Question about testing my daughter's blood sugar

[tymaxtess]

A bunch of you have suggested I go to a pharmacy and get a blood glucose monitor because they are inexpensive. However, when I looked at them, even though I can get one for $10-20, it seems as if they do not include the strips. The strips seem like the most expensive thing? It looks like I would need to spend at least $40 to check her sugars at home now before she sees the dr. on Monday. Is that right?

[Momof4gr8kids]

You can get a disposeable meter called a sidekick for $35, and it includes the strips.

If you have insurance, and can see the doctor for cheaper, you may want to just go in, and have them check it.

You can also buy ketone strips that will tell you how many ketones are spilling into her urine, which would let you know how bad off she is.

[madde]

Is there anyone in your family or circle of friends who is diabetic and has meter that you could use to test her a couple of times before Monday?

If not, yeah, the strips are rather expensive. The One Touch Ultra's for 25 are $25.00 at our local Wal-Mart.

[Emma'sDad]

I know the guy at my pharmacy would give you the meter and "sample" test strips. He often gives us free samples because we're a preffered customer :) I'm sure we're not the only ones he does that to. Often meter companies leave pharmacists free samples that they can distribute to their customers.

[tymaxtess]

I did just get the ketone strips. I'm gonna check when I get home tonight. I have friends with a child with diabetes, but I don't want to ask to use a meter just yet. Monday doesn't seem quite so far away now and I am keeping a very close eye on Tessa lately. The thirstiness has declined some and she is not peeing alot, so those are good signs that her pancreas is doing what it should--at least for now. Right?

[tymaxtess]

I know the guy at my pharmacy would give you the meter and "sample" test strips. He often gives us free samples because we're a preffered customer :) I'm sure we're not the only ones he does that to. Often meter companies leave pharmacists free samples that they can distribute to their customers.

That is a great idea!! I will have to stop back and see if they are willing to help me out. Is the $9 meter any less accurate?

[Momof4gr8kids]

There are standards to how acurate a meter has to be before it is marketed. I belive it has to be within 20pts. That's what most, or all meters are. The less expensive modles usually just have less bells and wistles, and may take a bit longer to give you a reading, but you really don't need it in 5 seconds if you are not worried about a low.

[tymaxtess]

Thanks--you guys have been tons of help!!!

[hartpukas]

It would be a good idea however to please remember that the lancet device (what you use to stick the finger for blood) should not be shared. However, if you do share it is important to use a new lancet and to thoroughly wipe the lancet device with alchol to prevent any contamination of blood. For some reason (curiousity, I know...), people always want me to check their blood sugar when they see me checking my daughter's and I tell them I am not comfortable sharing the lancet devices.

Just my two cents... Good luck with your checks and it may be worth it to splurge and buy the meter (they usually come with 8 or so test strips).

[madde]

Yes, I agree with the above post, definitely don't use the same lancet, by no means. Also use a fresh one and wipe with alcohol. I am so used to doing that, that I forgot to mention the safety of sharing.

Let us know how she is doing.

[allisa]

Stacy, I am going to jump in here again and suggest you DO NOT DO THIS yourself......

I think you will traumatize your daughter. If she doens't have anythign wrong with her, you have planted a seed that somthing COULD be wrong at any given moment. If she does have Diabetes....a doctor can diagnosis this immediately versus you trying to test for days......

I can't say it any clearer.....INSIST that your ped sees you again or refer you to an endo.....IF there is SUGAR IN HER UNRINE....she is diabetic.....NOTHING else results in sugar in urine....no sicknes...NOTHING.......this test will tell you more than a blodd sugar meter.....and more than ketones....ANYONE can have ketones....that test will tell you NOTHING !!

[tymaxtess]

Question: Could she have sugar in her urine and no ketones, or do the two go hand in hand?

I am NOT going to get a blood glucose monitor--Monday is close enough for now, but I did get ketone strips at Walmart. Her urine was good last night and this morning--no ketones. Does that mean no sugar too?

[EmmasMom]

Stacy,
The ketosticks are only for ketones, they do not test for sugar. Yes, you can have a lot of sugar in your urine and no ketones.

