Blood glucose levels mid 20’s for 9 months.

[james80]

My Stepdad is type 2 diabetic and has been on metformin, gliclizide and Sitagliptan for years. He’s always monitored his blood sugar levels which have always been between 6-12.
About 9 months ago it shot up to mid 20’s, and he suffers from COPD (a respiratory condition that effects the lungs) so during a stay in hospital the doctors put it down to a chest infection. Every few months he has to take prednisolone (steroids) to treat his lung condition. Each time he see’s a GP or a diabetic nurse at his practice they say that his high blood sugar levels is probably down to either an infection or from taking prednisolone (steroids). I heard about the HbA1c test and we asked his GP to arrange one which they did and it revealed that his levels have been high (mid 20’s) for at least the past 3 months. They mentioned that he may end up on insulin. They added extra glicliazide to his regime and said come back in 3 months. His blood sugars didn’t drop and again each time he had to go in about his chest they said the levels are probably down to infection. A different GP, wants to send him for another HbA1c next week. This will be 9 months on, and his levels have been mid 20’s. Does anyone know is this normal? Should he be getting treated sooner rather than later to protect his organs?

Thank you

 

[trophywench]

As far as I'm concerned I'd say yes he should.

In COPD exacerbations the body gets starved of oxygenated blood which puts as much pressure on all the organs as does too high blood glucose - if they're joining together to batter your stepdad - it's double whammy.

But of course I'm not a doctor …….

 

[james80]

As far as I'm concerned I'd say yes he should.

In COPD exacerbations the body gets starved of oxygenated blood which puts as much pressure on all the organs as does too high blood glucose - if they're joining together to batter your stepdad - it's double whammy.

But of course I'm not a doctor …….

Yes that’s what worries me Jenny, his recent opticians appointment was all normal, but he seems to be having more unusual problems in the last 12 months, the beginning of 2018 he was in hospital with pericarditis (fluid around the heart) which they couldn’t figure out what the cause was. Then in the summer he’s had a really bad bout of shingles which spread to his brain and encephalitis, he was on antiviral IV for 8 weeks, and now suffers from post neuralgia all over his torso, aches and pains. He’s 64 and I just wonder has this long term high blood glucose had anything to do with some of the conditions he’s suffered from. Maybe his immune system is being dampened down by it, I don’t know.

Thank you for your post Jenny

 

[SB2015]

My Stepdad is type 2 diabetic and has been on metformin, gliclizide and Sitagliptan for years. He’s always monitored his blood sugar levels which have always been between 6-12.
About 9 months ago it shot up to mid 20’s, and he suffers from COPD (a respiratory condition that effects the lungs) so during a stay in hospital the doctors put it down to a chest infection. Every few months he has to take prednisolone (steroids) to treat his lung condition. Each time he see’s a GP or a diabetic nurse at his practice they say that his high blood sugar levels is probably down to either an infection or from taking prednisolone (steroids). I heard about the HbA1c test and we asked his GP to arrange one which they did and it revealed that his levels have been high (mid 20’s) for at least the past 3 months. They mentioned that he may end up on insulin. They added extra glicliazide to his regime and said come back in 3 months. His blood sugars didn’t drop and again each time he had to go in about his chest they said the levels are probably down to infection. A different GP, wants to send him for another HbA1c next week. This will be 9 months on, and his levels have been mid 20’s. Does anyone know is this normal? Should he be getting treated sooner rather than later to protect his organs?

Thank you

Hi James, and welcome to the forum
Your Stepdad is certainly being battered and the high BG won’t help his recovery.

Steroids do have a big impact on BG. I use a pump and over time I have found that for me I have to double my insulin due to the impact of the steroids. It is good that the GP has recognised that the cause of the high BG may be due to the steroids, and with an infection they will be higher as well. The high BG needs to be addressed, as whilst they are high the infections get very excited and make a meal of the yummy glucose available (apologies to @mikeyB as not exactly a medical description).

If the GP has increased his meds they will want another HBA1c to check the impact of the change. The hospitals will often not do a repeat test within three months. This may explain the delay that they are suggesting.

Many of those with T2 who have struggled with high BG and have then started to use insulin, have found it easier to manage their levels. This may work better for your stepdad as he could then talk to the GP about increasing his diesels when he is taking the steroids.

As with Jenny, I am no medic, but I would certainly want to tackle any high BGs

 

[KARNAK]

Hi James the answer is yes, listen to Jenny and @SB2015 can you post the HbA1c result when you receive it?