Advertisement

		Ask the Diabetes Team	Jump to a new section --[ Getting Around ]-- Home Page What's New Guide to CWD Help with Error Messages Index Privacy Policy Search Site Map --[ People ]-- Family Support Network Adults with Diabetes Care Photos Chat Rooms Conferences Kids with Diabetes Parents Parent Humor Scholarships and Financial Aid Grandparents Humorous Tidbits Jobs Mailing Lists CWD Forums Poetry and Art Videos Polls Quilt for Life Surveys Blogs --[ Clinic ]-- Ask the Diabetes Team Alternate Site Testing Alternative Treatments Care Suggestions CWD Español Diabetes Basics Diabetes at School 504 Plans Diabetes Camps Diabetes Dictionary Insulin Pumps Nutrition Podcasts Presentations Products Product Marketplace Sports Studies Warning Signs --[ Sources ]-- News and Information Diabetes Advocacy Links to Other Web Sites Press Releases Regional Information Services Support Groups --[ Feedback ]-- About CWD Get CWD Products Advertise Awards Contribute Your Experiences Disclaimer Letters to the Editor Logos and Linking Share our Brochures

Question: From Staten Island, New York, USA: My 17 year old niece has diabetes. I'm not sure which type specifically. He parents just refer to it as juvenile diabetes. It is apparently a very severe form. She was diagnosed at about age 10, to my knowledge. Until about 2 years, despite the diabetes, she was normal, energetic, budding young woman. Recently, however, she's become very frail, almost fragile. Her weight and posture are suffering greatly. My question is basically this: If a proper diet and medication regimen are strictly enforced, is a dramatic weight loss 25-30 pounds a common diabetic symptom? Many of us are actually concerned that she may have an eating disorder which is affecting her ongoing battle with diabetes. She simply looks anorexic. Her immediate family insists that the weight loss is purely diabetes related. Since the onset of her weight loss, she has many complaints: sore muscles, sore back and headaches. Needless to say, we've become increasingly concerned. Answer: If she was diagnosed at ten years of age and has had a recent loss of that much weight, I would strongly suspect an eating disorder. Some teens use their diabetes to lose weight on purpose. This is particularly true of females. Is your relative seeing a counselor on her diabetes team? If not, I would urge that she have a consult. CMB Additional comments from Dr. Lebinger: I would also make sure her thyroid function has been tested. An overactive thyroid can cause both severe weight loss and behavior disturbances. TGL Original posting 26 Oct 1998 Posted to Behavior and Thyroid

Advertisement

Not Helpful  1 2 3 4 5  Very Helpful                  E-mail Page     Print Format
			Jump to a new section --[ Getting Around ]-- Home Page What's New Guide to CWD Help with Error Messages Index Privacy Policy Search Site Map --[ People ]-- Family Support Network Adults with Diabetes Care Photos Chat Rooms Conferences Kids with Diabetes Parents Parent Humor Scholarships and Financial Aid Grandparents Humorous Tidbits Jobs Mailing Lists CWD Forums Poetry and Art Videos Polls Quilt for Life Surveys Blogs --[ Clinic ]-- Ask the Diabetes Team Alternate Site Testing Alternative Treatments Care Suggestions CWD Español Diabetes Basics Diabetes at School 504 Plans Diabetes Camps Diabetes Dictionary Insulin Pumps Nutrition Podcasts Presentations Products Product Marketplace Sports Studies Warning Signs --[ Sources ]-- News and Information Diabetes Advocacy Links to Other Web Sites Press Releases Regional Information Services Support Groups --[ Feedback ]-- About CWD Get CWD Products Advertise Awards Contribute Your Experiences Disclaimer Letters to the Editor Logos and Linking Share our Brochures

Last Updated: Sun Jan 15 12:03:05 2006
This Internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult with a physician or other health care professional.

This site is published by Children With Diabetes, Inc, which is responsible for its contents.
By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use, Legal Notice and Privacy Policy.
© Children with Diabetes, Inc. 1995-2009. Comments and Feedback.