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busybee1976

Newbie
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3
Hi everyone

Just after a few opinions please.

My step-son has been Type 1 for 2 years.

All families concerned obviously care very much for him and we strive to agree on everything for his sake.

One thing we don't agree on is highs and lows?

When he is with our family I like to keep his readings under 10, and manage that quite successfully, with the odd reading under 4. tbh he really doesnt seem in "hypo" till it goes under 3, which hasn't happened very often.

On the other hand when he is with his mother and family she prefers him to be above 10. His readings spike all the time...in one day he can be 22, down to 5, then back up again with lots of high morning readings. She is scared of hypos and therefore keeps this up the majority of the time.

Now which one is worse, because I am of the opinion that a couple of under 4 readings will have less effect on his health that constant highs. Is this right? If it isn't then I'm more than happy to change the way I work here, I would just like some clarity and some honest opinions.

Thanks

Rachel
 
What is the target blood sugar range that you've agreed with the doctor?

I think you've hit the nail on the head when you say his mother is scared of hypos - keeping his sugar levels above 10 is not the correct or healthy way to prevent hypos from happening. I can't give you a definite answer but I'm pretty sure that keeping him above 10 and spiking to over 20 is a very unhealthy way to manage his diabetes and is bad practice for him to be learning, plus it is potentially quite dangerous in the short and the long term... there are a whole long list of consequences of having high blood sugars for any extended period of time.

In my opinion and as far as I understand, the 'risks' of having the occasional slightly low blood sugar are far fewer than the risks of having levels over 10 a lot of the time.


On a side note, congratulations on being a super step-mum! How wonderful it is to see how concerned you are about his welfare and how involved you are in helping him manage this condition. Bravo! And I wish you the best of luck in sorting this out - families are never easy!
 
Thank you so much....that really means a lot...parenthood is a thankless task but stepparent hood is somewhat more challenging as I have no rights and no say....I just want to educate myself so I can try and have my say without thinking I am undermining his mother.

Thanks for your opinion x
 
Well, I think you're doing a grand job! I wish both my step parents had been so involved or at least keen to learn/help as you are.

Arming yourself with good information is going to be very helpful... as you say, it's difficult enough just being a parent, but when you're a step-parent it's a whole other set of issues and problems you're having to deal with as well.

Anyway, best of luck...
 
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