4 Year Old Thirsty, Urinating a Lot, Light Sensitivity/headaches

Both of my kids and my husband have Type 1 diabetes. Absolutely no one in the family has ever had it before my husband. Type 1 is not typically handed down through generations like type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and does not need a genetic factor to manifest.

Absolutely make an appointment with your doctor. Excessive thirst, frequent urination, headaches are all symptoms of high blood sugars.
Your son does not need to fast to be tested for diabetes. They will do a blood draw and a urine sample. They will test the blood glucose levels and look for ketones in the urine, among other things.

In response to a poster below.....my daughter was diagnosed with diabetes at age 19 months and frequent urination and excessive thirst were the ONLY symptoms that she had.

I really, really, really hope that your son doesn't have diabetes. But, I think you are doing the right thing by checking it out!
Please let us know how everything goes!

Thirst and frequent urinations are definitely symptoms of diabetes, along with weight loss, but I don't know about the light sensitivity and headaches. Try to get your son to the doctor right away. Ask if he needs to fast before the appt. If they want a long fasting period, try to get an appt first thing in the morning and bring something for him to eat once they draw his blood. Good luck!

He could also just have an urinary tract infection. Light sensitivity can be animal all its own my oldest has this issue with florescent lights. She now has glasses with a coating on them that helps her. Get his eyes tested too.
J.

In a child, simply drinking a lot or urinating a lot is often not a real symptom of diabetes, unless it is accompanied by weight loss or other symptoms.

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/screeningquizzes/l/bl_diab...

But, play it safe - talk to your doc.

90% of children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes have no family history. Please rule this out with a simple blood test that your pediatrician can do. Have him checked asap. If it is diabetes, there is great support and information thru JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). I'll say a prayer for your little one!

Please, please, please take your son in ASAP. It may not be diabetes, but if it is, he could end up in a diabetic coma if he is not diagnosed. As the previous poster mentioned, Type I (or insulin dependent) diabetes does not have a strong genetic link. Don't take any chances, trust your instincts.

Y., did you ever find out the cause? My son has these same symptoms, including light sensitivity. Thank you