6yr old has some symptoms but not all

[Nitsirk]

My daughter's teacher and I have been discussing the possibility of her having diabetic symptoms.  After doing some research I have noted that she has some of the symptoms but not all.  She craves (with a capital C) sweets.  She has melt downs if we don't feed her immediately.  She drinks water incessantly and pees frequently (although to be honest I'm not sure what over-excessive urination actually is.. how many trips to pee is too many?)  What started this discussion was she has major melt downs in the class and we noticed it happened around the same time everyday.  She is at school at 7:30AM - snack at 9:00 - lunch at 10:50 AM - and meltsdown around 1:30PM and screaming for food all the way home from school like she's going to die if she doesn't eat!  I started taking crackers and juice for her to eat on our 5 minute walk home from school because it was exhausting telling her we'd be home in five minutes and she could eat then.  Our teacher & I decided to allow her to step outside the classroom by herself and eat a quick snack at 1:30 and that seems to control the irritability.  

I have no idea what I should be smelling on her breath or anything else.  Is what I've written enough to ask for a test?  Or Do you think this is just normal for a cooped up child?  Thanks for any help you may provide me.  I just want to know what made you (as parents) think diabetes and actually go for testing?

PS: Type 2 runs in my family but not Type 1.  My uncle just passed away from renal failure as did my grandmother. Mom has it as well as my sister.

[Nitsirk]

That is an excellent idea. We went in yesterday for a 12 hour fasting glucose test and the doctor (after discussing my reasons and her symptoms) decided to just give her the finger ***** test.  She came in at 104 - which is not diabetes but high enough to schedule futher testing. We went in for another 12 hour fast lab test this morning and I won't have the results for a few days.  The doctor WAS surprised at the 104 because he really thought she would come in around 60 to 70.  

I wish I had a meter to test her at 1:30... can you rent one anywhere?  

[JDRF Team SGG]

One more thing that has not been mentioned... hypoglycemia. Some kids develop LOW glucose levels before developing diabetes. It may be smart to also ask the doctor to do a random glucose check at about 1:30, the time when she is normally starting to show symptoms that something is wrong. I notice that when my glucose levels drop low, my mouth gets dry, which feels somewhat like the thirst caused by HIGH glucose levels. So a fasting sugar test and perhaps a random test at 1:30 would be what I would ask for. Glucose levels change all day long, and so if the test is done only as a fasting pre-breakfast test and she DOES NOT have diabetes, then your doctor will tell you that nothing is abnormal. Testing her during one of her "spells" may be smart.

[Nitsirk]

Thank you both for the quick replies.  I understand you must answer this question a lot, but it's my first time asking :-) So I really appreciate your answers!  But you are right - it's worth checking just for the sake of mind. I have scheduled her for a glucose test this Wed.  And you are right that I do understand the seriousness of diabetes.  I was supposed to donate my kidney to my uncle but unfortunately he never got healthy enough for the transplant.  

Thanks again for your kindness.

[TonyAlmeida]

Rule of Thumb - and I'm not being mean ... if you're concerned, have a doctor test her for diabetes.  It's worth the money (if that's an issue) to save your child's life.  Everything else is just second guessing ... and Diabetes is not a chronic illness to second guess with.  (Since you know Type 2s, you already know this fact.)

That way, you'll either put your mind at ease or be able to take the next steps for treatment.

Fruity smelling breath, constant hunger, wanting sweets, wanting water - can be tell tale signs of Diabetes .... or the signs of some other issue.

Frequent Urination = Constant Urination.  And by that I mean almost living in the bathroom with urine that is coming out as clear as the water you just drank.

[JDRF-Team-cb]

I think it would be very wise to have your daughter checked out by a medical professional.  Having a blood test called a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)is probably what they will suggest.  I think that any time you have any questions about your childs health, mental or physical you should call your pediatrician.  It is always better to find out sooner rather than later if there is diabetes or any other health problem.  I have been worried at times that my son is urinating too frequently or not eating enough or too much juice.  I have tested his blood with my own glucometer.  
Some of the symptoms you have mentioned your daughter has been experiencing do sound suspicous.  Diabetic symptoms are frequent urination, constant thirst, lethargy and moodiness.