Growing Pains & Glucose Gains: Managing Growth Spurts & T1D
If you’re raising a child with T!D, you already know that managing blood sugars can be like riding a roller-coaster- exciting, unpredictable and sometimes a little scary! Throw in a growth spurt, and suddenly, everything you thought you had under control feels like it’s gone haywire.
One day, your child’s numbers are fine. The next? Sky-high blood sugars, endless hunger and maybe even a side of crankiness! Growth spurts can wreak havoc on blood sugar levels, but with a little knowledge (and a lot of patience), you can help your child get through them safely.
Let’s break it down by age and talk about what you can do when growth spurts send glucose levels soaring.
Why Do Growth Spurts Affect Blood Sugar?
Growth spurts are fuelled by hormones like growth hormone and cortisol- which, unfortunately, also cause insulin resistance. This means that:
Your child needs more insulin to keep blood sugars stable
Highs can last days or even weeks before things settle down
Growth-related highs tend to be stubborn
It’s frustrating, but it’s also completely normal! The key is adjusting insulin (with your diabetes care team’s help), food and expectations to ride out the highs.
Growth Spurts & Highs by Age
Toddlers (Ages 1-4): Tiny Tornadoes of Growth
Toddlers grow FAST, sometimes overnight! But they can’t always tell you when they’re extra hungry or whey they’re suddenly super cranky.
What You Might See:
Higher blood sugars, especially in the morning
Increased hunger
Sleep disruptions (hello, 2 AM wake-ups!)
What You Can Do:
Increase basal insulin if needed (always talk to your diabetes care team before making changes)
Offer balanced snacks (protein + carbs) to prevent big spikes
Watch for post-meal highs and adjust boluses if necessary (your diabetes care team can help you determine if this would be helpful)
Stay flexible- some days they’ll eat like a bear before hibernation, others like a picky bird
Pro Tip: If they’re waking up high every morning, their insulin needs might have changed. Track trends and discuss with diabetic care team to adjust accordingly.
Children (Ages 5-12): Growth Spurts in Full Swing
School-age children can shoot up inches overnight- and their insulin needs will skyrocket along with them.
What You Might See:
Blood sugars that stay high no matter what you do
A never-ending appetite (seriously, where does it all go?)
Fatigue, mood swings or frustration with diabetes
What You Can Do:
Adjust insulin doses proactively- don’t wait for a week of highs
Encourage healthy snacks (nuts, cheese, yoghurt) to keep them full longer
Hydrate! Water helps flush out extra sugar
Involve them in diabetes management- ask how they’re feeling and let them help problem-solve.
Pro Tip: Growth spurts don’t last forever, so be ready to adjust insulin back down once the phase is over
Teens (Ages 13+): Hormone Hurricanes
Puberty + T1D= insulin resistance on steroids (literally). Growth spurts are intense and hormonal highs can be frustrating, unpredictable and stubborn.
What You Might See:
Morning highs that refuse to budge
Extreme hunger and rapid growth
Mood swings, stress and even diabetes burnout
What You Can Do:
Work with your teen to increase basal insulin as needed
Focus on pre-bolusing (giving insulin 20 min before eating) to prevent spikes
Encourage movement! Exercise can help counteract insulin resistance
Keep communication open- teens may not always tell you when they’re struggling
Pro Tip: Teens may need up to 30% more insulin during growth spurts and puberty
When to Call Your Endocrinologist
If highs last more than a few weeks despite insulin increases
If your child is losing weight unintentionally (growth spurts should not cause weight loss)
If Ketones appear frequently despite higher insulin doses
If your child is struggling emotionally- growth spurts + T1D can be tough!
How to Survive Growth Spurts Without Losing Your Mind
Track patterns! Growth-related highs follow trends- adjust as needed
Keep snacks balanced (carbs + protein) to avoid wild swings
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Highs dehydrate kids fast
Be patient- growth spurts come in waves, but they don’t last forever
Celebrate the little wins- even if it’s just a slightly lower morning number
Remember, this phase won’t last forever! Your child will grow, their insulin needs will change, and eventually the roller-coaster will smooth out (until the next one!).
