Testing the other kids...is 152 bad?

Eri's mom · #1 (**permalink**) 06-28-2005, 10:10 PM

Hi again...

I tested Elle, my youngest(she'll be 8 in Sept)...I TRIED to test Wil...why is it that boy is SOOOO petrified of needles???!!!?

Anyhow, her bedtime reading, no snack, was 152...I'm testing her first thing in the morning again for a FULL fasting reading...but, should I be concerned?(she was tested at 10 and hadn't eaten since 6...and she's my water drinker...AND she was swimming after she ate)...

I KNOW it has been mentioned b/f, but of COURSE I'm at a blank now...Eri said...Oh Elle, that's a little higher than it should be...and Elle FREAKED...I told her NOT to worry, that all is well, we'll just test her in the a.m.(she has NO problem w/ testing whatsoever)...but she cried and said, but what if I go low like Eri did when she first got it and have a seizure? That broke my heart...she was only 2 when Eri was dx'd, but remembers those seizures like VIVIDLY(she called it the "shakey dance")...
Elle has had random high readings before...like in the 300's and then lower ones(below 70)...but her A1c always came back normal....

I don't want to make anything out of this, it's just like AHHHH!!! OK weird ride, STOP!!! She's not showing really TOO many symptoms...tired, but she busts butt at Tae Kwon Do and she is a fish, she is a drinker, (that sounds SOOOO wrong when speaking of a 7 yo)....and bathroom...I don't think more than should be.
My mind just reels b/c they told me years back that she was "brewing" it.

I'm praying they were/are wrong, b/c the heartbreak in her voice tonight broke my heart hearing it.

duck · #2 (**permalink**) 06-28-2005, 11:44 PM

I think I am on record here with my thoughts on what "normal" is anymore, but you really need to have Elle tested by a doctor--Which in her circumstance (sibling with this disease) is a wise move. She doesn't have to know what she is being tested for, y'know? All kids get tested for something! Kids are hard to monitor for symptoms esp. since we all know kids who are energetic, kids who are shiftless, kids who are sharp, kids who are a little slow, kids who drink a lot, kids who hate to drink or eat anything. I think in your case a bonafide test is the best course of action.

Dewey · #3 (**permalink**) 06-28-2005, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duck

I think I am on record here with my thoughts on what "normal" is anymore, but you really need to have Elle tested by a doctor--Which in her circumstance (sibling with this disease) is a wise move. She doesn't have to know what she is being tested for, y'know? All kids get tested for something! Kids are hard to monitor for symptoms esp. since we all know kids who are energetic, kids who are shiftless, kids who are sharp, kids who are a little slow, kids who drink a lot, kids who hate to drink or eat anything. I think in your case a bonafide test is the best course of action.

Definitely agreed there. Not sure how others do (or did) it, but back in the day (when my dad was alive and we were a full family), we All were tested. My tests were routine, but the family's tests were sporadic. The doctor wanted to ensure that noone else in my family had it, and felt checking from time to time was the best way to either find it or "rule it out" as the case may be. I'm also in agreement with Duck in that Elle doesn't necessarily need to know what the test is for or about. This way, she won't worry (more). If it is in fact Diabetes, you will be the first to know, and perhaps will be more prepared to help her. Please keep us posted, and hope everything turns out a-ok! Will be thinking of and praying for you!

am1977 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-29-2005, 12:19 AM

I think freaking out is a very normal reaction after hearing that her reading was a little elevated, esp. considering that she sees everthing Eri goes through as a diabetic. But let's put this in perspective, she is not diabetic (at least not that we know of) and there can be a whole host of reasons for that number. I remember reading on the Children with Diabetes website, that not everything that glitters is gold and just b/c it's a little higher than one might like to see, doesn't mean that it's diabetes.

I know you said that she was tested before, but maybe it's time to be tested again (at the Dr's, that is). Then you will know for sure what's going on. Hey, you might as well have your son tested at the Dr's too (if you can get him to)...I know some might say that's hasty, but sometimes it's worth just putting your mind at ease.

Hang in there, Robin. Elle and Wil will most likely be fine.

