Early symptoms of Type I diabetes

[zoesmom]

Does Type I diabetes always present with a rapid onset in a child or are there cases where the patient has a history of symptoms that could indicate developing problems?  My daughter had always been in the 95 percentile for growth and two years ago had slipped to the 75th.  Her hair recently started falling out and I took her to her MD and she is now in the 50th percentile.  Although primarily healthy, when she gets sick she runs high fevers (105) and had fever of unknown origin twice at 4 and 6.  Although never diagnosed with it, I would say she has hypoglycemia.  We are having blood tests done but if anyone has any info/experiences to share I would appreciate it.

[HollyGoLitely]

You should definitely go to the thyroid forum.  I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism as a child, and I had these same exact symptoms.  I believe hair loss is a classic symptom of hypothyroidism.  In addition, I lost a lot of weight but because I stopped eating very much.  I guess normally you gain weight when you're hypo b/c you eat just as much & your body slows down.  However, I'm no doctor.

[ShannieK]

Hi, Switch over to the thyroid forum, post a new question for all of us over there, to see, I bet we can help get you some answers.  The symptoms you describe, I would have to agree, resemble more of a thyroid problem,  We'll see you on the other forum, good luck.

[JDRF-Team-LRS]

As you may know, we're not physicians here but are folks with considerable experience with Type 1 diabetes.  Do check out anything you read here with your pediatrician or a specialist.

Type 1 does usually show up rather quickly, but that doesn't mean there aren't possible markers ahead of that dx.

Slowed growth and hair loss are not among the symptoms usually indicating Type1.  The usual symptoms include excessive thirst, weight loss (related to getting more skinny rather than slowed growth in stature), frequent urination and sometimes lethargy, irritability.

What you describe may be related to other hormones including thyroid or pituitary.  This info from NIH describes hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone):
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000353.htm

It is not uncommon for folks with Type 1 to also have thyroid issues since they're both endocrine glands that can be attacked by an overactive immune system.  Type 1 and some forms of hypothyroidism are auto-immune diseases.

Seek out a referral to a pediatric endocrinologist.  YOu don't give your daughter's age, but I'm assuming she's still quite young.  Whaqtever is the cause, you are giving her the best chance of successful treatment by pushing the docs 'til you get a proper diagnosis & treatment plan.  Trust your instincts ...  Good luck & please do check in again for more comments and with an update when you have one.