prediabetes clinic
helping patients develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle
Dayton Children’s prediabetes clinic, formerly known as the hyperinsulinism clinic, focuses on patients who are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Our prediabetes clinic team includes a medical assistant, dietitian and lead physician Dr. Nicholson. Our clinic will develop a treatment plan for your child that consists of a healthy lifestyle, dietary changes, and possibly medications with the goal to prevent the development or progression of diabetes.
what patients are seen in prediabetes clinic?
Our focus is to see patients who have an abnormal elevation of fasting blood sugar and or slight elevation of HgA1C. HgA1C is a measurement of blood sugar level in your blood over the past three months. Fasting blood sugar of more than 100mg/dl or A1C of 6 percent and above are considered prediabetes ranges. Our team focuses on normalizing HgA1C and glucose levels to slow the development and progression of type II diabetes.
what causes prediabetes?
In most cases, prediabetes develops in patients who are overweight or gain weight rapidly. They also have other at risk factors such as a family history of diabetes, history of steroid use for asthma, or belonging to certain ethnic group. Patients at risk initially develop high insulin levels known as hyperinsulinism and insulin resistance. In some patients, this causes insulin to either not be secreted properly or not work properly. This can lead to elevations of blood sugars and HgA1C. Persistent elevation of glucose levels causes abnormal HgA1C and leads to progression of diabetes.
Early changes in blood sugars or A1C in the most cases can be detected and treated, causing resolution of prediabetes and preventing diabetes progression.
how is the prediabetes clinic is different from the lipid clinic?
Your primary health care provider may have previously sent you to the lipid clinic here at Dayton Children’s. While both clinics see children with weight gain issues, our clinic solely focuses on children whose weight gain is now causing elevation in fasting blood sugars or abnormal HgA1C. View the referral guide here.
preparing for your first visit
We work to provide you the best care possible. By completing the steps below before your first visit to the prediabetes clinic, you will help us to give you the best patient experience.
- Fill out this history form. This form can take 10-15 minutes to complete. Completing the form at home before your visit will speed up your appointment.
- Track all food intake for 3-5 days and take notes on how the patient feels after 30 minutes. Once this is completed please submit the information in our food diary form prior to your appointment.
- Make a list of questions concerning your child's diagnosis, treatment and diet.
- Bring your insurance card and a photo ID.
what will be done at the initial visit?
Because your initial visit will include a nutritional assessment the visit will be at least one hour. You may have to wait slightly longer if you did not fill out the history form previously.
After we complete the initial history, the doctor will review the history with you, examine your child and go over test results obtained by your primary care physician. Then the doctor will discuss prediabetes and insulin resistance syndrome with you and discuss additional testing and treatment plans. Treatment may consist of diet and exercise along with medications.
After discussion, your child will be seen by the dietitian. Meal and exercise plans will be made for your child. You will then be scheduled for a follow-up appointment. These appointments are about 30 minutes.
related specialties
Patients seen in the prediabetes clinic may be required to be seen by other specialists since prediabetes can cause other health issues. The most common include:
