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3 year old drinks 5-8 pints. Advice please!!

E

Emz1987

Member
Messages
7
Hello. Sorry newbie -
just wanted to check something with people who may know.
My son is 3 years old and has started drinking alot over these last few months.
He can drink between 5 and 8 pints a day. He has started asking for drinks in the night too and due to his drinking is weeing alot too.
Was advised to check for diabetes.
So we have had a docs appointment this morning. They did a urine test and said everything is fine with that.
I dont seemed satisfied though! And it hasn't stopped my worry. Am i over worrying? is just a urine test ok to test for diabetes in a toddler? Should i just accept the results and move on and just admit he is just an eccessive drinker.
**Just had a friend do a blood count on him. - she didnt know what toddler readings should be.
Its reading is 6.1mmol - this was at 12pm today. He last ate at 8:30am. Is this normal readings? Thanks**

Thank you for any feedback.
 
Hi @Emz1987 Hope thats water and not beer! Sorry, couldnt resist!
6.1mmol is a perfect reading for his bloods. Surprised the Dr didn't do a blood test to be fair! Did the Dr give and ideas on why he is drinking so much?
 
Hello @Emz1987 and welcome

Unfortunately no one here can 'diagnose' your son and his symptoms, if he is losing weight, really grumpy, really tired,peeing alot, complaining of stomach pain, has smelly breath, then he would be displaying some typical symptoms of type 1, so please re-visit your GP to get him checked over again, don't worry about being a pest as mothers intuition is vital. It is important they do a blood glucose test though.

Our site has some good information in regards to blood glucose levels for non diabetics: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html

Normal and diabetic blood sugar ranges
For the majority of healthy individuals, normal blood sugar levels are as follows:
  • Between 4.0 to 5.4 mmol/L (72 to 99 mg/dL) when fasting [361]
  • Up to 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) 2 hours after eating
 
Hi @porl69
Thank you for your reply!
Glad that reading sounds good. There was some info on the diabetes.co.uk website saying it should be below 5.9.
No shes didnt blood test and her response to his drinking was "maybe he just likesnto drink alot" which is why i wasn't left with much confidence.
 
Hopefully there isnt anything for you to worry about BUT dont underestimate your intuition as his mum. If you arent happy go back to the doctor. If she doesnt know the answer then she can refer him to someone who does.
 
@porl69
As its not an emergency they couldn't give me an appointment.
So need to ring at 8am tomorrow morning. But I will make sure they give me an appointment.
Ive just done another reading before his food 10 mins ago and thats 5.9

Thank you for your message.
 
The NHS recommended fluid intake for age 1-3 is 1 litre rising to 1.2 litre for age 4-8 so the quantities you mention are indeed excessive. It may not be Diabetes but you do need answers.
 
What is it he drinks? If it is not water offer that instead to see if he is really thirsty.
 
How did it go at the doctors? I hope all is well.
 
If this abnormal thirst persists, try to measure how much urine your son is passing and keep an accurate record of both his fluid intake and urine output for a few days.
One needs to see what the pattern is. Does he pee excessively first and then drink to compensate and stop himself from getting dehydrated? Or is it the other way round?
There is another form of diabetes which has nothing to do with blood sugar. So regardless of these sugar levels, if he seems to be peeing too much and then taking in too much fluid, bearing in mind how hot it is and how much he is running around, I would take him back to the doctor, taking your records with you, and ask for the matter to be investigated further.
 
Hug to EMZ1987. I agree with the above. Just wanted to know if there has been any other diet related changes recently since you've noticed the increased thirst? Is he eating a lot of salty crisps etc?

I guess the doc did a urine test as that's less invasive for the little one than a finger prick test?

Perhaps you could ask for some urine strips to try on him before and after eating a bit of sugar/chocolate? A sort of mini glucose tolerance test?
 
@Emz1987 I have been thinking about you and your child. Have you got anywhere with the doctor?
 
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