Why is my son SOOOOO affected by sugar?!

[apryllraye87]

Okay, I understand the kids get hyped up when they have sugar. It's normal, I get it. But DS gets way, way, WAY overly hyped up when he has any sort of sugar (it could be a piece of candy, or it could be an apple). I'm sure part of it is that we don't give him sugar very often. So maybe when he does get it his body isn't used to it?

I'm not sure but literally within 5 minutes of having something with even a little bit of sugar in it he is bouncing off the walls, hyper, running around, won't listen, won't calm down, etc. Then he crashes about 25 minutes later and he's whiny, crying, and throwing tantrums.

Is there such thing as a sugar allergy? I've been around a lot of toddlers/kids and I've never seen them affected by sugar as much as DS is. I'm close to ripping my hair out trying to prevent any sugar from entering his body. I can't even give the poor kid a PB&J! Any suggestions?

[deannemdm]

Have you talked to the doctor about this? It could be something that s/he may have ideas about.

[nevaehsmom327]

Have you talked to your doctor at all about it? I haven't heard of something that extreme before either...all kids get a little wound up but probably not to that nature and EVERYTIME. It's interesting it's even with natural sugars...something seems a little off to me on that one.

[supermommy]

There actually is no such thing as a sugar high like you hear parents talk about...it's the association with the food that makes kids hyper such as it's a treat they rarely get so the become overly excited. What's going on with your ds could be something totally different then his association with sugar cuz I doubt anyone gets that excited over an apple.

[kristin8888]

I would talk to your dr and have him tested for diabetes. It sounds like he's getting just enough sugar at those times to make his blood sugar go too high and then it crashes really fast. Once he crashes does he get really shaky or sweaty and have a hard time concentrating? Those are signs that his sugar is low. Does he get like this any other time he's had a lot of carbs like pasta, bread or cereals?

[lilmermaid]

I would be calling your Dr ASAP! This sounds like something that should be checked out. I have heard of people being allergic to sugar substitutes before.
On a side note you can get sugar free jelly and there are some PB's that are lower in sugar.

[sharon]

Lots of good suggestions - I just wanted to mention that real PB doesn't have sugar added and you can get sugar free jam.

[apryllraye87]

Thanks ladies. Our insurance has a really high deductible so I try not to bring him in too often, but I suppose I probably should because it sounds like this isn't normal. We do use natural PB but nothing sugar free. I get shaky and light headed from artificial sweeteners so I tend to stay away from them.

I haven't noticed that he gets this way from lots of carbs but I haven't paid much attention to it. I'm sure he probably has a hard time concentrating once he crashes but I've mainly noticed his mood.

[sarahisis]

I was thinking a glycemic or diabetes check wouldn't hurt... could b by association but you wouldn't think that,that association would be with fruit too...better safe than sorry. I have a friend with a similar issue with herself and it was some sort of glycemic imbalance

[deannemdm]

try calling to talk to doctor or triage nurse to see if it is worth appointment-- or if could wait until he is there for something else

[beemama]

I agree with getting him checked out. This sounds familiar, although I can't think of why, but I'll be thinking about it all night! What is his behavior like right before eating sugar? How does he react to things like protein or pasta, potatoes, or bagels?
I could check his bloodsugar - for free!

[apryllraye87]

I was looking for this post and didn't realize I posted over a year ago! Unfortunately, I didn't bring him in to get checked and the problem has not gotten any better. If he has even the tiniest bit of sugar he is bouncing off the walls, even if it's just from an orange, applesauce, anything!

Anyway- I'm posting again because I want to get him checked out but our insurance has a high deductible so I wanted to know if any of you ladies have experience with what type of doctor would be best to send him to? Would his pediatrician be able to diagnose something of this sort?

[onlyoneboy]

Do you have a blood sugar monitor that you could use to test him before you bring him in? Know anyone that is diabetic that you could borrow? I have one you could borrow if you think you would be able to prick his finger.

[apryllraye87]

Good idea.. I have a friend that has one I'm sure she'd let me borrow it.. when/how often would you recommend that I test it? Right after he has sugar?

[dara1012]

I don't have diabetes, but knowing enough about blood sugar you would want to test him before AND after he has sugar.