Could this be diabetes? and Which is the preferred test to diagnose in kids?

Question

My son is 10 and quite overweight.
(Yep, I know that's a bad thing. No, we aren't junk food junkies. Yes, we need to increase our family's activity level and we are working on that.)
He has gained 11 pounds in 2 months (approx a 10% increase)! Took him to doc for check up. Kid is also tired. No other obvious diabetes syptoms. Tested thyroid--OK. (Mine is low.)
I have heard of rapid weight gain being a symptom of diabetes, although it's unusual. I mentioned this concern to doc and that type 1 & gestational diabetes are in my family plus lots of type 2. He said that only weight loss rather than gain would be a sign & didn't test for diabetes. On the other hand, I think if I request it, he'll probably do a test.
Could this be diabetes? If so which test is preferrable for children for detecting even pre-diabetes?
Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar (glucose), starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.

Finding out you have diabetes is scary. But don't panic. Type 1 diabetes is serious, but people with diabetes can live long, healthy, happy lives.

Conditions & Treatment
Arm yourself with information about conditions associated with type 1 diabetes, and how to prevent them. Conditions associated with type 1 diabetes include hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis and celiac disease. You will also find helpful information about insulin, choosing blood glucose meters, various diagnostic tests including the A1c test, managing and checking your blood glucose, kidney and islet transplantations, and tips on what to expect from your health care provider.

Complications
Having type 1 diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications. Some complications of type 1 diabetes include: heart disease (cardiovascular disease), blindness (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), and kidney damage (nephropathy). Learn more about these complications and how to cope with them.

Recently Diagnosed
You've just been diagnosed with diabetes. Chances are you have a million questions running through your head. To help you answer those questions, and take the first steps toward better diabetes care, visit the Recently Diagnosed area for people who have just been diagnosed with diabetes, or those needing basic information.

Your Body's Well Being
Make it a priority to take good care of your body. The time you spend now on eye care, foot care and skin care, as well as your heart health and oral health, could delay or prevent the onset of dangerous type 1 diabetes complications later in life. Plus, some of the best things you can do for your body are to stop smoking, and reduce the amount of alcohol you drink.

Common Concerns
This section addresses various areas to help you live with type 1 diabetes. What do you do when you're sick? What do you do when you travel? Can you get a flu shot with diabetes? How do you cope with having type 1 diabetes? Are you being discriminated against because you have diabetes? You'll find answers to these questions, and more in this section.

Ask the Pharmacist
The American Diabetes Association and Rite Aid "Ask the Pharmacist" area is where you can ask a pharmacist a question to help you manage your diabetes. Rite Aid and the ADA have partnered to allow you to access to Rite Aid's Drug Information Center from our Web site.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

they have home testing kits available everywhere ... if it's in your family you should get it as part of a regular check up ... don't wait till it's too late. The units are as cheap as 20 bucks and the tests run about 25 for a bunch of test strips. It's a little pin prick and a drop of blood (all explained in the kit or ask at the pharmacy counter) they even have guidelines in the kits (usually under 100) is what I'm told ... but you're right to be concerned because it's a lot of weight for a short period of time ... does he seem very thirsty (another sign of diabetes) Prediabetes means your levels are higher than what would be a normal range - if he's eating good foods that are well balanced just too much that would be different tha if he's eating poor foods and not getting the right vitamins - I would think the dr would do blood work - and give you some ideas as to what it could be - perhaps just a daily vitamin and getting outdoors for a while - good luck -

Answer 4

2

Answer 5

The reason everyone is giving out leaflets on hypos is because they are the most serious short-term complication. If her blood sugar drops below 4ish then you need to treat it with carbs and sugar. However, if you have lots of leaflets i dont really need to explain this any further. Running bloodsugars high- especailly in the 30 range or off the meter can be prety dangerous as well. Your daughter could get ketones- which are not pretty and can result in comas! Its really not pretty. Basically, if her blood sugars are too high- she will probabaly need more insulin. I would seek help from your doctor for this. This is beacuse she will prolly have to do 4+ blood tests a day and inject accordingly. Untill you work out exactly what she needs insulin and food wise it will be hard to get the bloodsugars totally under control. Running them higher at the beginning is ok for a week or so untill you get used to everything. Its definatly not easy but its manageable! Try also to limit her sugar intake- insure all juices are switched to the sugar free version and dont give too many sweets. Although diabetics ccan eat what they want its just a matter for doing everything in proportion- its pretty much just a case of following a healthy diet. If your wee girl likes sweets there are sugar free versions availble. I was diagnosed when i was 12 and im now 19...its wasnt easy- and it must be even more difficult with a child so young- but if u need ay further assistance dont hesitate to contact me. Goodluck :-)

Answer 6

Top 10 Tips For Beating Diabetes

#1: Steer Clear of These Foods That Pack on The Pounds
#2: Get Moving
#3: Get Rid of Belly Fat
#4: Add In More Of These Belly-Busting Foods
#5: Boost Your Burn With 7-Keto Supplements
#6: Blast Away Fat With Forskolin
#7: Snooze to Lose
#8: Sip Some Black Tea
#9: Balance Blood Sugar With Chromium and Magnesium
#10: Chomp On Celery

Answer 7

I'm a 45 year old woman and was recently diagnosed as being a borderline diabetic. My doctor prescribed some medication, but before filling it I decided to do some research on the internet which led me to the methods. After reading this ebook and applying the methods, my scepticism turned to 100% belief. I noticed that my energy levels increased significantly and I felt more rested in the morning, my symptoms started going away.

I am very happy to tell you that I have been feeling better than I have felt in years and my doctor informed me that he will be taking me off my prescriptions if I keep this up.

I recommend you use the Type 2 Diabetes Destroyer to naturally reverse your diabetes.

Answer 8

I would request the test. You should get a fasting glucose test (first thing in the morning) and a Hemoglobin A1c. The first test will just give a reading of the current glucose level. It should be between 70 and 110 in the morning. The second will test how much glucose is hanging on the hemoglobin -- it basically gives you an idea of the average glucose level for the past 3-4 months -- it should be less than 6.
Talk to you doctor about your concerns especially with the family history. Let's hope it is just typical teenage growth.
Good luck.

Answer 9

The doctor was right. It's weight loss that's a sign of possible diabetes. I lost 25 pounds in 3 months before I was diagnosed with Type 2. The test for diabetes can be a 24-hour urine sample to see if he is excreting sugar in his urine. A quick test can be done on a single urine sample, testing with a medical "dipstick" to see if he is spilling excess sugar in his urine. If he is, then other lab test are called for, including one of a blood sample called a Hemoglobin A1c test. A normal level is less than 7%. Anything greater than 8% is cause for concern.

Answer 10

get a better doc. if you think its diabetes then the easiest way to check is by testing his blood. a blood tester is about $12 to $30 for a cheep one and the strips are about $25 to $50. with diabetes in the family its good to have one. regular sugar levels should be 90 to 130. 90s when your son hasn't eaten and closer to 130 after eating(some docs say up to 170 is fine). the test that a doctor will use to determine diabetes is this kind of tester and that's how i was tested also if it is type 2 he could be known as a borderline diabetic and going on a good diet and going for walks before bed(sorry don't mean to lecture) this helped me lose 50 lbs