What Is Type 1 Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that affects the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body’s immune system instead of attacking something that does not belong to you like a virus or a bacteria, attacks a particular body system for an undetermined reason. In type 1 diabetes, the autoimmune system attacks the beta cells of the pancreas which are the ones that produce insulin.
Beta cells in the pancreas are responsible for producing insulin (a hormone) that breaks down glucose in the body (the primary type of sugar in the bloodstream). Since the immune system attacks the beta cells in the pancreas, the cells cannot produce the insulin needed to maintain healthy sugar levels in the bloodstream.
Overeating, sugar intake, lack of exercise, or poor dietary health does not cause type 1 diabetes.
Although scientists do not know how type 1 diabetes originates, research indicates that patients with type 1 diabetes have a genetic predisposition.
Once an individual is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, there is no cure other than lifelong treatment including insulin injection and blood glucose monitoring.
Children with type 1 diabetes will require daily insulin injections, and glucose levels will need control through consistent, daily monitoring.
How Do I Know If My Child Has Type 1 Diabetes?
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes are often not observable right away and may occur suddenly or advance gradually, whereas in type 2 diabetes insulin production still occurs, yet abnormally. The most common symptoms of diabetes are frequent urination, increased thirst, hunger, weight loss, and fatigue.
What exams and symptoms can help determine if my child has type 1 diabetes?
Diagnosing type 1 diabetes in children requires a blood exam. Your child’s doctor has different blood glucose exams that will determine type 1 diabetes.
The various tests include:
- Random blood sugar test. Pediatric blood sugar levels are tested at random times. In the presence of symptoms as described above, a random blood sugar level above 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 11.1 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) is consistent with diabetes.
- Gylcated hemoglobin (A1C) test which is the average blood glucose for the past three months can be measured and an AC1 level of 6.5 percent or higher in two separate exams indicate diabetes.
- Fasting blood sugar test. Blood sugar is examined after your child fasts overnight. A Mayo Clinic scientists indicate that a fasting blood sugar level of 126mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher indicates type 1 diabetes.
- Oral glucose tolerance test can be ordered. A fasting blood sugar is measured and after drinking a sugary drink, a blood sugar test is repeated after 2hrs. A fasting blood sugar of 126 mg/dL and a 2 hrs post prandial blood sugar test above 200 mg/dL is consistent with diabetes.
Although type 1 diabetes symptoms may not always be evident in every child, common symptoms include:
- Frequent urination. The kidneys produce urine to flush out the body of excess glucose. When the kidneys detect high glucose levels (usually above 180 mg/dL), they produce more urine to rid the body of the sugar surplus resulting in frequent urination.
- Always thirsty. Therefore, increased peeing will deplete the body of proper hydration. To maintain normal blood sugar level for children with lost fluids, they often complain of always being thirsty or often become dehydrated.
- Fatigue and sleepiness. Due to unhealthy and inconsistent pediatric glucose levels in children (needed for energy), they may consistently feel tired or lethargic.
- Weight loss. As your child grows, healthy weight gain is expected. Since children who have type 1 diabetes have unhealthy glucose levels, which deplete the cells of the energy needed for growing cells, muscles are often broken down to feed malnourished cells and result in unexplainable weight loss.
What Treatments Are Available If My Child Has Type 1 Diabetes?
Working closely with your child’s physician or diabetes specialist is essential to diabetes treatment. Since there are no current cures for type 1 diabetes, a treatment plan is necessary to help regulate your child’s pediatric blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes treatment for child includes:
Insulin injections and other medications determined by your child’s doctor are required. Any person diagnosed with type 1 diabetes will need life-long insulin treatment. There are many insulin types and ways to administer dosages, including injections via fine needles, insulin pens, and or insulin pumps. Your child’s doctor will determine which type of insulin will best suit your child’s body and needs. Supplemental medications may also be required.
- Regular blood sugar monitoring. On average, you will need to check your child’s blood sugar four times daily or more (before every meal and bedtime and any time they have symptoms of high or low blood sugar). Your doctor will provide information on the right blood glucose monitoring system and testing methods your child will need.
- Healthy nutrition habits including monitoring carbohydrate intake. Although diet and exercise are not responsible for the onset of type 1 diabetes, they are essential factors for every type 1 diabetes patient. Children with type 1 diabetes need foods high in nutrition, low in fat and calories, such as vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and whole grains. Your doctor will communicate the importance of counting carbohydrates that factor into specific insulin dosages.
- Regular physical activity. Doctors agree that children with type 1 diabetes need at least 60 minutes of regular exercise daily. Make physical activity part of your daily routine with a short walk around your neighborhood, frequent trips to your local park, or if those options are unavailable, playing in the backyard or dancing in the living room will do wonders for your child’s overall diabetes health and wellness.
What Are The Types of Healthy and Unhealthy Blood Sugar Levels in Children With Type 1 Diabetes?
Monitoring your child’s glucose levels is essential for healthy diabetes health. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) in children can affect their target blood sugar range as determined by your pediatrician or specialist.
Teaching your child the symptoms of low and high blood sugar levels is also important for effective treatment.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
A blood sugar of 70 mg/dL or lower is usually considered hypoglycemia. There are multiple factors for low blood sugar levels.Some of the causes of hypoglycemia include but are not limited to taking too much insulin, eating less carbs for the amount of insulin given, and exercise.
Symptoms may include:
- Shakiness, sweating, dizziness
- Irritability or mood changes
- As hypoglycemia gets worse, you can have neurological changes such as difficulty concentrating or confusion, loss of coordination or slurred speech, loss of consciousness/seizures.
It is very important to always have fasting acting carbs available and your glucagon emergency kit.
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
Hyperglycemia occurs when your child’s blood sugar levels are above the target pediatric blood sugar range. Illness, excessive food or sugary drinks, and low insulin can result in hyperglycemia. Symptoms and signs may include:
- Frequent urination and increased thirst
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Fatigue or increased sleepiness
Are There Any Potential Life-Threatening Pediatric Glucose Levels in My Child With Type 1 Diabetes?
Administering home tests on your child’s blood glucose monitoring system is the first step to determine if your child’s symptoms are related to any harmful blood glucose levels. When in doubt, test your child’s blood glucose level frequently.
In addition to monitoring blood glucose levels, over the counter ketone test kits are available at your local pharmacy. If ketone levels are high, do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s doctor or visit the emergency room. This can be a life-threatening emergency called diabetes ketoacidosis.
Creating a plan for alarming blood glucose levels is necessary when you and your physician discuss your child’s diabetes plan.
Knowing your child’s specific blood glucose levels is vital for effective monitoring and administering insulin. Always keep your child’s doctor visits and track changes, including any
new medications, dosages, or habits your doctor recommends.
At Pediatric Endocrine and Metabolic Center of Florida, we have a team of board-certified pediatric endocrinologists. Our mission is a commitment to serving the health care needs of your children. Contact us if your child needs a diagnosis and treatment for Type 1 Diabetes.