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Wednesday, October 14, 2009 desperate mom asks

Q: New diagnosis? Young child age 5...Should i get second opinion?

my son is 5 and is possibly diabetic or turning...How can i be sure, he shows no signs and symptoms and is on antiboiotic and asthma meds that appear to elevate his blood sugar? is there anyone who can give me some advice?  His numbers are range from 85-300...

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10/14/09 8:37pm

Hello there. Sometimes medications like prednisone (steriods) can increase blood sugars even in a person without diabetes. However, one does not necessarily have to have increased urination, increased drinking or weight loss to be diagnosed with diabetes. There are 3 ways to diagnose diabetes (please see my most recent blog on www.healthcentral.com). One way to really help to see if these high blood sugars are only secondary to your son's asthma meds and or antibiotic is to have your doc do a hb A1c test. If the A1c is less than 6, it is less likely that your son has diabetes; but I caution that he could be just starting to develop diabetes. If his A1c is greater than 6, it is more likely. If still not sure, your doc will ask you to continue to check blood sugars. If they still are elevated after stopping the asthma meds, diabetes is a more likely diagnosis. Hope this helps.

DrCogen

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