signs of toddler diabetes?

[amd03]

I have adopted a two year old son. He is a little short for his age but he is stalky. When we first got him about 6 months ago he would eat anything and everything you put in front of him. Now he has gotten to where he will hardly eat anything but he drinks constantly. It doesn't matter what you give him to drink he will drink all of it and instantly want more. When he is drinking he drink he doesn't just drink it he downs almost the entire drink before sitting it down. When he finally does put it down it is only because he is out of breath. His diapers are soaked and always smell bad. His poopy diapers are also very fowl. He has not gained any weight since he have had him despite the first five and a half months were he would eat everything he saw. He also will drink anything he can including his bath water. If you tell him to wait on a drink because you are busy at the moment he starts crying uncontrollably. We have been told by friends to have him tested for diabetes but I'm not sure what the signs of diabetes are. If you could help me I would really appreciate it.

[arcticpixel]

I've had Type 1 Diabetes since I was 8 years old (am now a 29 year old Mom with no complications).  His Fasting blood sugar is too low.  A "normal" blood sugar (what we strive to reach) is between 80-120.  For a Diabetic it's very difficult to stay within this range, so it is extremely important to test often (I test 10 times a day just to be sure).  I also now wear an Insulin pump by Minimed (have had it for 5 years and would never go back).  I'm worried about his fasting blood sugars.  It is most dangerous for a Diabetic at night to have lows (if they don't wake, or for one so young, don't know to come and get you they can have a seizure).  I had many seizures growing up but a glass of orange juice followed by crackers or a cookie (something with substance) was a quick fix (though it scared my parents to death).  I now know the symptoms and have not had a seizure since I was 12.  You should always have snacks available (breakfast bars are great with the jelly filling, a banana, juice box...) especially when he's active and you're away from home.  I have snacks in my glove compartment, my purse, my baby's diaper bag and all over the house (just in case).
You should get in touch with a Diabetic specialist (not just a general practitioner).  My healthcare made leaps and bounds once I was put on a pump and learned the advantages of it.
I would love to talk more with you (I personally have always wanted to adopt a Diabetic baby...since they are not the first ones to be taken and I already know the routine).  Feel free to contact me if you would like to share any more or ask questions.

God Bless,
Sabrina

[amd03]

I have been monitoring my son's food and taking him blood sugar regularly. His sugar is anywhere from 58-84 in the morning before breakfast and then at night two hours after supper usually around 125 if he plays hard after eating. But during the day they go from 76 and then two hours later it was 143... is it normal for it to vary that much?

[JDRF-VOL-SG]

Back to your question about foods until he is properly tested and diagnosed. While waiting to see the endo, do talk to his doctor about whether insulin is necessary (his fasting sugar is higher than normal, but not dangerously so). I would think that the most important thing for now would be to get a glucometer and start testing his glucose levels to see how they are ranging. What is his usual fasting sugar? How high or low is he before meals and maybe about 2 hours after meals? Answers to those questions may help the endo settle on the right treatment for him.

Anyway, if I were you, I would avoid giving him sugar-sweetened drinks for now. And avoid high-carb meals and high-sugar foods for now until he is under an endo's care. Whole grains are good, and proteins like cheese are good if he is OK with dairy products.

[Forum-vol-cmb]

I think you should make sure with the doctor first.  I don't recommend fixing with the endo later.  Too much insulin can be very dangerous.  Learn all you can about diabetes, but always heed the doctor's advice.

[KevinHarney]

He needs to be on Insulin while you are looking for a pediatric Endo.  First things first.  Get the current Dr. to prescribe something and then fix the details later with the endo.  This needs to be taken care of right away.  It can NOT wait or he may be in the hospital before he is seen by the endo.

Congrats on your adoption !!!!  that is GREAT :)

[amd03]

We had our son tested and his blood sugar level after 12 hour fasting was 158 so now we are in search for a pediatric endo. Any advice on what we should do in the mean time as far as foods to feed and good snacks for him would be helpful.

[JDRF-VOL-RL]

Hello.  I'm not a medical professional, just the parent of a kid with diabetes.  First of all, congratulations on the adoption!  That is an awesome thing you are doing!

Common symptoms are the unquenchable thirst, with the accompanying trips to the bathoom or seemingly constantly wet diapers.  Unexplained weight loss, that might be hard to notice in a 2 year old since they typically don't weight much to begin with.  Weakness and fatigue, in that they are always tired, sleep hard and don't like to get up.  There are other symptoms that would be hard to diagnose in someone who can't talk and explain them back to you, but the ones I noted are the main symptoms.  I'd follow your friend's recommendations and get him tested.  Good luck.