My six year old son was diagnosed with type�1 diabetes two months ago. For at least the past three years, he has been a child with little energy who tires easily. Since his diagnosis and treatment he has been a lot more energetic! Is it possible that the diabetes could have been affecting him in some way for the past few years, even though the actual symptoms only started about three weeks before his diagnosis?

The autoimmune process that led to the destruction of your son’s insulin producing cells might well have begun in the first year of life. I rather doubt though whether in its earliest stages it would have induced the symptoms that you describe. What is perhaps more likely is that he also has hypothyroidism which is another autoimmune process frequently associated with type�1A diabetes and sometimes called the Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome. You might discuss this possibility with your son’s doctor especially as the test for it is a very simple one. Whilst you are at it, you might ask about getting tests for glutamyl transferase antibodies that indicate celiac syndrome and anti-21-hydroxylase antibodies for adrenal insufficiency. These are less common components of the syndrome, but still worth screening for even if there are no symptoms. Having associated hypothyroidism would not preclude clinical improvement when insulin was started.

DOB