Hi
I just registered here and I need some help from someone. My son will be 12 in a few months and he is having symptoms of sugar. He took a bad spell a little over a month ago at a friends house and she immediately tested his blood sugar ( she has a daughter who has diabeties ) his reading was 402. However he has also drunk a couple caffine free pepsi over a period of a hour. My friend said this would boost up the sugar level but not to that high level. We waited for 15 minutes gave him lots of water and put him in the air-condition and his level droped to 300. She then started to explain to us the things about sugar. After a few hours we retested and it was 129. When we left she gave us a test kit to take home and monitor for a few weeks. WE did various test of fasting, 2-3 hours after eating, 1-hour after eating and bedtime testing. He had so many odd reading fasting of anything from 60-140 at different times. Also a few reading after eating of 150-230. We have done testing and kept a log for 1 month and went to our family doctor and he said he didn't think anything to worry so he done a fasting with a reading of 128 and then he ate and retest with a reading of 121 after 3- hours. The doctor said nothing to worry just to keep a check and come back in 6 months for another re-test. Now my question is doesn't this sound all wrong??? Even with our test at home he has many reading of normal after eating but also a lot of high reading after eating also. The doctor said no need to do a 2-3hour sugar glucose test of drink the nasty stuff since his after eating was ok. I still have concerns because just today we tested 1 hour after eating and his level was 203. Also this morning his overnight with nothing for 9 hours was 130. I am considering going to another doctor and requesting the sugar drink to be done. Sorry to be so long winded. HELP anyone
Karen Joyce

The readings are certainly indicative of diabetes. But, there are other symptoms to look for also. Maybe a second opinion is in order.

These are not normal blood glucose levels for a 12-year old, no matter what he has eaten.

I would definitely see another doctor (preferably an endocrinologist) and insist he be properly evaluated for diabetes. This might or might not include a glucose tolerance test, as with those readings most doctors would consider him to be diabetic, but he should have a C-peptide test to see if his body is producing insulin, and how much. That would tell you if he's developing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

For Type 1 diabetics, there can be a period, called the "honeymoon stage", which can last for several months, during which the body will still be producing some insulin, but the cells that produce the insulin are dying, and it won't last. The C-peptide test may show he's producing some insulin, but it will be lower than normal. Frankly, with a fasting blood glucose of 128 and ANY readings of 400, my doctor would immediately declare him to be diabetic, as would most.

Ruth

I cannot believe a doctor repsonded this way! See an Endo!

In the mean time, be sure your son stops drinking sodapop and try to avoid the refined/processed carbs (white bread, sugar, cookies, pasta, etc). I know this is hard for a 12 yr old, but will help until you get a diagnosis and treatment plan.

You are right to test him regularly... Until you see an Endo, I recommend testing just before a meal and then again precisely 2 hours after the start of that meal. If you want to limit the testing, just rotate to test around a different meal each day. Also test his fasting at least 3-4 times per week.

I believe it is more likely that this is T1 diabetes because of his age.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Thank you for all your replys. I contacted another doctor and they said to be at the lab in the morning with my son doing a overnight fasting. The doctor ordered 3 test that I was told will tell if you do indeed have sugar. It is blood tests not the sugar glucose test. Does anyone here know what these test are called? I would like to look up on the net and read about them. I have tested his sugar today after he ate lund 1 hour and it was 165.
We just ate supper with consist of pizza and he is gone to a ballgame which I know he will eat again there. When he returns home I will test it again to see what it is.
Thanks so much.

There could be a couple of tests. One would be a 3 or 5 hour glucose test. They have you fast, give you a glucose drink, and then draw blood every hour for 3-5 hours testing the blood sugar. They might also use the blood to do a Hemoglobin A1c test. This test tests the average blood sugar over the last 3 months. Good luck

I have tested his sugar today after he ate lund 1 hour and it was 165. We just ate supper with consist of pizza and he is gone to a ballgame which I know he will eat again there. When he returns home I will test it again to see what it is. Thanks so much.

Its okay to test 1 hour after but you should also be testing immediately before a meal and exactly 2 hours after the start of a meal... this is the benchmark used to see what the pancreas is doing on its own. I know its got to be hard with a 12 yr old - they are on the go and you can't be with them 2 hours after a meal.

Good luck tomorrow...