Blood sugars fluctuating?

[shapiro4]

My 14 year old daughter has not been diagnosed, but we have been keeping track of her blood sugars for a few weeks. They are all over the board. Her morning fasting is about 115 on average. About 1/2 hour after she eats she sometimes dips down, her lowest was down to 57. Today she had a high carb lunch (sandwich and chips) and she went up to 170 two hours after eating. She has been loosing weight for six months and they can not figure out why (numerous GI tests, blood work, etc.). She has an appointment with endocrine doctor, but not for another 10 days or so. Any advise on diet, etc until we visit the doctor. My dad has type 1, so I know a little about it but not enough. Thanks!

Jill

[xMenace]

Not outragious numbers. What's her regimen like -- mdi, pump, etc? What's her A1C?

I'm surprised you don't have a regular endo. Primary care Physicians are generally not up to speed with the latest techniques. Actually many endo's aren't either.

If she's loosing weight, I have to think of the possibility that she has an eating disorder and my not be taking her insulin.

Sugar control is an art. For many of us it takes lots of 'smart' work to achieve great numbers. For others, it just falls into place. A couple of books to consider: "Think Like a Pancreas" by Gary Scheiner and "Using Insulin" by John Walsh. You don't need both. If she pumps, then "Pumping Insulin" by Walsh is a must too.

[Mothernature]

If you are concerned she is diabetic, she needs to go on a reduced carb diet. 100-130 carbs/day. Instead of bread use a low carb torilla or a piece of lettuce.

We traveled to Walmart (1.5 hours round trip) to pick up discounted food and diabetic supply (in bulk). We were hungry so we stopped at Subway. I ordered a chicken sub with low carb veggies. I ate everything but the bread. Tossed em away.

HTH

[Mindstorm]

With her numbers all over the place, I wonder if it wouldn't be more likely that it was Type 1.5 instead of Type 1. When I was prediagnosis I cannot recall ever having symptoms that were reminiscent of a low blood sugar, which is what she should've experienced if hers were down to 57.

Either way, it's best to keep her on a lower carb diet for sure and to try to get her endo appointment moved up if possible.

Has she been drinking more water than usual, been hungrier than usual, etc? (Common Type I symptoms, a full list of which are posted elsewhere on this forum.)

The lows after meals seem unusual to me, but it could be a symptom of Type I as well. I'm not familiar with what happens to your sugars before your pancreas gives out pre-diagnosis. She might be getting towards the final months before most people are diagnosed, assuming her blood sugar issues are related to diabetes (and not something else that is affecting her pancreas).

Just keep a watchful eye on her. If she gets really worrisome symptoms like being very weak and unable to get out of bed you should probably go to the ER and tell them what you know so far about her symptoms (weight loss, high and low blood sugars, etc).

What's her regimen like -- mdi, pump, etc? What's her A1C?

She hasn't been diagnosed yet, so she's probably not on any sort of treatment, just being tested regularly by her parents.

[mortis505]

I honestly would not wait for the appointment. Take her to the E.R. and have them check her with a glucometer. Explain all the symptoms she has, and take the meter you have with you to show them the issues. A lot can happen in 10 days.

[sarahspins]

Funny how once someone is banned and has posts removed on another forum.. similar stories start cropping up elsewhere...

Do yourself and your family a favor, GET HELP.

You cannot diagnose diabetes at home with a home meter. If you are concerned with your daughter's glucose levels, get her evaluated by a doctor, who will perform diagnositic tests with a LAB, and quit poking your child (if you actually have one) for no reason. It's cruel, and uncessecary unless she has officially been diagnosed with diabetes. There is no "not officially diagnosed yet" - that is called "not diabetic."