Adolescence is a challenging time for parents and children. They are struggling with changes in their bodies, peer pressure, and a variety of emotions. But if your child also has Type 1 diabetes , there are a few things we need to be extra careful about during this time. Because both of these affect each other. That is, puberty can affect diabetes, and diabetes can affect your child's puberty. But don't worry, with a little extra effort, you can manage this time successfully. Let's talk about it.
How does puberty affect diabetes?
Simply put, puberty begins with the production of sex hormones in the body. Estrogen in girls and testosterone in boys begin to be secreted during this time. These hormones can increase your child's blood sugar levels. Not only that, but hormones like cortisol, which are secreted during adolescence, also increase blood sugar levels.
These hormones cause the cells in the child's body to become less able to use insulin. In other words, they no longer respond to insulin properly. In medical terms, this is called insulin resistance . During this time, the effectiveness of insulin in the child's body can be reduced by between 30% and 50%.
Remember, these hormones are most active at night. As a result, the child's blood sugar level may be very high when they wake up in the morning.
During this time, the child's body is growing, growing taller, and building muscle. So they need to eat more to cope. When all this is combined, the child needs more insulin than before throughout puberty.
| The change that occurs during puberty | How it affects diabetes |
|---|---|
| Increased hormone levels (Estrogen, Testosterone, Cortisol) | Increases blood sugar levels and causes insulin resistance. |
| Body growth and increased appetite | Eating more food requires more insulin to control blood sugar levels. |
| Menstrual Cycle in Girls | Sugar levels may rise a few days before menstruation and then fall during the first few days of menstruation. Insulin doses may need to be adjusted. |
If it's a girl, be especially careful about this.
During a girl's monthly menstrual cycle, her insulin needs may be different than at other times of the month.
- Blood sugar levels may rise a few days before menstruation begins.
- Blood sugar levels can drop suddenly during the first few days of menstruation.
Therefore, it is very important to regularly check your daughter's blood sugar levels during this time and identify a pattern of how it changes with her menstrual cycle. Over time, you can talk to your doctor about adjusting the insulin dose based on that pattern.
How does diabetes affect puberty?
This also works the other way around. That is, diabetes can cause some children to have delayed puberty. This can happen especially if the diabetes is not well controlled and the body does not receive the necessary amount of insulin.
- Boys: Growth and weight gain may be slower than other boys of the same age.
- Girls: The first menstruation may be later than usual and the menstrual cycle may be irregular.
But the best news is that if diabetes is well managed, your child can reach puberty on time and without any problems.
How can you help as a parent?
It can be difficult for a child to cope with the changes of puberty and managing diabetes at the same time, so your support is essential during this time.
On the other hand, during this time, children also want to be with friends, be free, and do their own things. So thinking about diabetes can fall low on their priority list. There are a few things you can do to get them interested in this again.
- Involve your child from an early age: Talk to them in a way they understand about how insulin works, why it changes in the body, and why it's important to control their blood sugar levels. This will give them a better understanding of how to manage this condition on their own.
- Explain the importance of health: Talk about how if their blood sugar levels get too high or too low, they won't be able to do the things they enjoy (e.g., playing sports, going out with friends). Don't use it as a punishment, but as a reality.
- Work as a team: Show your child a log book that records their blood sugar levels, and talk about how it will make it easier for you and the doctor to help them. Especially if it's a girl, you can record how her blood sugar levels change with her monthly menstrual cycle. Make her understand that it's not a secret, and it will help both of you.
- Stay in regular contact with your doctor: If you notice sudden, big changes in your child's blood sugar levels for no apparent reason, talk to your doctor right away. It may be time to create a new diabetes management plan.
Although this time is challenging, you can successfully navigate this journey with the right understanding, patience, and open communication with your child.
Take-Home Message
- During puberty, hormones secreted by a child increase their blood sugar levels and the need for insulin increases.
- It is essential to regularly check and record the child's blood sugar levels throughout this period.
- Poorly controlled diabetes can delay a child's puberty.
- This challenge can be overcome by parents, child, and doctor working together as a team.
- If you notice an unexplained change in your child's sugar levels, consult your doctor immediately.
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