Could my daughter be diabetic?

[Amy13]

Hi there, I'm new to this so don't really have a clue in regards to diabeties but I had a question..... Can one random finger prick test determain whether in fact you are diabetic or not? I ask because my daughter has all the symptoms of it and this has been going on for nearly two months now, yesterday at the doctors they used that little machine to test her blood and said it was fine. Obviously I was relieved but after I just wasn't sure how reliable it was and surly it would depend on if she had eaten, what she had eaten or activity and she had asked me none of these questions ? Is there still a chance my daughter could be diabetic or am I worrying for no reason? Any advice would be really appreciated!

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi @Amy13 and welcome to the forum.

If you read through this thread then you will see the classic signs to look out for.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/worried-about-son-aged-5.97307/

One fingerpick test is not a reliable conclusion and you are right to be worried if she is showing other symptoms.
Is there any way that you could avail yourself of a blood glucose monitor so that you could do a few tests yourself to see if there are some high numbers being displayed.

 

[Amy13]

Hi, thanks for your reply, yes she has most of the symptoms bar rapid wait loss really! I was thinking of buying one from the pharmacy to check it myself at home, I'll have to do some more research as I don't really no what I'm looking out for. This morning for example I have kept her off nursery as she's not been herself, she came into my room at 6 am demanding food as she was so hungry and then went straight back to sleep and hasn't moved since! It's really unlike her and I am worried but the doctors don't really seem to have any concerns or want to investigate anything x

 

[azure]

How old is your daughter @Amy13 ?

You know her best. If you think there's something wrong, then do go back to your doctor. If it's not diabetes, then I hope he or she would investigate further to rule out other conditions.

 

[Amy13]

She is 3 and a half @azure .It's just been a a number of things now over the course of a couple months she just hasn't been herself, first they thought it was a uti then her urine was clear so ruled that out then they just fob you off with viral this and that its just annoying. Of course I don't want my child to be diabetic but if she's showing all the symptoms and hasn't been her normal self for a while now I would of thought they would of investigated it abit Forster rather then disregarding it all together after just one test. I understand her reading may not of been anything to worry about at the time because it was only 5.5 and that's considered normal is it it but also she hadn't eaten all day, the doctor didn't wash her finger before testing it or anything and to be honest she didn't really seem like she had much of a clue anyway so I just wanted to be on the safe side I guess. Xx

 

[TorqPenderloin]

Every little kid is hungry all the time, thirsty, and has to pee a lot....those are symptoms of a healthy growing child. Teenagers are even worse.

To put some of the symptoms into perspective. In my case:
I was peeing 20+ times a day and woke up nearly every hour throughout the night.
I was drinking probably 3 gallons of water a day and still had constant dry mouth.
I was eating around 5000 calories and still losing weight.

Yes, if you're worried buy a meter from the pharmacy and test her every so often. Note: if you test within 2 hrs from her last meal, it's likely her levels will be slightly elevated. That's normal for the most part.

 

[azure]

I would go back to the doctors and explain how your daughter has been. Maybe see a different doctor?

I was older than your daughter when I developed Type 1 but for me the most noticeable things were having to visit the toilet very frequently (that got worse and worse) and weight loss. I also felt very tired in the evening when I had my biggest meal.

If you do want to buy a blood glucose meter yourself, they're easy to use, and a few tests will either put your mind at rest regarding diabetes - or be useful info to give to the doctor.

 

[Amy13]

I completely understand that and appreciate that, I just was wondering if it was early signs of it as I am a concerned parent that's all. Every child may do those things but the reason my attention has been brought to it is because this is all out of character for my child, she has been waking up in the night for drinks which is unlike her, she has slept solidly through since a baby and never usually wakes during the night, she has been fully toilet trained since before she was 2 and now all of a sudden she's wetting herself and having accidents because she can't hold it in. And she's wanting to constantly sleep, she sleeps 13 hours at night and she would quite easily sleep another 4 during the day which isn't normal for a child
Of her age as they no longer require naps at this age. I could be over thinking it I do understand that, that's why I was just trying to get abit of advice about it before I take it any furthers with the doctor.

 

[azure]

The wetting accidents do sound worrying, and yes, can be a sign of diabetes but also other things too eg UTI ( did you have that ruled out?)

Trust your instinct. I'd be worrying if it was my child too so I completely understand.

 

[azure]

@Amy13 Next time you go back to the doctors, you could make sure shed eaten a carby meal before. For me - and this may be different with very young children - I had some normal readings before I was formally diagnosed. My blood sugar could get itself down at some points, but my body couldn't control it properly, especially when I ate.

