Driving

[AndyS]

Can you guys possibly help?

I had a meeting with my boss yesterday. During the meeting we discussed me covering IT Support in Scotland.

I said it wouldn't be a problem except when I have an off day and just cant seem to bring my blood sugar levels down.

He asked me something which I honestly couldn't answer. What are the safe blood sugar levels for driving. I know the DVLA recommend that if they are 5 mmol/l before driving you should eat. Does anyone know what the upper limit is? I have searched the DVLA website and searched through this site too and cant seem to find the answer.

I couldn't ask for a more supportive Manager or employer. Both go above and beyond what's probably legally expected of them. I have been told on numerous occasions that no matter where I am or what I'm doing if I need to stop and test\eat etc I do it.

Regards

Andy

 

[Cate]

I guess it's quite an individual thing, much more so than low BSs. For me, I start getting high blood sugar symptoms at around 10mmol, so wouldn't like to drive above that (not driving atm anyway, left eye bleed again the other day, grr). But when I was on MDI I wouldnt get the same feelings till much higher, so would drive with higher levels if necessary - up to around 15mmol probably. Above those levels I start to get slightly blurry vision, so keeping off the roads is probably a lot safer!

 

[AndyS]

I guess it's quite an individual thing, much more so than low BSs. For me, I start getting high blood sugar symptoms at around 10mmol, so wouldn't like to drive above that (not driving atm anyway, left eye bleed again the other day, grr). But when I was on MDI I wouldnt get the same feelings till much higher, so would drive with higher levels if necessary - up to around 15mmol probably. Above those levels I start to get slightly blurry vision, so keeping off the roads is probably a lot safer!

Hi Cate

I would say around 10 mmol too. Above 12 mmol I feel a bit sick and start getting sleepy and blurry eyed.

Thanks for the reply 😱)

Andy

 

[rossoneri]

Good question!

I do not know for certain but I do not think there is an officially defined or legal upper limit. It is probably good practice however if you were to be cautious about driving if, as you and Cate say, you were at a level where you start getting a reaction; if you have had high readings persistently over a number of consecutive days and/or if you detect more than a trace of ketones.

I would say it is less strict for high BGs than low ones because for most people the effects of a hyper are less dramatic and immediate than those of a hypo and therefore it is easier to pull over if you detect them. Also for me I do not currently suffer any noticable symptoms until I get to around 14.0 mmol/l when I start checking for ketones. I would therefore be quite comfortable about driving at levels up to around 14.0 provided I was not too uncomfortable or distracted with the high reading! Certainly when I was first diagnosed and the one time since when I was admitted to hospital with DKA (long story) the effect had built up over a number of days but I had felt quite early on when I started slipping into a DKA state that the last thing I wanted to do was go for a drive.

One problem however with driving with high BGs is that it often causes me to need to go to pass water more frequently. Your driving might therefore become a little erratic if you start to speed up in order to reach the next suitable convenience in time. 😱

 

[AndyS]

Good question!

I do not know for certain but I do not think there is an officially defined or legal upper limit. It is probably good practice however if you were to be cautious about driving if, as you and Cate say, you were at a level where you start getting a reaction; if you have had high readings persistently over a number of consecutive days and/or if you detect more than a trace of ketones.

I would say it is less strict for high BGs than low ones because for most people the effects of a hyper are less dramatic and immediate than those of a hypo and therefore it is easier to pull over if you detect them. Also for me I do not currently suffer any noticable symptoms until I get to around 14.0 mmol/l when I start checking for ketones. I would therefore be quite comfortable about driving at levels up to around 14.0 provided I was not too uncomfortable or distracted with the high reading! Certainly when I was first diagnosed and the one time since when I was admitted to hospital with DKA (long story) the effect had built up over a number of days but I had felt quite early on when I started slipping into a DKA state that the last thing I wanted to do was go for a drive.

One problem however with driving with high BGs is that it often causes me to need to go to pass water more frequently. Your driving might therefore become a little erratic if you start to speed up in order to reach the next suitable convenience in time. 😱

Hi Rossoneri

Thanks for that. What are ketones? I have heard of them and heard people mention testing for them. I'm type 2 on insulin. I have test strips for testing my blood, but have no idea how to test for keytones.

Thanks again

Andy

 

[rossoneri]

Hi Rossoneri

... What are ketones? I have heard of them and heard people mention testing for them. I'm type 2 on insulin. I have test strips for testing my blood, but have no idea how to test for keytones. ...

Andy,

Fyi details can be found here on the Diabetes UK website, it also explains what DKA means!

Apologies, I had forgotten that ketones were more of type one issue but I expect your use of insulin means you could get them too but it would be worthwhile checking with either your GP or diabetes nurse or even try a search on this forum!

Testing for ketones is quite easily done using urine strips. I can get my strips on prescription, you should be able to as well if they agree that it is worthwhile you having them, especially as they are very cheap compared to blood glucose strips. The advice I have is to only do the test if my BG gets above 14.0mmol/l.

Hope that helps!

 

[AndyS]

Andy,

Fyi details can be found here on the Diabetes UK website, it also explains what DKA means!

Apologies, I had forgotten that ketones were more of type one issue but I expect your use of insulin means you could get them too but it would be worthwhile checking with either your GP or diabetes nurse or even try a search on this forum!

Testing for ketones is quite easily done using urine strips. I can get my strips on prescription, you should be able to as well if they agree that it is worthwhile you having them, especially as they are very cheap compared to blood glucose strips. The advice I have is to only do the test if my BG gets above 14.0mmol/l.

Hope that helps!

Hi Rossoneri

I'm seeing the diabetic nurse next week and will mention it to her. My blood sugar levels are all over the place and about 14 mmol/l isnt uncommon with me.

Thanks again

Andy