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BGL for children?

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Posted 1/7/2011 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everybody, popping over from the A/P with a question for you guys.  As you may remember my husband was diagnosed Type 1 (LADA) last year at 40 yrs old.  We of course have concerns regarding our daughter, and her chances of developing diabetes as well.

I am on alert regarding the symptoms, trying to find the balance between necessary concern and needless worry (which is of course my specialty;p)

I have noted some increase in thirst, but not alarming levels.  I've noticed that she has not gained much weight lately, and the other day, I could smell her breath (she has never had bad breath) and while not exactly sweet, was odd.

She is due for a check-up, but before I bring her in, do you think that we should go ahead and do a BGL test at home?  IMO, this would be a lot less traumatic than getting a full blood draw at a lab.  Her doctor ordered one when she was about 6 (almost 3 yrs. ago) and I asked "Why?"  This was before he dad's dx.  She said that she wanted to rule out anemia (routine for her practice)  I refused the test, thinking it unecessary and traumatic for a perfectly healthy child.

If we do the finger test, what should her fasting BGL be?  Would it be different than for an adult? (>90)

Any input from you guys would be appreciated, thanks!

Scaredy Cat

Posted 1/7/2011 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi SC!  I am not familiar with differences in children's blood sugar compared to adults, so this is what I found online at  www.buzzle.com/articles/normal-blood-sugar-levels-in-children

from their website:

Normal Blood Sugar Levels in Children Charts

Time of Test Blood sugar (gm/dl)
Fasting levels 70 - 110
Immediately post prandial < 130
Two hours after a meal < 100


Age of Child Blood sugar (gm/dl)
Infant/toddlers 110
School children 70 - 100
Young adults 70 - 120
Posted 1/7/2011 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
Post-prandial means after eating.  If she's watched her dad test his own blood sugar than it might not be as traumatic if you test her blood sugar at home but I'm wondering if just doing that would cause alarms for her anyway.  (And if she senses your nervousness, well, you see what I mean?)  I would not be or act overly concerned at this point but would tell her doctor your concerns.  In the meantime just keep an eye on her.  Extreme lethargy or fainting/feeling faint or dizzy would make me call her doctor right away.  Maybe others with children with diabetes can give you better answers.  Good luck! 
Posted 1/8/2011 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
I have a 5year old boy and this kid goes in spurts on everything. He will eat us out of house and home for several days and then will hardly eat anything for a few days. He does the same thing with drinks. Some days I think he is part fish trying to keep from drowning in the air and other days that he is part camel who has a full hump of water...LOL. He will also go through growth spurts. For the 1st 3 years he grew and grew very steadily. After turning 3 he does so in these big spurts. He won't grow an inch or put on a pound for months at a time and then bam!! he grows and inch or two and put on 5 lbs in a week or 2.

Because I am diabetic and diabetes runs in his Mom's side of the family they test his BGL at every checkup and so far at least he reads as 100% normal. (They only do an Accu-check on him and do it from the same blood draw they take to do lead screenings and other required blood work kids in our state are required to have.
Posted 1/8/2011 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys for the great input/info. I will let you know what I decide, and what results we get either from home, or from the dr.s.

On a happy note, my hubby still has some pancreatic function, in that his levels are still pretty good with just one 24 hr. lantus injection. No bolus needed yet!:)

He is exercising more, yeah! Now I just need to get him off the beer...I keep trying to convince him that is just liquid bread! lol!

Thanks again, and take care,
S.C.
Posted 1/8/2011 8:25 AM (GMT 0)
The way I got my diagnosis for type 1 at the age of 11-12. I drank a lot of water and woke up to go to the toilet once or even a few times a night. Smelled like acetone. Mom must have somehow managed to test my urine for glucose with some strips, and then they took me for a check up. My blood glucose levels were more than twice the normal and I must have been slightly dehydrated. I had to spend some time in the hospital after diagnosis and they taught me how to take care of this, but I think it's good that I got the diagnosis and treatment. I don't know how a 9-year old would take it, but it's important to get treatment anyhow.

I never realized there was a difference for BGL between children and adults. It should be simple to see there is a problem from the finger test, considering that mine was 2-3 times higher than normal high limit and I hadn't even eaten that much. The result from the lab said 22 when normal on this scale is around 5 or 6, and it usually stays under 9 for non-diabetics even after lunch as far as I can remember.
Posted 1/8/2011 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for sharing your story Chaul. I'll let you know how it goes...and I hope that you are doing well!:)
S.C.
Posted 1/8/2011 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
If you can't get him to give up the beer totally try getting him to go with a low carb beer.

MGD light has 2.4g, Michelob Ultra has 2.6g, Natural Light 3.2g, Miller Light 3.2g. This is per 12oz serving. This is compared to 12-20g of carbs for regular beers.
Posted 1/8/2011 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Jim, I'll keep those in mind-they have super low carb ratings! I don't know that he'll go for those as he is somewhat of a 'beer-snob' and currently his levels are pretty good...but there may come a time when he'll need to either give it up, or switch to light.

Okay, I asked my daughter if she wanted to test. I decided that if it was going to cause her undue stress (thanks for your wise input Lanie!) I would hold off. She was like "O.k., let's do it" I went first, to show her that you hardly feel it (I don't feel it at all, and I'm squeamish) and she went after. She was a champ! Her reading was 82, so I guess she's in the clear!

Thanks again everybody for your help. I will be around from time to time in regards to my husband. I wish you all the best of numbers until next time;)

Take care,
Scaredy Cat
Posted 1/8/2011 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
I think a matter-of-fact manner is best so your daughter doesn't start obsessing about this.  If you are concerned about possible diabetes rearing its head, you can make her doctor aware of that (although he should be aware of family history anyway, but...) and let him do blood tests along with her regular check-ups.  As a mom, I'm sure you're very keen about what she's eating and doing anyway, so if there's anything 'off', you'll know it, like gaining too much weight or losing too much weight, thirst, etc.  Have a great weekend!

  smurf  Take care! 

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