Insatiable hunger in 3yo -we saw the doctor!-

[WindyCityMom]

Since my threads are kind of all over the place, I wanted to put everything in one place.

Links to the previous threads so you can read a bit more about our DD's issues:

http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/newestpost/1292741

http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/thread/1290224/3yo-still-always-hungry-i-need-ideas-post-15-please-help/40#post_16205395

We saw our family doctor today.  She was most concerned with diabetes, because my DD actually lost weight (since Oct) and has only grown 2" in almost two years.  N (my DD) is currently fasting (and you can imagine how much fun this is...) and will have blood drawn tomorrow.  The bloodwork being done:

tTg-IgA (to check for Celiac disease)

TSH W/ Reflex (Thyroid)

Complete Metabolic Panel

Complete Blood Count

We also have a referral for an evaluation at the Pediatric Development Ctr. because of N's sensory & behavioral issues.

So as of right now our doctor is thinking it's either diabetes or a thyroid issue.  She said that the thyroid issue could contribute to N's anxiety as well.

Please keep us in your thoughts!  We are one step closer to getting answers!! 

***Mods, I didn't know if this was supposed to be posted here (since my other threads are in this subforum) or in Health and Healing.  Feel free to move if you don't feel it's in the right place!!

[limabean]

They couldn't just do a urine dip in the office to check for diabetes? I had my DS checked for that once when he was excessively thirsty/urinating a lot and the doctor was able to tell us within a few minutes that he wasn't diabetic. 

I hope the bloodwork comes back soon and you get the answers you're looking for. Did the doctor rule out celiac? 

[honeybunmom]

Glad to hear that you are headed on a path to finding out what's going on!  Will definitely be keeping you and your little one in my thoughts!

[One_Girl]

I really think you should also push for a parasite check.  A parasite can cause all of that and the nervousness.  If you are in an area where parasites are common (like the south) I think that it is especially important.  Hopefully it is one of the other things though.

[WindyCityMom]

Thanks everyone!   N had her bloodwork done today.  She had to wait hungry for another HOUR because the lab didn't know what the tTg-IgA test was and had to wait for the nurse to look it up in a book, who couldn't find it.. so we waited for them to page the doctor, who finally called back and told them the name of the test.

I don't think getting a urine sample would have gone over well with DD

Celiac hasn't been ruled out yet.

If these tests don't show anything I will ask the doctor to check for parasites.  I really feel like it's highly unlikely, so I sort of put it on the back burner for now.  I'm really hoping that these tests do show something though... I need answers.  My poor DD needs answers.  I feel so bad for her.

[Soapmom]

Thanks for the update, I have been following your posts on this. I hope you and your dd get some answers soon!

Marcy

[tinuviel_k]

I am so glad you got the bloodwork done! I hope they have answers for you. Keep us updated.

[WindyCityMom]

Okay, question time!! 

I've noticed that N's urine is VERY foul smelling.  I had noticed it for awhile, but thought it was me.  I just took her to the bathroom and it almost knocked me off of my feet.  It's hard to describe just what it smells like, but it just smells.. rotten?  -Warning: Possible Trigger and/or TMI ahead- It reminds me of the smell of my mother's urine (I was her sole caregiver) when she was dying of cancer.

N's urine isn't dark or anything- it was very pale yellow, and clear.

[karne]

Just a thought...you may want to cross post in Special Needs, esp. w/the developmental pedi referral.  Lots of good support over there!

[pianojazzgirl]

I did a quick Google search and saw that musty smelling urine can be associated with thyroid problems.

Glad that you'll have answers soon mama.  I'll be watching the thread and thinking of you guys.

[mum5]

hoping you find some answers soon. it sounds like a stressful situation for all. 

[ElliesMomma]

Originally Posted by WindyCityMom 

Okay, question time!! 

I've noticed that N's urine is VERY foul smelling.  I had noticed it for awhile, but thought it was me.  I just took her to the bathroom and it almost knocked me off of my feet.  It's hard to describe just what it smells like, but it just smells.. rotten?  -Warning: Possible Trigger and/or TMI ahead- It reminds me of the smell of my mother's urine (I was her sole caregiver) when she was dying of cancer.

N's urine isn't dark or anything- it was very pale yellow, and clear.

could this be a yeast infection? i googled diabetes symptoms in children and the Mayo Clinic stated that a foul smelling yeast infection can be one of the first signs of Type 1 Diabetes in infants and young children. (coupled with insatiable hunger and thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, etc.)

when are her lab results due back, and what did the doctor advise that you do in the mean time? (keep feeding her as usual, or do something different?)