Take care!

Eri's mom · #5 (**permalink**) 06-29-2005, 12:39 PM

Thanks for the replies

She woke up at 108 this a.m....so that's good. I'll make sure she gets tested at the doc's at her next visit, since they told me to keep an eye on her.

With Elle, I can't slip much past her regarding taking her bg...she just knows. She's ok with it...Eri was just being so, ummm, big sister-ish and enjoyed freaking her out(total BRAT that she tends to be towards her little sister!!!)....

TRIED again to test Wil...kid woke up out of a sound sleep...he has major issues w/ needles!!!

Middle Aged Man · #6 (**permalink**) 06-30-2005, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eri's mom

Hi again...

I tested Elle, my youngest(she'll be 8 in Sept)...I TRIED to test Wil...why is it that boy is SOOOO petrified of needles???!!!?

Anyhow, her bedtime reading, no snack, was 152...I'm testing her first thing in the morning again for a FULL fasting reading...but, should I be concerned?(she was tested at 10 and hadn't eaten since 6...and she's my water drinker...AND she was swimming after she ate)...

I KNOW it has been mentioned b/f, but of COURSE I'm at a blank now...Eri said...Oh Elle, that's a little higher than it should be...and Elle FREAKED...I told her NOT to worry, that all is well, we'll just test her in the a.m.(she has NO problem w/ testing whatsoever)...but she cried and said, but what if I go low like Eri did when she first got it and have a seizure? That broke my heart...she was only 2 when Eri was dx'd, but remembers those seizures like VIVIDLY(she called it the "shakey dance")...
Elle has had random high readings before...like in the 300's and then lower ones(below 70)...but her A1c always came back normal....

I don't want to make anything out of this, it's just like AHHHH!!! OK weird ride, STOP!!! She's not showing really TOO many symptoms...tired, but she busts butt at Tae Kwon Do and she is a fish, she is a drinker, (that sounds SOOOO wrong when speaking of a 7 yo)....and bathroom...I don't think more than should be.
My mind just reels b/c they told me years back that she was "brewing" it.

I'm praying they were/are wrong, b/c the heartbreak in her voice tonight broke my heart hearing it.

If it will help you, you might consider that there are possible calories she took in and, as a kid, won't even think about. When I was on a swim team, we were encouraged to eat a full box of Jello powder for all the sugar before each match. If you'd asked me what I ate that day, I'd tell you, "nothing." She may also have downed a soda or juice with a friend. Any of that could spike her sugar temporarily and she wouldn't consider it or even think about it because it was just second nature.

Try to remain calm. One reading, even for a real diabetic, is never enough. You cannot even diagnose on less than two. If it really worries you, get her A1C tested and then you'll know for sure . . . 2-3 months of information in one test will tell you for certain.

I'm new here, and don't know you or your history. From this post alone, it seems you have a high likelihood of being just fine. I hope you all are just that! You're in my prayers.

Eri's mom · #7 (**permalink**) 06-30-2005, 08:24 PM

Hi there and welcome

I'm just going to have Elle's A1c checked when Eri goes next...
Afterall, they have told me to watch Elle b/c she has had random high and low readings....

Thanks for the input and prayers

Funnygrl · #8 (**permalink**) 07-02-2005, 08:07 PM

108 is kinda high for a fasting reading, but not much. No use in freaking out now, but it's worth being concerned over. Try and get one 2 hours after eating, and definately get her tested by a doctor, including glucose, c-pep, insulin, proinsulin, and a1c.

gettingby · #9 (**permalink**) 07-02-2005, 08:14 PM

Hang in there Robin. I'm sure everything will be fine. I'll be saying a daily prayer for you.

Eri's mom · #10 (**permalink**) 07-03-2005, 04:56 AM

Thanks all

I am going to test her again today...this whole week has been crazy, and making sure Eri is all tested and has had her shots has been a task(working now 3/4-10/11pm) appt. is being made Tuesday after we see the psychoendocrinologist(that's such a fun word to type out!!!)

