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HELP!! 3 Year Old Grandson Just Diagnosed Type 1

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Finlays Grandad

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Just had our world turned upside down by the news that our 3 year old Grandson Finlay has got Type 1 Diabetes. He was suffering from a bad cough which turned out to be Croup and was hospitalised for a couple of days and then we were told that he had Type 1Diabetes.

This was just over a week ago and his blood sugars since then have seemed to be constantly high. Sometimes as high as 19!! The Diabetic Nurse has told my Daughter that it will take time to level out whilst he goes through the 'Honeymoon Period' but have told her that they are now looking at increasing the dose of 'the long acting' one from two to three units.

My question is this: My Wife has been a diabetic for over 40 years and her 'long lasting' injection is 32 units. I appreciate that a 3 year old is not going to be on as many units as an adult but 2 does sound low to me, particularly as he is having constant high blood sugar readings. I then panic because I have been reading about how this could cause Ketones(?)in his urine which could ultimately be fatal?? A bit dramatic I know but we having been going through a living nightmare with worry.

Any advice, questions to ask the Nurse would be much appreciated. So too would words of wisdom or comfort from any parents or Grandparents who have had the same experience as us.

Thanks for listening!
 
A 3 year old will be hard for medical staff to initially set the right dose. They will not want to risk hypo's and have to start on small doses. They have to take in to account activitys and stress that a child cant explain...
How often is Finlay being tested.. Is it hourly or two hourly or have they fitted him with a cgm?
 
As you have diabetes within the family, you will be in a goid place actually to know how to assist Finlay and his parents... It is a very distressing time for parents ( and grand parents) but you will see an improvement soon.

Best words of wisdom is for you to allow the parents to learn as much as they can about carb counting and to support them through their distress...
 
Your query on the long acting being 2 or 3 units....

I've just has mine reduced from 3 units to 2.5, I'm 24 years old and diagnosed in February this year.

I am very insulin sensitive and still in the honeymoon period, the combination of which is giving me extremely low insulin needs.

Once his sugar levels are settling a bit they will get a proper grip on his insulin needs. But if it's just 3 units then that's just fine!
 
Hi. 2 to 3 units doesn't seem to be way off for a 3-year old and they will be taking it in steps. I only have 9 units a day of long-acting at 60Kg. I suspect your wife may be a bit higher in weight and need more insulin due to some insulin resistance? I'm only guessing but it might explain some of the difference. Daily insulin units are normally related to body weight. Although 19mmol is much higher than it should be, you would normally need to be into the 20s to start being at risk of ketoacidosis. I was sometimes in the 20s when just on tablets. I suspect your son's blood sugar levels will drop quite well over the next few days, so don't panic. I guess you will be needing to ask the nurse about short-acting insulin being added if it hasn't been already, carb counting etc. Your wife's experience will help a great deal.
 
O.k thanks for the responses.

We are seeing the nurse later this morning so should find out more then.
So many questions with so few answers at the moment!
 
Hi

Do ask the nurse about the possibility of yr grandson using twice daily insulin instead of bolus basal. That way injections wont present a major problem as he grows up and he will be ok at school

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
or skip injections and go straight to pump. I found 2 a day injections a nightmare at school (and home) and was constantly in and out of hospital with highs. I was diagnosed at 2 and a half and medican has come on massively since then. I understand its scary at first but trust the DSNs and drs a bit :) even though its hard
 
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