At Pediatric Endocrinology Associates our Drs. take care of many children/adolescents with diabetes. If your child has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, call our office at (562)595-0166 for an appointment with one of our Pediatric Endocrinologists or you can use our secure online appointment request form.

Diabetes is a disease that afefects how the body uses glucose, a sugar that Is the body's primary fuel source. Normally, insulin, which is a hormone, helps glucose enter the body's cells where it is used for energy.

People with diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or the insulin does not work like it should. As a result, glucose does not get into the body's cells. Too much sugar in the blood can make people ill and result in medical complications.

Our Doctors treat patients with the following endocrine diseases:

• Type 1 Diabetes
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Hyperinsulinemia
• Obesity Associated with Insulin Resistance

Understanding the type of diabetes, the symptoms, treatment options and danger signs makes all the difference in the world to successfully manage the disease. Our Doctors work with the patients and their families as a team; not just to treat diabetes, but to accompany them on the journey to good control.

It is important to know the symptoms of diabetes and high and low glucose levels. Even after diagnosis and treatment begins, these symptoms can occur. If they do, it may be a sign that the blood sugar is not under control and that adjustments to the treatment are needed; your child could be entering into the commonly called "honeymoon period".

Symptoms of Diabetes:

• Frequent urination
• Extreme thirst and dry mouth
• Unexplained weight loss
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Urinary tract/vaginal infections
• Blurred vision
• Headaches

Different tests are available to diagnose diabetes. There is a standard test that checks urine for glucose and ketones. Ketones are acids that accumulate in the blood and appear in urine when the body does not have enough insulin. These tests are simple to conduct. Test strips are simply placed in the child's urine sample.

Other tests conducted to determine if a child has diabetes are blood glucose tests. Normal fasting blood glucose ranges from 65-99 mg/dl. The Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) and the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTI) are commonly used. The FPG is a simple test that measures blood glucose levels after a child has fasted or not eaten for a period of time. The OGTI measures blood glucose levels after fasting and again a few hours after a child drinks a high-glucose beverage.

Because blood glucose levels fluctuate from day to day there is another test to determine how blood glucose levels have been over a period of three months. This test is called Hemoglobin AlC test, also called glycosylated hemoglobin or HbA1c test. The Hemoglobin A1C test measures how much extra glucose has glycosylated or attached to the red blood cells over the last 120 days (the lifespan of a red blood cell).

Once a diagnosis is made and one of our Doctors determines the type of diabetes your child has, a treatment plan can be properly prescribed. Depending on the type, diabetes is treated with insulin therapy, diet, exercise, or oral medications.

If you suspect your child has diabetes or they have recently been diagnosed with the disease, contact our office today for a consultation with one of our Pediatric Endocrinologists. Call our office at (562)595-0166 for an appointment or you can use our online appointment request form . We are conveniently located in Long Beach, California.