Edited to add - I have children but it's easier for me as I already have a blood glucose meter. If you're asking what I'd do, I'd test after carby meals, record that info along with drinks and toilet visits, then go back to the doctor and say that I'm still worried and would like further investigations to find out what's going on.

Your daughter is very young and children of that age may not be able to adequately communicate how they're feeling, so if in any doubt get professional advice.

Please let us know how things go.

 

[TorqPenderloin]

You have every right to be a concerned parent. I was only trying to put things into perspective so you didn't worry yourself more than you need to.

Get a meter, and have more tests performed. Hopefully, your daughter is just a going through a growth spurt.

 

[Amy13]

Hi, yes they ruled out a uti, they said her urine was completely clear! Yeh I have spoken to a friend of mine who said she was diagnosed as a teenager and it took a while as sometimes she had normal readings to hency why my original question was of it could be determined by one single random test! I think I will certainly go back and give them this information and see if they can give me any more info on what they are planning to do. It's not nice to see your child unwell, hopefully they will take it abit more seriously! Thank you! X

 

[Amy13]

You have every right to be a concerned parent. I was only trying to put things into perspective so you didn't worry yourself more than you need to.

Get a meter, and have more tests performed. Hopefully, your daughter is just a going through a growth spurt.

You certainly did put it into perspective so thank you! By all means she's nothing compared to what your describing so that can only be a positive! I will get more tests done! Thank you!

 

[himtoo]

i would be concerned with the wetting incidents too.
I had them prior to diagnosis and that was sort of the final straw that my parents took me to the doctor ( and then to hospital )

 

[Amy13]

i would be concerned with the wetting incidents too.
I had them prior to diagnosis and that was sort of the final straw that my parents took me to the doctor ( and then to hospital )

I think they just see it as kids will be kids and have accidents which yes to an extent is true, but you no your own child and wether it's a "accident" or completely out of character. When I told the doctor about the accidents she didn't even bat an eye lid, she said maybe she's scared about something. I'm not saying this is wrong but my daughter usually is a happy confident little girl, very sociable, loves nursery, no changes to her home life, lives happily with me her dad and brother, I really don't see there being a reason for her to be scared about something. I think I will just have to get a second opinion! She's been napping for 3 hours already and it's not even 11am! Surly that can not be normal!

 

[Catlady19]

Hi, yes they ruled out a uti, they said her urine was completely clear! Yeh I have spoken to a friend of mine who said she was diagnosed as a teenager and it took a while as sometimes she had normal readings to hency why my original question was of it could be determined by one single random test! I think I will certainly go back and give them this information and see if they can give me any more info on what they are planning to do. It's not nice to see your child unwell, hopefully they will take it abit more seriously! Thank you! X

I had my T2D diagnosed when I had a UTI - the nurse said there was sugar in my urine. So the fact that there was none when she was tested hopefully is a positive note.
I would keep a diary - get a meter and test before and 2 hours after carby food, keep a record of toilet trips and amount of fluid taken.
I work in a school and there are some nasty viruses going around at the moment, so hopefully that's all it is.

 

[Amy13]

Yes this is true! Hopefully it's nothing, she's had no sickness or diarrhoea but does always complain her tummy hurts so I suppose it could be just pot luck of a "viral" thing lasting 2 months! xx

 

[BeccyB]

I think Lloyds pharmacy might offer blood tests, aimed at catching undiagnosed Type 2s I think but they may let her have one?

 

[meplusthree]

Hi, i'm going through a similar thing with my son, he had bloods done yesterday and we have to keep checking blood sugars while we wait for the results, we brought a new monitor yesterday because we ran out of strips for the one we already had it was £15 in sainsburys. I think its called accu chek x

 

[Robinredbreast]

Hi, sorry to read of your worries regarding your daughter. My granddaughter was 2 1/2 when diagnosed, her symptoms included, being irritable ( we thought it was the terrible twos) very tired, lethargic, demanding and peeing.
It could be something, it could be nothing, but you, as a mother, know your child so well and can spot differences in their behaviour/personality, could it be possibly physiological ? Tests for Coeliac ( tummy pains), or an underactive thyroid or other blood tests ?
Here is a link, http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/signs-and-symptoms-of-type-1-diabetes-in-children.81808/
All the best for a diagnosis of some sort, I hope the outcome will be a good one for your daughter

Good luck, RRB