Son's fasting level 110!

Shooter · #1 (**permalink**) 03-26-2007, 08:47 AM

I have been monitoring my son's fasting level these past few days and it is at 110. He is a very active boy, but not lately due to school schedules (he goes year-round/friends go on a traditional calender) so he has pretty much been playing video games these past two weeks until his friends are out on spring break.

He had a physical a couple months ago but no blood drawn and never has had blood drawn. He has always been in perfect health and his weight is proportionate to his height, though he is small (4'11''-90lbs). I asked his pediatrician if we should be concerned about diabetes since he does guzzle down soda. The doctor said no. Be concerned if he starts losing weight.

Should I be concerned?

sweetcheeks · #2 (**permalink**) 03-26-2007, 10:12 AM

I personally would be concerned, I feel that the fullflavored soda's played a BIG part in my diabetes, each can clearly has 10 tsp of sugar in it. Not saying it causes diabetes, but it doesnt help matters any.

samsmom · #3 (**permalink**) 03-26-2007, 10:26 AM

I would just watch it for a while and see what happens. My son's endo told us that if you are catching diabetes early, the first thing to go is the 2hr after meal number..she said that the fasting is the last thing to go south!! Do some random tests on him and see what kind of numbers turn up. If his thirst get excessive then take him in to the dr. I have had people ask me just what exactly "excessive" thirst is and I tell them that it is an insatiable thirst, the kid will guzzle water and it is very noticeable....my son was climbing the counter and sticking his mouth under the faucet.......watch for weight loss...If your son objects to being pokes, buy some glucose sticks and have him dip his urine....if there is color change it means glucose in the urine and you need to call the dr...

shannon

HollyB · #4 (**permalink**) 03-26-2007, 10:35 AM

I'm curious -- did you test his blood sugar because you notice he's been drinking a lot of soda, or what prompted you? You say he's in "perfect health" but there must have been something that worried you?

All available research shows that sugar in your diet does not cause Type 1 diabetes -- the type children most commonly get. So don't worry that he's drinking soda (at least not in terms of diabetes -- maybe in terms of his teeth and overall diet).

If he's constantly thirsty, though, that's something to watch. Would he drink just as much if the soda disappeared from the house and there was only water? Also, see if his energy level bounces back once his friends return. I know from experience it's hard to gauge weight loss in a growing boy -- they sometimes shoot up and get really skinny from growth, not illness -- but a combination of low energy, constant thirst and a lot of peeing could be warning signs.

110 is the upper end of normal. In a kid who felt well and showed no other signs, it wouldn't worry me at all.

SueM · #5 (**permalink**) 03-26-2007, 10:38 AM

If nothing else I would be concerned about his teeth soda diet or full sugar is the best thing out to rot teeth.
In all honesty though the only person to say if your son has diabetes is his Dr no one here can make a diagnoses.

cheryl · #6 (**permalink**) 03-26-2007, 11:03 AM

Well, what I do with my kids is let them have sprite once a month so I am not the mean one eyed devil monster since, my step kids are allowed to drink soda like water at whosever's house I had to come with some sort of level balance, so I buy a 12 pack once a month and when it goes oh well better luck next month is all I say to my kids and my step kids. Also I heard that you should not give children caffenated beverages till after they are 8 or 9 because this stunts there growth for some reason. I have worried about my kids developing diabetes like I have but, honestly there is nothing we can do to prevent type 1 as of yet, but I have always been a stickler with dairy products especially milk, I know they did a test a while back on kids and allergies to milk that could of possibly formed the antibodies to cause type 1 but this was done a while back and I got blasted on another forum because this test came back inconclusive, but I still got my personal feelings on it. So I have always given my children as babies breastmilk or soy formula and I still buy soy for the kids I mean they drink milk too, but I am more about soy in my house, don't know if it has helped so far but they are still fine.....and it don't hurt. OH and one more note, I was not allowed soda as a child and I got diabetes at 12 so that is something else to think about, I was totally close to a vegetarian diet and what not growing up after the age of 5 and I still got this at 12 so who knows all I know is that I was fed milk and my brother's weren't and they are fine and i am the one with diabetes lol........so that is why I do what I do, not that it means anything but it is my piece of mind.

anyway now that I have blabbed, I honestly don't think soda is going to cause type 1 diabetes, but if it is caffenated it will stunt growth......just be cautious and just do what I do test there sugars once a week fasting if it is above 126 then it is time to make a dr's appointment for further testing....

Cheryl

Shooter · #7 (**permalink**) 03-26-2007, 11:09 AM

I just tested him two full hours after he ate lunch and his reading was 138. Holly, you asked if I tested him because he drinks alot of soda? That was exactly the reason. But if soda is not a culprit then I should not worry.

Sue, thanks for the reminder about the teeth. They (I have 2 sons) get 2 check-ups a year and so far so good. They have never had a cavity or any other gum or teeth problems. Their next check-up is June.

I will test him for a few more days. He doesn't mind getting stuck, as a matter of fact he finds it very interesting. Thank you all for your help. I will keep you posted.

DeusXM · #8 (**permalink**) 03-26-2007, 12:17 PM

Would say it's doubtful. 110 isn't high by any stretch of the imagination and children tend to have a wider range of BG readings, if memory serves correctly.

I don't mean to sound harsh but if there aren't any symptoms, give the kid a break. There's no prizes for catching T1 before it becomes symptomatic and it's just a lot of extra worry for both of you.

HollyB · #9 (**permalink**) 03-26-2007, 01:37 PM

That was actually the other thing I was going to say. If he does just happen to be in early stages of Type 1, there's nothing you can really do about it now. No sense getting him worried about something that at this points seems quite unlikely to happen.

someone · #10 (**permalink**) 03-26-2007, 02:09 PM

I don't think you have anything to worry about. 110 is perfect and 138 is normal for after a meal.

wiseguy · #11 (**permalink**) 03-26-2007, 03:32 PM

Although it doesn't appear that you should be overly concerned at this time, nobody can fault you for being a conscientious parent. It would be a good idea to steer your son away from the sugar laden soft drinks, especially if there is a family history of diabetes.

someone · #12 (**permalink**) 03-26-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiseguy

Although it doesn't appear that you should be overly concerned at this time, nobody can fault you for being a conscientious parent. It would be a good idea to steer your son away from the sugar laden soft drinks, especially if there is a family history of diabetes.

I would guess you are referring to type 2 diabetes?

1. He is not overweight
2. He is still young

The chances of developing type 2 diabetes are EXTREMELY low.

Shooter · #13 (**permalink**) 03-26-2007, 04:08 PM

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

Funnygrl · #14 (**permalink**) 03-26-2007, 05:02 PM

110 fasting is clearly abnormal. Deus- kids generally tend to run lower than adults.

That being said- meters are not always right on in terms of accuracy.

wiseguy · #15 (**permalink**) 03-26-2007, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by someone

I would guess you are referring to type 2 diabetes?

1. He is not overweight
2. He is still young

The chances of developing type 2 diabetes are EXTREMELY low.

The sugar laden soft drinks are not good for anyone and are certainly not part of a healthy diet. You cannot start learning to live a healthy lifestyle at too young an age. I wonder how many type 2 diabetics on this forum had an EXTREMELY low chance of acquiring the disease. The chance of becoming diabetic is not EXTREMELY LOW ENOUGH for anyone.