshire pudding followed by a slice of chocolate sponge cake and glass of milk. Her reading a couple of hours after that was 6.1.

With her readings not seemingly High at all is it quite unlikely to be diabetes? I really have zero knowledge of this hence why I’m asking on here rather than googling to get a more accurate source.

She is extremely weepy lately and clingy, I’ve even commented recently that I feel like I have a baby again (she is 10) she is usually so Independent, fit and active and never complains of any ailments I genuinely can’t remember the last time she had to go to the doctors as she never gets ill.
I so appreciate your response and understand you can’t diagnose and I will certainly get it checked out with the GP on Monday.

thanks again x

 

[DAISIECAKES10]

Hello and welcome,

I agree the two tests don't give any real information- but those other symptoms deserve a visit to a doctor to check out. It may be diabetes it may not be but getting checked by a doctor is the best advice.

I'm a bit of a believer that if you have any concerns it is worthwhile getting a checkup.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Thank you so much! I will definitely get her checked out just at a loss as to what it could be and don’t want to seem like a neurotic pushy mother but you just know when something is wrong and I am hoping I get some answers soon. Thanks again x

 

[DAISIECAKES10]

Look, you can't really tell anything from two isolated tests, but I can tell you that the normal range is 4 to 8 so neither of those readings are high and honestly, that 3.4 would be hypoglycemic territory for a diabetic on insulin and could be the cause of dizziness feelings. On the other hand, weight loss, the breath smell and wetting the bed are all standard symptoms of childhood diabetes. (How old is she?).

I would definitely get her symptoms checked out, as something is clearly not right, and as a parent I would be very concerned about any weight loss Some of her symptoms could be associated with being underweight.

Good luck, get her doctor to check her out. There are straight forward blood tests that can be done to check out some of the obvious candidates, including diabetes. And if it is diabetes, the treatment available for T1 diabetes is 100 times better than it was 50 years ago when I became diabetic. Yes, it is a difficulty, but it doesn't have to stop you doing anything you want to do in life (excepting army and astronauts).

Thank you for replying, she is 10years old and never so much as had a bad cold before never mind fainting and fatigue etc. It all seems very scary! Am I understanding this right - a low reading does not signify diabetes? I known nothing about it and just want to see what I think it could possibly be so I can be more specific of what I want the blood test to look for.

many thanks again x

 

[Jaylee]

Thank you so much for replying! For Breakfast my daughter ate (quite a big) bowl of Cheerios and a full glass of squash. She was tested about 1 hour after this which was 3.4 then she had a roast gammon dinner with a little bit of mash lots of veg and large Yorkshire pudding followed by a slice of chocolate sponge cake and glass of milk. Her reading a couple of hours after that was 6.1.

With her readings not seemingly High at all is it quite unlikely to be diabetes? I really have zero knowledge of this hence why I’m asking on here rather than googling to get a more accurate source.

She is extremely weepy lately and clingy, I’ve even commented recently that I feel like I have a baby again (she is 10) she is usually so Independent, fit and active and never complains of any ailments I genuinely can’t remember the last time she had to go to the doctors as she never gets ill.
I so appreciate your response and understand you can’t diagnose and I will certainly get it checked out with the GP on Monday.

thanks again x

Hi again. if your daughter's character changes from the norm happens? (Over emotional?)
Test her blood. Then log it.
On a low. Some get aggressive, some emotional.. (Shakey? can be a common.) I get introspective, passive & esoteric..

If your daughter can relay her version of how she felt at the time? Maybe funny eyesight. (Yep' low BGs can be like a heads up display.)

Best wishes.

 

[Brunneria]

Hi and welcome!

I agree with everyone else that your daughter’s symptoms merit a doc visit. But it is worth saying that high blood glucose is a marker for child onset diabetes - much higher than the figures you mentioned. So please do not convince yourself that this may be diabetes.

far better to discuss it with a doc, have some tests done, and get some proper answers.

