Type 1 Diabetes: When To Call A Doctor

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When To Call a Doctor

Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if you or your child is:

• Unconscious or becomes very sleepy unexpectedly. You or your child may have low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia. While waiting for emergency help, follow:
  • Emergency care for low blood sugar.
  • Emergency care for low blood sugar in a child.
• Drowsy, confused, breathing fast, and your or your child’s breath smells fruity or like nail polish. You or your child may have high blood sugar, called hyperglycemia. A life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis could be present.

Call a doctor immediately if you or your child is vomiting and cannot keep down liquids and:

• Your blood sugar is 300 mg/dL or higher.
• Your child’s blood sugar is 250 mg/dL or higher.

Call a doctor if you or your child:

• Has increased urination, increased thirst, weight loss, and possibly increased appetite. These symptoms may indicate type 1 diabetes.
• Has a family history of type 1 diabetes and wants to be tested.

Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting is a period of time during which you and your doctor observe your symptoms or condition without using medical treatment. Watchful waiting is not appropriate if you think you or your child may have symptoms of type 1 diabetes, such as increased urination, increased thirst, weight loss, and possibly increased appetite. A blood test is all that is needed to determine whether a person has the disease.

Who To See

The following health professionals can diagnose and treat diabetes:

• Endocrinologist
• Pediatric endocrinologist
• Family medicine physician
• General practitioner
• Internist
• Pediatrician
• Nurse practitioner
• Physician assistant

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

Last updated:	September 17, 2008
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC