BG of 156 in a nondiabetic child... sign of trouble?

[MomNancy]

We have a diabetic cat which I monitor frequently using a OneTouchUltra meter at home.  Today my daughter cut her finger sufficient enough to produce a large glob of blood.  Being a curious six-year-old, she asked me to test her blood.  I said sure and was shocked to receive a reading of 156.  Is this potentially "normal" for a nondiabetic child or should I call the pediatrician (who I called twice and brought my daugher to see once within the past two weeks, thanks to an unexpected bout with chickenpox)?  I'm not looking for medical advice, just a general opinion as to whether I should be concerned enough to call the pediatrician yet again this month.  Thank you.

[TonyAlmeida]

156 - that's pretty normal for non-diabetic people.  Depends on what she ate prior or how active or not she was just before (remember - adrenalin also raises sugar and so does just sitting).  My parents are non-diabetic and their sugars hit that and higher but go down as well.

Unless she is showing the symptoms of diabetes (the constant urination, constant drinking of water, etc.) - I would worry.  But if it would put your mind at ease, have your family doctor do an A1C on her .... that will tell you.

[MomNancy]

Thank you for your response.  I will update when I know more.  Best wishes to you, too.

[MomNancy]

PS... when I wrote "today," I meant Monday since it's 1 a.m. Tuesday now.  Thanks.

[JDRF-Team-dm]

Dear MomNancy,

Thank you for reaching out to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I am not a doctor and am not qualified to give you medical advice. However I can give you my own personal experience.

A blood sugar of 156 is outside the guidelines for someone without diabetes. It can depend on when you tested her and the last time she had had a meal. I would however recommend that you take her to her pediatrician as soon as possible just to be sure. If she does not have type 1 diabetes it will allieviate your fear and if she does than the sooner she is under a doctors care the better.

Please let us know what you find out.

Best Wish's,
dm