Am I right to be worried

[snookhams]

friends think that I am worrying over nothing, and would really like some others opinions, as we all know our children the best.

Eldest DS 18yrs old has been under the weather since January, he has had one cold after another sometimes with less than a week between the end of one lot of symptoms before the sore throat etc begins again. He is constantly tired (in fact I am fed up with him telling me that), has lost over a stone in weight and now at 6'7" weighs 12 st 10lb, and is drinking and weeing alot, my 2 boys have used a 2 litre bottle of squash in 2 days!!! and has apart from odd occassions has lost his appetite. I have taken him to GP twice and he has had 2 rounds of blood tests, but nothing conclusive, but I know that he is not right and something is wrong - on Saturday I checked his blood sugars 2 hours after eating using a simple diabetic meter and he registered 3.8 is this low or normal i don't know, have tried ringing GP but he won't discuss with me as he is over 15, I am at a loss now - am I worried over nothing or do others think that something is wrong - he really is not my easy going gentle giant anymore.
Thanks

 

[fav_is_tink]

Hi, not an expert by any stretch of the imagination but will give you an opinion through my experience of working with children!
Currently we have a six year old boy who has type 1 diabetes in our setting, some of his symptoms were similar at the age of 4 when he was diagnosed [although not the recurring colds] ! We have to do his blood sugar tests when he is in our care and if he goes below 4.0mmol then he needs glucose tablets and carbs. I'd probably advise your DS to make another doctors appointment for your piece of mind and just stress your concern!
Hope things get better soon

 

[PoppyAnna]

friends think that I am worrying over nothing, and would really like some others opinions, as we all know our children the best.

Eldest DS 18yrs old has been under the weather since January, he has had one cold after another sometimes with less than a week between the end of one lot of symptoms before the sore throat etc begins again. He is constantly tired (in fact I am fed up with him telling me that), has lost over a stone in weight and now at 6'7" weighs 12 st 10lb, and is drinking and weeing alot, my 2 boys have used a 2 litre bottle of squash in 2 days!!! and has apart from odd occassions has lost his appetite. I have taken him to GP twice and he has had 2 rounds of blood tests, but nothing conclusive, but I know that he is not right and something is wrong - on Saturday I checked his blood sugars 2 hours after eating using a simple diabetic meter and he registered 3.8 is this low or normal i don't know, have tried ringing GP but he won't discuss with me as he is over 15, I am at a loss now - am I worried over nothing or do others think that something is wrong - he really is not my easy going gentle giant anymore.
Thanks

My partner is Diabetic so I know a little bit about it. The symptoms you mention are along the lines of untreated Diabetes. However, I'm not sure about the constant cold and sore throat and if his weight loss has been since January then thats quite slow. A blood glucose reading of 3.8 is roughly within "normal" range, although I must stress each individual has his or her own "normal range" but the text books say 4 - 8 is normal. I take mine sometimes when I feel dizzy and shaky and I can be 3.5. The weight loss, tiresness and fluid in/out symptoms are classic symptoms but I would say it's usually more rapid than that. I watched my Richard lose a stone in two weeks and drink pints and pints of milk and water (as they were the coldest drinks in the house that would quench his thirst!).
I went to the GP with him for the first appointment and the GP said straight away in his office that it looked like he was Diabetic, and the blood tests proved he was.
I suggest you demand another blood test and you need to request a reading called the "HBA1C" this determines the average glucose levels of a blood cell over it's life span before it's renewed (every ten days or so??). This will give the docs the definitive answer if your son is Diabetic or Pre-Diabetic.

May I ask is this your son that swims a lot? Exercise can seriously lower your blood glucose levels, is your son eating correctly for his activity? For instance, the more exercise my DH does the less insulin he needs, blood sugar levels are a delicate balance and it may just be that as body is changing and his activity levels increase he needs to balance his food in differently.

My partner is Type I and TBH the medical profession still don't really know why he became Diabetic at the age of 40 with none of the classic risk factors. One more modern thinking doctor said although early days one study could point towards certains viruses triggering Diabetes.

Hope this helps, please PM me if you have any questions

 

[Ware Bears]

I think Mums always know their children best so no, I don't think you are worrying unnecessarily. I'd definitely push your son to go back to the GP.

 

[jockey]

If your worried at all go to your GP. You may be worrying over nothing but at least it will put your mind at rest.

 

[mandymouse]

I think Mums always know their children best so no, I don't think you are worrying unnecessarily. I'd definitely push your son to go back to the GP.

I agree, we always know when things aren't right, so go with your gut instinct and go and see your doctor again. I hope you get some answers soon

 

[snookhams]

Thanks for all your replies, it has been a bad few days, DS has been training but less than half of his normal amount as he just doesnot have the energy to do more. I have made another GP appointment and I have told him that I am coming with him so will hopefuly get to the bottom of it all

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Has he had the test for Glandular Fever .... the sore throats, low immunity and the tiredness sounds very familiar. Hope you get it sorted and if you are not happy go back to the GP. Sending hugs

 

[natalielongstaff]

Has he had the test for Glandular Fever .... the sore throats, low immunity and the tiredness sounds very familiar. Hope you get it sorted and if you are not happy go back to the GP. Sending hugs

glandular fever was my 1st thought as well

good luck at the doctors

 

[poppie123]

glandular fever was my 1st thought as well

And mine, sounds just like how i felt when i had it.

 

[joolz1910]

Trust your own instincts. I hope you get to the bottom of this.

 

[snookhams]

just wanted to let everyone know that we finally have an answer - which we could have been given following the first blood test, but the Doctor either failed to notice or thought nothing of it. DS has Gilberts syndrome a mild liver condition in which the body lacks the enzyme that breaks down the billirubin. I raised this with the GP on our first visit as it is a condition that I have and my father and it is hereditary. His first unconjugated bilirubin came back at 30 a normal level is around 17, his test 2 weeks after the first had a level of 41. Most Doctors will tell you that this condition has no symptoms but alot of sufferers will tell you different. We saw a locum and at first insisted that all was fine, I specifically asked what the liver function test looked like, and then all was revealed, so now we can get on with helping him feel better, he has started taking milk thistle which most sufferers belive help with the symptoms.

 

[Dimplenose]

Well it's good to know what the problem is but rather annoying that you knew more than the doctor. Is the condition going to cause him many problems or lifestyle changes?

 

[Ware Bears]

Yes, it's good that you now know what's wrong but what a great shame that you weren't told this in the beginning, it would have saved you a lot of worry. Hope your DS soon feels better.

 

[jockey]

So glad you managed to find out what it was