If she's negative for ketones she's not in immediate danger, so hopefully you can relax a little until Monday. (a urine dip once a day is not a bad idea) I know this is all very frustrating and scary, but try to hang in there! When you see the doctor Monday make sure they do everything possible to rule it out.
Also, if she starts to develop ketones or any other symptoms this weekend please take her to the ER just to be safe!

Best of Luck!!!

[allisa]

The 2 DO NOT have to go hand in hand.....

As I said, the only time you will see sugar in urine is when there is so much sugar in the blood that it gets filtered to the kidneys and the sugar is excreted out.

Ketones are a by-product of the body burning fat in order to get some glucose....people who are ill or on a carb free diet will often have ketones presnt....they are not in themselves usually dangerous.....

I rmeember in your origianl post you said she had sugar in her urine.....THERE SHOULD NEVER EVER BE SUGAR IN URINE.......IF your doctor said there was sugar in her urine.....and sent you home....it is high time to get a new doctor....if you mis-understood what he said then just take a deep breath, try to relax and wait til Monday.

If your gut is telling you to test.....then I recommend going to ER or walk in clinic smewhere and ASK THEM to do a urine test to see if there is any sugar present.

[momof6]

Sometimes I wonder who gives some of these dr's their licenses:rolleyes:

[tymaxtess]

Here is the thing-- we went to see a family dr when she was ill (our regular family doctor was on vacation) and he found the sugar in her urine and the bg of 249. He immediately sent us to a pediatrician for further eval. That pediatrician re-did the urine and it also had sugar. BG was normal by that time, though. He sent us home to come back in 2 days for a1c results (is there any reason that should take 2 days?).

Anyway, we went back and the a1c was 5.3 and bg 123. He sent us home on antibiotic for 2 weeks.

We then went to our regular family dr (back from vacation) because my son had a well-check. She was also OK waiting on the antibiotic.

THEN, I called a diabetes educator at the Children's Hospital (and I did mention the sugar in the urine and the 249 reading) and she also said it was OK to wait.

So-- 2 doctors and a diabetes educator do not seem to be overly worried about the sugar in the urine. Only the first family doctor--who sent me immediately to a pediatrician and suggested that we would probably be heading to Children's that day-- seemed really concerned.

So, if there should never be sugar in urine, why aren't they more concerned? Is it because they suspect she is in pre-diabetes but just aren't telling me that? Is it because she looks and acts so healthy?

[Momof4gr8kids]

Stacy, Some people in the medical profession are not educated enough about diabetes. My DD had classic signs of diabetes, and was almost sent home with the dx of a UI.

I assume the diabetic educator know what she is talking about, but all are not created equal. My DH (adult type 1) has seen some horrid ones who only seem to know about T2.

Your DD, if she is diabetic, is not in imedeate danger, but I think what everyone is concerned about is how fast this disease can progress, and how quickly a child can go down hill.

I am glad you are keeping an eye on ketones, and glad they have been negative. I really hope this isn't diabetes. Good luck!
Jamie

[momof6]

Stacy, Some people in the medical profession are not educated enough about diabetes. My DD had classic signs of diabetes, and was almost sent home with the dx of a UI.

I assume the diabetic educator know what she is talking about, but all are not created equal. My DH (adult type 1) has seen some horrid ones who only seem to know about T2.

Your DD, if she is diabetic, is not in imedeate danger, but I think what everyone is concerned about is how fast this disease can progress, and how quickly a child can go down hill.

I am glad you are keeping an eye on ketones, and glad they have been negative. I really hope this isn't diabetes. Good luck!
Jamie


Sad, but true. Since T1 only accounts for 10% of diabetes cases(t2 being 90%) most people just think it can't possibly be. While D' is growing, type1 is still considered rare in children.

[Pammers]

Stacy, you are in my prayers.

I hope that this all works out fine, but in the meanwhile, please be vigilant. Look out for vomiting or lethargy since that can mean things have started going downhill QUICKLY. How many of us gave our kids gatorade/pedialyte when they were going into DKA?

I don't know. Monday seems awfully far away right now....

[tymaxtess]

Thanks everyone. I am watching her closely. It makes me crazy every time she says she is thirsty! Could be totally normal thirst, but I am hypervigilant!