I don’t know how ‘developed’ your daughter is?
10 years old is when my hormones started to do their thing. Of course, I don’t remember the details, except that my parents were even more unreasonable that usual ! But I started menstruating at 11, so all sorts of changes must have been happening during my tenth year. And my early PMT symptoms included dizziness, wobbliness, head spinning and having to sit for ages with my head between my knees to avoid passing out. Moodiness came along for the ride too. I also had a thing with low blood glucose (much lower than the 3.5 you mention), as a different thing. But that isn’t worth mentioning unless she gets lots more low readings.

once you know a little more, please come back and tell us how things went, and what the doc says? Sounds like you are both having a miserable time at the moment, so I hope the doc can set your mind at rest.

 

[DAISIECAKES10]

Hi again. if your daughter's character changes from the norm happens? (Over emotional?)
Test her blood. Then log it.
On a low. Some get aggressive, some emotional.. (Shakey? can be a common.) I get introspective, passive & esoteric..

If your daughter can relay her version of how she felt at the time? Maybe funny eyesight. (Yep' low BGs can be like a heads up display.)

Best wishes.

Thank you - She woke me this morning crying (no particular reason why) I got her to lie in bed with me and her little heart was really racing so I just tried to calm her down by talking about a potential holiday etc. I then tested her again and it came in at 3.3 but she hadn't eaten at that point - just drank a glass of juice. She is now eating her cereal and some pure juice so should I test again after this?

Thank you so much x

 

[DAISIECAKES10]

Hi and welcome!

I agree with everyone else that your daughter’s symptoms merit a doc visit. But it is worth saying that high blood glucose is a marker for child onset diabetes - much higher than the figures you mentioned. So please do not convince yourself that this may be diabetes.

far better to discuss it with a doc, have some tests done, and get some proper answers.

I don’t know how ‘developed’ your daughter is?
10 years old is when my hormones started to do their thing. Of course, I don’t remember the details, except that my parents were even more unreasonable that usual ! But I started menstruating at 11, so all sorts of changes must have been happening during my tenth year. And my early PMT symptoms included dizziness, wobbliness, head spinning and having to sit for ages with my head between my knees to avoid passing out. Moodiness came along for the ride too. I also had a thing with low blood glucose (much lower than the 3.5 you mention), as a different thing. But that isn’t worth mentioning unless she gets lots more low readings.

once you know a little more, please come back and tell us how things went, and what the doc says? Sounds like you are both having a miserable time at the moment, so I hope the doc can set your mind at rest.

Thank you very much for your reply. I am starting to think that is is unlikely to be diabetes with her readings not being at all high - as mentioned to the previous reply I tested her this morning after she had a bit of an 'emotional' moment (which is completely out of character) and it was 3.3 so certainly nowhere near a high reading which I guess is a good thing? She isn't really developed as such, she is very tall and become very thin but she is still heavy if that makes sense she isn't light as a feather which is why I've not panicked too much about the weight loss but she eats well and drinks loads and seeing her so fragile is making me now question the weight loss that I feel awful I have not taken into account! I just thought she was super active and having a growth spurt. She could potentially be developing hormones though, my periods came when I was 12 and it isn't pleasant is it!? I think she just needs her bloods doing really, I find our GP quite dismissive so I think I need to be strong and just push for the tests as something definitely is not right with her .

I really appreciate this forum and how kind it is of everybody to reply - even though it most likely isn't diabetes. Thank you so much!

 

[Fairygodmother]

Hi @DAISIECAKES, I don’t want to alarm you but could it be possible that as well as entering the raging hormone phase your daughter could also have begun to be unhealthily conscious of her appearance? Could she have an eating disorder? I know she’s eating well when you see her, but ... I don’t know your daughter, so it’s just a wild question triggered by the fact you say she’s got thinner. Please dismiss the idea if it doesn’t fit, it’s only an idea.
Her blood sugar readings don’t sound like diabetes, but as @Jaylee says, we don’t diagnose, we can’t tell you what to do.
If she were my daughter I’d definitely seek a doctor’s advice, and I’d also see if there was a sympathetic practice nurse who she could could speak with on her own.

 

[kev-w]

That.

