“At what age should kids be checked for diabetes?”

Having a sweet tooth has nothing to do with having diabetes; just a common incorrect idea. Diabetes can be a familial pattern but usually this is for older-age, type 2 diabetes associated with excess body weight, high cholesterol, high blood pressure etc. But sometimes type 1 diabetes which is a type of autoimmune attack on the pancreas production of insulin can also be a family pattern along with thyroid problems, celiac disease. Symptoms of diabetes include unexplained weight loss, excess urination or overnight urination, fatigue as well as excess thirst. If you are concerned, then you should call and discuss with your pediatrician or primary care physician to get some lab tests checked out and some advice about food recommendations. Stuart Brink, MD Senior Endocrinologist, New England Diabetes & Endocrinology Center (NEDEC) c/o NEDEC, 196 Pleasant Street, Newton Centre MA 02459-1815, USA phone 1-781-572-4533, e-mail: stuartbrink@gmail.com

The blood test Hb A1C could be done at any age. This test is the best to see her glucose metabolism.

If there is strong family history of diabetes and the child is over weight or if there are any concerns he needs to be screened right away with blood glucose and Hemoglobin A1c. There after annual screening is reasonable unless there are clinical signs of diabetes such as excessive thirsty and urination or bedwetting. You can check his glucose if you have a machine at home. You can check fasting or two hours after a big meal. Fasting should be less than 100mg/dl and random >200mg/dl with or without symptoms are significant.
But the best and proper way is work with the primary care physician. You will get a better help.
Good luck

No set age. It mostly depends on symptoms you might notice: excess thirst, excess urination, new onset of bed-wetting, vaginal/yeast infection, unexplained/unintended weight loss, fruity odor to breath (ketones), excess weight, acanthosis nigricans (darkened, raised skin in the neck, armpits, groin area, under breasts), etc. In certain genetic conditions, such as Down Syndrome, Turner Syndrome, and Klinefelter's Syndrome, diabetes is also more common and should get periodic checks also. You should discuss with your pediatrician or family practitioner since they may routinely do urine testing that also checks sugar levels.

Stuart Brink, MD

Diabetes mellitus could present at any age. Take your daughter to your primary care doctor to perform blood work.

If your daughter is overweight, this would be a good age to screen her for type 2 diabetes.