High blood sugar levels in elderly

[Gareth's Mum]

My mum ,who is 86 has been having high readings consistently for the last month--- 15/16 even 21 on an occasion.She is probably very stressed since my Dad had a a stroke over a year age ,is now in a nursing home and is very unwell.She attended her Doctor last week and despite the readings he does not want to change her meds.He feels that if he were to do so there is too much of a risk that the levels could go too low which ,he says creates bigger risks. ----falls and breakages for example.
She has been diabetic for 50 years and has always controlled it well with meds and diet.Can someone advise if they feel we are getting the correct advice

 

[Copepod]

Welcome to the boards, Gareth's Mum.

Difficult to know what to say, as don't know all the facts that are known by doctor - as they say, there are others things to consider in addition to blood sugar levels.

 

[Northerner]

Hi Gareth's Mum, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sorry to hear about the problems your Mum is having. I think it is quite common for doctors to be less concerned about higher levels in the elderly and - as you say is the case here - are more concerned about lows. I think that this is partly due to the fact that the risks of higher levels resulting in diabetic complications are considered not so great as they may take years of poorer control to develop. In a younger person this might have a significant impact on their lives for decades. It sounds harsh, but it is the way the thinking goes, and not much comfort to your Mum or you

Is the doctor one who knows her well and her medical history? Would it be possible to get a second medical opinion? Hopefully, the higher levels are due to the extra stresses she has been experiencing lately, and her levels will improve on her current medication regime before too long.

 

[Gareth's Mum]

The GP giving this advice has known her for 30 years .Looks like he might be talking sense

 

[StephenM]

Sorry I am dubious. At those levels she could experience both tiredness and thirst. As the very elderly often feel tired and do not drink enough this might go unnoticed. Whilst aggressive treatment is unnecessary I would think that BG around 8 ? 14 would be better and potentially give a better quality of life.

 

[Northerner]

Sorry I am dubious. At those levels she could experience both tiredness and thirst. As the very elderly often feel tired and do not drink enough this might go unnoticed. Whilst aggressive treatment is unnecessary I would think that BG around 8 ? 14 would be better and potentially give a better quality of life.

Very good points Stephen 🙂

 

[Newtothis]

Welcome to the forum Gareth's mum; sorry to hear about your current levels and hope these are sorted out soon. Can I ask if you're Type 1 or Type 2; a little confused by the signature plus I'm being very nosey 🙄 xx

 

[Hanmillmum]

Hi Gareth's mum - I do agree with Stephen.

Regarding falls - if your mum were to fall with high levels ( and those are pretty high) she could risk complications too - infections, perhaps delays in any surgical interventions? A little lower must be achieveable without putting her at too great risk of hypos. Although less of a concern with long term damage and running high BG's, she may well be feeling pretty yucky on a day to day basis ? What would your mum like to happen given she has been diabetic for 50 years with good control ?

 

[Caroline]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry to hear about all the medical problems. I think those numbers could be lower. My dad aged 82 was told if he aimed for a number of no higher than 10 but ideally between 7 & 9 he'd be fine. I'm uncertain for what to suggest unless you go to the dctor together in case your mum has missed something as we all do sometimes.