Autistic 4 year old drinks a lot … sign of diabetes?

[Anonymous]

My son drinks a lot ( juice, water, etc ) . He will finish his drink and would want another one. If there’s water in it he will take his time drinking it or drink it fast so he can get some juice. He runs constantly, full of energy and doesn’t take a nap in the day. I’m worried he might have diabetes due to him drinking and eating a lot. His breath smells weird to me but I think it might just be because I use the strawberry/banana oragel toothpaste that has a strong scent to it. I don't know I think I’m being paranoid.. any advice?

[crmoore]

In addition to him drinking a lot, does he appear to be urinating frequently? I don't recall 100% perfectly but I think drinking a lot paired with frequent urination (but I think also like many small bathroom breaks rather than the usual few but long urinations, like urinating frequently without a full bladder) is a sign of diabetes.

One thing you can do is take him to the doctor and get a blood test for him. They can use the blood to determine if he is diabetic or even pre-diabetic (which means not yet diabetic but getting dangerously close).

In addition to that, or alternatively (but if this is a real concern I would suggest not foregoing the blood test) you can substitute his juice with water (water has no sugar, juice usually does). You can also lower his intake of sugary food or food that turn into sugar during digestion. So that would be things like candy and fruits, or things that turn into sugar like breads and potatos.

[Iron_Man]

Just test his blood sugar levels with a simple fingerpicking

[Brittanyroseee]

Omg he is a kid. To young to have diabetes he just likes sweet things he's a child

[Brittanyroseee]

Kids at that age eat a lot…

[Asker]

No offense.. but you do realize that you can get diabetes at any age right?

[Brittanyroseee]

You are paranoid

[MORPHEUS_12]

Diabetes 1 is a lot more common in kids than you think. He could have Diabetes insipidus which is a hormonal abnormality.

[dustybiker]

Have the doctor run a baseline. Put your mind at ease.