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Diabetes and numbers

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Jon1066

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I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2014 and give a device for checking blood sugar levels. Nobody has ever explained what reading are high/low in my case high. My reading is over the last few months has been between 14 and 20 mmol/L - today’s reading 20.1 mmol/L. Not sure if I should be concerned as this is a significant increase on what my levels have been in previous years (around 8mmol/L). Thanks, Jon
 
Hi @Jon1066 and welcome to the forum - Blood Glucose readings will be vastly different depending on times of day, depending on activity levels, food, etc. etc, In fact there are 42 factors that affect it:

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With regards to testing, it is best to test before eating, and then 2 hrs afterwards, to see the effect the food has had on your levels, as well as when you get up and go to bed - random tests are not particularly useful - that said, the numbers you have mentioned are quite high - so I would recommend speaking to your diabetes team as it would seem whatever medication you may be taking needs a bit of tweaking
 
Jon1066 said:
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2014 and give a device for checking blood sugar levels. Nobody has ever explained what reading are high/low in my case high. My reading is over the last few months has been between 14 and 20 mmol/L - today’s reading 20.1 mmol/L. Not sure if I should be concerned as this is a significant increase on what my levels have been in previous years (around 8mmol/L). Thanks, Jon
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Welcome to the forum.
I think you should be very concerned as they are very high numbers to have for any length of time, the odd reading that high may occur under some circumstances.
The readings you are looking at for well managed condition would be 4-7 mmol/l fasting or before meals and no more than 8-8.5mmol/l 2 hours after eating.
I think you would be wise to get some urine ketone dip sticks to keep a check on ketones as high blood glucose and ketones put you at risk of DKA which needs immediate medical attention.
Are you on any medication as if so it sounds as if that is no longer working for you and if you are managing by diet then whatever dietary regime has slipped and is no longer sufficient.
I think you need a appointment with your GP asap and request an HbA1C test to check where you are now and discuss some change to your treatment.
Those are worryingly high levels so certainly as high as 20mmol/l you should call 111 for advise as it is ow the weekend.
 
Leadinglights said:
Welcome to the forum.
I think you should be very concerned as they are very high numbers to have for any length of time, the odd reading that high may occur under some circumstances.
The readings you are looking at for well managed condition would be 4-7 mmol/l fasting or before meals and no more than 8-8.5mmol/l 2 hours after eating.
I think you would be wise to get some urine ketone dip sticks to keep a check on ketones as high blood glucose and ketones put you at risk of DKA which needs immediate medical attention.
Are you on any medication as if so it sounds as if that is no longer working for you and if you are managing by diet then whatever dietary regime has slipped and is no longer sufficient.
I think you need a appointment with your GP asap and request an HbA1C test to check where you are now and discuss some change to your treatment.
Those are worryingly high levels so certainly as high as 20mmol/l you should call 111 for advise as it is ow the weekend.
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Thank you so much. I will contact 111 to get advice.
 
Hi @Jon1066 and welcome to the forum.

Just to check... you were diagnosed in 2014. Have you had regular reviews since then? If so, have you had regular HbA1c tests done since then? Have you been testing since 2014? Are you on any medication?

Sorry for the questions but those readings are high and would almost certainly give a diabetes diagnosis if an Hba1c test was done today. I would not panic, but my suggestion would be to get an appointment with your GP as soon as you can to talk through the results you are getting and work out what you need to do to get them down. I would expect them to at least order an HbA1c test to see exactly where you are currently on the diabetic scale.
 
I am currently taking 400mg of Metforming per day and also sitagliptin. Haven’t had an HbA1c test for a few months. Last time it was high but it seems to have got worse. Thank you for all the advice. Really appreciate it.
 
When did you take that reading which gave you 20.1? Was it after a meal or before and if after, how long after and what did you eat. Obviously, at this time of year, there are lots of goodies on offer which are not exactly helpful to our diabetes management so if, for example, you have been eating Xmas pud or mince pies, then they will definitely push your levels up pretty high for several hours afterwards.
What if any medication are you using to manage your diabetes? Finger prick readings in the mid teens or 20s are concerning and you would definitely not want to have readings that high for months on end or years, so it is important to get some support from your GP or diabetes nurse sooner rather than later and in the mean time, go easy on carb rich foods. The sweet stuff I mentioned can be like rocket fuel but there is lots of savoury stuff too which will push your levels up like bread and pasta and rice and noodles and pastry and potatoes and Yorkshire puds and breakfast cereals so go easy on those foods until you get an appointment and if your levels hit 30 or if you start to feel unwell with symptoms of DKA (Diabetic KetoAcidosis) ie. stomach pains, nausea, vomiting or respiratory distress or a fruity (pear drops smelling breath) then certainly seek urgent medical attention ie A&E as DKA is life threatening and can develop quite quickly if finger prick levels are high.
 
The 20.1 reading was first thing in the morning before breakfast. I have tried to ease off the goodies and haven’t had a single mince pie this year. Although I have eaten some Pringles which I know are not great. I will ease off everything you mentioned, I have contacted 111 and waiting for the ‘out of hours’ doctor to ring me back. Thank you for you advice and support.
 
Oh wow! A reading of 20 first thing in the morning is not good at all!
We all know how difficult it is at this time of year but with numbers that high you do need to be careful with what you eat, especially when your medication doesn't seem to be working. It sounds like you might need insulin. Has that been discussed by your doctor or nurse?
 
Jon1066 said:
The 20.1 reading was first thing in the morning before breakfast. I have tried to ease off the goodies and haven’t had a single mince pie this year. Although I have eaten some Pringles which I know are not great. I will ease off everything you mentioned, I have contacted 111 and waiting for the ‘out of hours’ doctor to ring me back. Thank you for you advice and support.
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@Jon1066
a reading of 20.1 on waking is very high, I used to get readings like that (although not necessarily in the morning) think the highest I ever woke to was 17.something, that was before I got under a good control, when my HbA1c was running (very high)

good job you checked in on the forum and a sensible precaution called 111
 
I’m hoping to get myself sorted asap. I know that I haven’t been looking after myself as much as I should be. I have had a tremendous amount on at work and that has taken priority over everything. I’m realising now that it’s time to get myself back to good health. I’m thankful for everyone commenting on this and feel touched by people taking the time to support me on this.
 
rebrascora said:
Oh wow! A reading of 20 first thing in the morning is not good at all!
We all know how difficult it is at this time of year but with numbers that high you do need to be careful with what you eat, especially when your medication doesn't seem to be working. It sounds like you might need insulin. Has that been discussed by your doctor or nurse?
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Not discussed any alternative medication from Metforming although I know I am on the maximum dose.
 
Jon1066 said:
I’m hoping to get myself sorted asap. I know that I haven’t been looking after myself as much as I should be. I have had a tremendous amount on at work and that has taken priority over everything. I’m realising now that it’s time to get myself back to good health. I’m thankful for everyone commenting on this and feel touched by people taking the time to support me on this.
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It’s clear that you have realised you will need to make some changes, and I'm sure you will find the forum and great support ( I certainly have myself) anything you need some answers to I’m sure people will be happy to advise
 
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