Question:
I am 16 years old and I am wondering how I can tell if I have diabetes or not. My mom, great-grandmother, and grandmother, have diabetes. I talked to my grandmother that is still alive and she says I should get it checked out. I am not exactly sure though. I really need to know if I have it though.
I have to eat every 2.5 to every 4 hours otherwise I feel sick. Also, when I haven't had food when I should, and then when I do eat something, I feel all better (not sick anymore).
Answer:
Yes, diabetes does have a hereditary component; however, your symptoms remind me of someone with a problem of low blood sugars rather than high ones. In any case it is worth a visit to your doctor for a fasting blood sugar test. Your doctor may want to do some other blood work as well.
The treatment for low blood sugars (hypoglycemia) is to eat small meals every 2-3 hours and to avoid eating fruits and foods with sugar
by themselves. It is a good idea to avoid as much sugar as possible whether it is with another food or not. A dietitian will be able to help you with specific suggestions if you have hypoglycemia.
JM
Original posting 28 Nov 97
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