DeusXM · #11 (**permalink**) 07-03-2005, 08:23 AM

Ok, I don't mean to come across as a bad-tempered grinch on this subject, but...

...this isn't the first thread where I've seen someone here with diabetes test a family member, discover that family member has a bg which is just a little bit above the so-called 'normal' range but certainly isn't enough to be classed as 'high', and starts worrying that the family member might also have diabetes.

BG levels in non-diabetics fluctuate greatly - I've even seen individuals who've had bgs of 14mmol/l (252mg/dl) who are not diabetic - bg levels go up and down and might be considered high but those people aren't necessarily diabetic or even have trouble keeping their bg under control.

Obviously BG is a marker for diabetes but it's not a be-all and end-all. In fact, the surefire way to test for diabetes is also the oldest - a urine test showing whether or not sugar and ketones are in the urine. Antibody tests are also a good way too. BG really isn't an accurate way of diagnosing diabetes - high BG can be a symptom of all sorts of things, most of which are far more benign than diabetes.

I don't mean to be cruel but if you're going to test your family then I'd say you're probably looking for diabetes and because obviously you're going to be hyper-aware of what bg levels run like, you're going to 'find' diabetes in your family members who you're testing, which is inflicting unnecessary stress on both you and the testee.

Unless the person you are testing is showing classic symptoms of diabetes then DON'T WORRY. A reading of 3-10 mmol/l (54-180mg/dl) is absolutely nothing to get worked up about in a non-diabetic, because these things happen - DP happens in non-diabetics too, you know.

If you're really that concerned then take whoever it is you're testing to a doctor, but personally I wouldn't go looking for diabetes unless its clear that there may be a problem.

Harold · #12 (**permalink**) 07-03-2005, 10:47 AM

The "gold standard" for diagnosing diabetes is an elevated blood sugar level after an overnight fast (not eating anything after midnight). A value above 140 mg/dl on at least two occasions typically means a person has diabetes. Make sure when you go in she is fasting. The Doc will want that first and it will save you a trip back. Between you me and everyone else here she does not sound like she is out of control yet. She does seem to show a predisposition, so it's best to keep a close eye.

Eri's mom · #13 (**permalink**) 07-03-2005, 08:11 PM

Well, the only reason for the concern is she showed classic "pre" signs b/f...and the endo told me to watch her b/c she is "brewing" diabetes.

No overreaction...just a simple question...
I am taking her in for an A1c again next month...that's what the endo had told me to do in FL.

As a matter of fact, she's had readings in the 300's and 200's and the high 100's...but not "diabetic"...and I pray she does NOT ever get it...

Harold · #14 (**permalink**) 07-03-2005, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eri's mom

the endo told me to watch her b/c she is "brewing" diabetes.

As a matter of fact, she's had readings in the 300's and 200's and the high 100's...but not "diabetic"...and I pray she does NOT ever get it...

Interesting! I think the endo has some insight into this. Has she had a c-peptide done to see if her insulin output is normal under fasting and while glucose loaded, or tested for anti-bodies?

Eri's mom · #15 (**permalink**) 07-04-2005, 07:24 AM

No...she hasn't.
That was the endo in FL, and now w/ being in NY, I'm getting some appt's set up for her up here. With Eri it has been a bit of a situation since we moved, and getting her readings under control has been a challenge(Lord I LOVE puberty!!...sooo NOT!!!)...

I'm sure the endo's up here will run all the correct tests.

We keep our eyes on her and her brother...as a matter of fact, they had been testing him since he was like 2 for diabetes b/c he showed a LOT of symptoms...but the boy can eat like there is no tomorrow, drink soda and then test a while later and still be around 88...I don't think he ever varied much from that number....and w/ all the eating he does, he's skinny as a rail. (he is now 14)...it seems to be the girls here...w/ Eri being dx'd at 6, and Elle(now 7), showing symptoms for a while w/ the readings...just not BEING(thank GOD)...I'm just watching her like a momma hawk.(I'm seriously not one to overreact easily at all...once an endo tells you to watch your child b/c they are "brewing" it, it kind of makes you a bit concerned when there are some random higher readings...)