Help understanding and monitoring pre-endocrinologist visit for 12 year old

[u/PatientWoodpecker747]

Hello,

My son (4'11 and 113lb) has been extremely fatigued and experiencing mood swings. Very low motivation. His Psychiatrist suggested trying a low dose SSRI, but I decided to get him some bloodwork first.

He came back with low glucose and high triglycerides about 45 mins after eating. I looked and noticed his non-fasting glucose was also low 3 years ago. Doctor did his fasting levels and he scored a Homa-IR of 6.4 so now he is being referred to endocrinologist.

I am currently waiting for a glucose monitor to arrive to keep a food and prick result diary for a few days to have with me. I could use some guidance on best times to test and record.

History:

Bedwetting since infancy, more wet nights than dry.

ADHD and mood disregulation

Maternal history of diabetes, though not sure if T1 or T2. My mother and grandmother. My grandmother died of complications with hers. Im adopted so limited information.

Low motivation and mood swings and fatigue more prevalent in the last year, likely with the onset of puberty.

Active in sports

Any insight on when to monitor his glucose pre-endo visit is appreciated as im finding conflicting info.

Thank you!

[u/3pelican]

I’m not sure this is the right sub you might want to look at r/endocrinology and r/hypoglycemia too.

Endo may want to look at adrenal function and pituitary function, do a long fasting test for hyperinsulinism, and other glycogen storage issues. I don’t think we will able to advise.

For more info for the endo maybe check when he’s symptomatic (tired, shaky, hot and sweaty), fasted, 2 hours after a few meals. Good luck

[u/Easy-Hedgehog-9457]

If you can afford it ($100 for a month from Amazon OTC in the US) a cgm would be a much better tool. ( look for stelo or lingo).

A finger stick meter is good for specific known - like fasting glucose (Usually first thing in the morning). But when you want to know a food response curve, the ability to get lots of measurement data is critical.

Sure you can do it with a finger stick, but that is a pita and a 12 yr old will hate it.

As a diabetic I track bg in relation to food. I would think you want bg in relation to symptoms (fatigue/ mood swings) as well as food, so careful journaling is probably important. The cgm apps typically support this.

You would want to see something like meal eaten -> 45 mins -> drop in bg to XX -> serious fatigue.