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How does a general anaesthetic affect blood glucose levels

annie-p

annie-p

Well-Known Member
Messages
91
Location
Aberdeenshire
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi, I am due to have an operation on 7th March under a general anaesthetic. My next hba1c blood test is due to be taken on 14th March with my first review with the diabetes nurse on 23rd March. Could anyone advise me/help with their own experience as to how it could possibly affect the results. I am aware that we are all different but would like to have a general idea of what may happen.....just in case I need to fight my own corner! Thanks :)
 
It wasn't a problem for me. I had a 6 hour operation and my BGs didn't seem to be affected at all. Being nil by mouth was fine for me as a diet controlled T2. When my heart consultant was talking to me before the op he said that being diet controlled was easier as they didn't need to worry about my BG going too low. So since an HbA1c is a (kind of) average of the last 2-3 months I doubt that it will be affected much. I think the amount of time you have to stay in hospital eating their idea of a 'healthy diet' is more important. I was thankfully only there for one night after the op so not too much damage done there. :)

Hope all goes well for you on 7th. :)
 
I had two general anaesthetics two months apart last year. My pre-op hba1cs were both the same so I don't think the ops affected my hba1cs. Try not to stress as it is more important to have an operation than it is to have a good number. My BG and BP were both high in hospital though as I was like this>>>:nailbiting: Nurses said it was better to be higher than lower so were not concerned. As Zand says, the hospital food might not be great for you so plan to take some healthy food. All the best.
 
Had a number of generals as a t1 all using sliding scale insulin or BG level maintained throughout
 
zand said:
It wasn't a problem for me. I had a 6 hour operation and my BGs didn't seem to be affected at all. Being nil by mouth was fine for me as a diet controlled T2. When my heart consultant was talking to me before the op he said that being diet controlled was easier as they didn't need to worry about my BG going too low. So since an HbA1c is a (kind of) average of the last 2-3 months I doubt that it will be affected much. I think the amount of time you have to stay in hospital eating their idea of a 'healthy diet' is more important. I was thankfully only there for one night after the op so not too much damage done there. :)

Hope all goes well for you on 7th. :)
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Thank you for your reply, it has certainly put my mind at ease. I'm hoping my stay will be just for the one night - although if I'm very well behaved then I may get early release! :woot:
 
Avocado Sevenfold said:
I had two general anaesthetics two months apart last year. My pre-op hba1cs were both the same so I don't think the ops affected my hba1cs. Try not to stress as it is more important to have an operation than it is to have a good number. My BG and BP were both high in hospital though as I was like this>>>:nailbiting: Nurses said it was better to be higher than lower so were not concerned. As Zand says, the hospital food might not be great for you so plan to take some healthy food. All the best.
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Thank you, that has helped. I'm hoping not to be in for long but will be very careful about what I eat and will pack some of my snacks in my bag just in case! ;)
 
Mine went sky high, it can depend on the individual. Sometimes, things are out of our control with illnesses and operations, but eventually they do come down. All the best and good luck :)
 
Robinredbreast said:
Mine went sky high, it can depend on the individual. Sometimes, things are out of our control with illnesses and operations, but eventually they do come down. All the best and good luck :)
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I think it is less likely to go sky high as the OP is T2 and the nil by mouth period will help. You are right though we don't know until we go through it ourselves.
 
zand said:
I think it is less likely to go sky high as the OP is T2 and the nil by mouth period will help. You are right though we don't know until we go through it ourselves.
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Yes, obviously we are all different and only speaking from my type 1 experiences.
 
Robinredbreast said:
Mine went sky high, it can depend on the individual. Sometimes, things are out of our control with illnesses and operations, but eventually they do come down. All the best and good luck :)
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Thank you. I'll be interested to see how my numbers behave.....I'll be glad when it's all over! :nailbiting:
 
I have not had general anaesthetic since being diabetic but for the op I had a few months ago I had spinal anaesthesia and that seemed OK as far as bg was concerned though I did have a couple of bad hypos after leaving hospital more to do with what happened after the op I think.
 
annie-p said:
Hi, I am due to have an operation on 7th March under a general anaesthetic. My next hba1c blood test is due to be taken on 14th March with my first review with the diabetes nurse on 23rd March. Could anyone advise me/help with their own experience as to how it could possibly affect the results. I am aware that we are all different but would like to have a general idea of what may happen.....just in case I need to fight my own corner! Thanks :)
Click to expand...

If it concerns you enough, could you ring up and ask for your HbA1c test to be brought forward? That would solve your anxieties. :)
 
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