 

[DAISIECAKES10]

Hi everyone, so my daughter has been very tired for most of the day, she hasn't moved from the sofa had a couple of teary episodes this morning too. Her reading this morning was 3.3 (after a glass of pure juice) she said she felt too sick to eat. She did manage and apple and a couple of bites of chocolate at lunch and had another couple of glasses of milk. 90 minutes after that her reading was 7.1.

Then she seemed to perk up slightly become more chatty, still lying down but could see colour coming back into her face. She then had sausage mash and veg for tea and ate most of it with a large glass of squash. Her latest reading 90 minutes after this is 11.5. Are these all good signs? As it did seem that as the reading increased she perked up (she isn't aware of the results I just say they are perfect each time so it is definitely not psychological).

Any thoughts on today's readings? (I totally understand you can't say it is or it isn't but from today with the readings increasing slightly I am thinking this is a good sign?)

Many Thanks,

 

[Jaylee]

Hi everyone, so my daughter has been very tired for most of the day, she hasn't moved from the sofa had a couple of teary episodes this morning too. Her reading this morning was 3.3 (after a glass of pure juice) she said she felt too sick to eat. She did manage and apple and a couple of bites of chocolate at lunch and had another couple of glasses of milk. 90 minutes after that her reading was 7.1.

Then she seemed to perk up slightly become more chatty, still lying down but could see colour coming back into her face. She then had sausage mash and veg for tea and ate most of it with a large glass of squash. Her latest reading 90 minutes after this is 11.5. Are these all good signs? As it did seem that as the reading increased she perked up (she isn't aware of the results I just say they are perfect each time so it is definitely not psychological).

Any thoughts on today's readings? (I totally understand you can't say it is or it isn't but from today with the readings increasing slightly I am thinking this is a good sign?)

Many Thanks,

How long after the glass of juice did you do the test to get the "3.3?" (In the morning.)

 

[DAISIECAKES10]

How long after the glass of juice did you do the test to get the "3.3?" (In the morning.)

To be honest I can't quite remember, probably around 40 minutes I think, it definitely was under an hour after.

 

[Jaylee]

To be honest I can't quite remember, probably around 40 minutes I think, it definitely was under an hour after.

Have all these 3'ers thrown up been tested in the same manner. around 40 to 60 minutes later, after consuming breakfast..?

Have you considered testing & logging BGs prior to eating or on waking up??

 

[DAISIECAKES10]

Yes the 3.3 was before eating and after having some squash (not pure juice) sorry head is all over the place !

I will test in the morning before she eats or drinks anything and make a note of it.

Is this latest reading of 11.5 normal for a 10 year old 90 minutes after eating and could this be the reason she is a bit brighter in herself? I am really hoping this is a positive sign now

 

[Jaylee]

Yes the 3.3 was before eating and after having some squash (not pure juice) sorry head is all over the place !

I will test in the morning before she eats or drinks anything and make a note of it.

Is this latest reading of 11.5 normal for a 10 year old 90 minutes after eating and could this be the reason she is a bit brighter in herself? I am really hoping this is a positive sign now

For a nonDX'd child I couldn't tell you.. But the lows (providing your meter is reasonably accurate.) I'll stick my neck out & say is not the "standard" with T1 kicking off..

How did you come to possess a BG meter in the first place? Is there diabetes in the family?

 

[DAISIECAKES10]

For a nonDX'd child I couldn't tell you.. But the lows (providing your meter is reasonably accurate.) I'll stick my neck out & say is not the "standard" with T1 kicking off..

How did you come to possess a BG meter in the first place? Is there diabetes in the family?

Yes, my Mother in Law has type 2 diabetes - she was diagnosed last year and has a very poor diet unfortunately, so we have used her kit. I haven't a clue what any of the readings mean to be honest and only suspected strongly once the paramedics said her BG was low considering she had eaten breakfast - this was yesterday morning and she had cheerios and juice then a reading of 3.4. But like I say it has gone up to 11.5 after her dinner this evening. I am going to get her in the doctors tomorrow morning and just ask for a blood test to be on the safe side and rule things out. The more I am thinking about it the less I think it is diabetes too so I think you are right.

Thank you so much for your responses, I really appreciate it