[WindyCityMom]

Originally Posted by ElliesMomma 

Originally Posted by WindyCityMom 

Okay, question time!! 

I've noticed that N's urine is VERY foul smelling.  I had noticed it for awhile, but thought it was me.  I just took her to the bathroom and it almost knocked me off of my feet.  It's hard to describe just what it smells like, but it just smells.. rotten?  -Warning: Possible Trigger and/or TMI ahead- It reminds me of the smell of my mother's urine (I was her sole caregiver) when she was dying of cancer.

N's urine isn't dark or anything- it was very pale yellow, and clear.

could this be a yeast infection? i googled diabetes symptoms in children and the Mayo Clinic stated that a foul smelling yeast infection can be one of the first signs of Type 1 Diabetes in infants and young children. (coupled with insatiable hunger and thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, etc.)

when are her lab results due back, and what did the doctor advise that you do in the mean time? (keep feeding her as usual, or do something different?)

I was thinking yeast but it doesn't smell yeast-y.  I've had my fair share of yeast so I know.  It's more... sour and sausage-y.  Very pungent. 

I was told that I'd get a call with the results early next week, but it might be sooner.

The doctor told me to keep feeding her as usual.  I wonder what she'll say if the results end up normal. 

[fnpmama]

I've been following your thread and just wanted to offer some empathy and hugs.  I am dealing with similar insatiable hunger issues with DS and awaiting an appt to discuss my concerns with pedi.  After reading your post about your DD It sounded so much like DS I couldn't believe it.  I just wanted to say I know how much of a struggle it can be while waiting to know what is going on (I'm struggling with that right now), and it sounds like you are doing a great job esp with all the healthy options yoru are giving her (oh BTW my DS would eat hummus by the spoonful as well - infact he has).   Also, OT but I am in the windy city, too.

I am curious with how you brought it up with your doctor.  I have brought my son to the doctor once for my concerns and they told me DS was just "greedy".  I have a new doctor now but am nervous about how to bring it up at our visit.

[Tilia]

Did they not prick her finger to check her blood glucose?  If diabetes was a suspected diagnosis, I wonder why not test.  Especially the first day you took her in, without fasting it could have been easy to see if if blood sugar was high.

I hope they find something quickly and you can get her well quickly.

[meemee]

windy i am waiting with baited breath too.

i hope that whatever teh prognosis is, that the medicine will bring down her hunger instead of you having to force her to stop eating. i've seen that and had experience with diabetic patients and that's not a fun thing at all. 

and the urine. at least they can do a test of that if nothing else shows up. but i dont think that's true. i think you WILL find at least ONE answer. 

[WindyCityMom]

Originally Posted by fnpmama 

I've been following your thread and just wanted to offer some empathy and hugs.  I am dealing with similar insatiable hunger issues with DS and awaiting an appt to discuss my concerns with pedi.  After reading your post about your DD It sounded so much like DS I couldn't believe it.  I just wanted to say I know how much of a struggle it can be while waiting to know what is going on (I'm struggling with that right now), and it sounds like you are doing a great job esp with all the healthy options yoru are giving her (oh BTW my DS would eat hummus by the spoonful as well - infact he has).   Also, OT but I am in the windy city, too.

I am curious with how you brought it up with your doctor.  I have brought my son to the doctor once for my concerns and they told me DS was just "greedy".  I have a new doctor now but am nervous about how to bring it up at our visit.

 Thank you!  We'll have to see what happens with my DD, I will for sure keep posted!  Who knows... it might help you figure out your DS's issues.  As for the doctor- I made a list of concerns.  I wrote examples of what DD eats in one day.  It really is a lot and the doctor agreed with me.  We see Mariela Cano out of Ravenswood Fam. Practice, she's a family doctor and very very awesome :)

I think the doctor was trying to make it easier on us by just doing the Metabolic Panel since there are other things on there that she wanted to look at.

[corban's mum]

hello, how's things? an update would be great, ive been stalking your thread lol i just had nothing helpful to add really, other than hugs and best wishes xx

[WindyCityMom]

Hi!  Things are the same with DD and we just got hit with a record-making blizzard, and I haven't heard from the doc (I've left messages as well).  I'll update when I know something! :)

[corban's mum]

oh noo ive heard the weather over there has been really harsh, funny how the UK shuts down when we have 1inch of snow when all over the world ppl carry on as normal until they literally cant get out of the front door haha.

i really hope the doc gets back with some answers soon, i cant imagine how worrying it must be for you.