Current blood sugars of 20mmol/l

[Jenninp89]

Hi, I've just checked my blood sugars as have been urinating a lot. They are 20.1. I'm new to all this and wondered what to do?

I'm currently on metformin 500mg twice daily, gliclazide 80mg twice daily, and novomix 30 16 units a day.

Even my doc said that my insulin is a 'baby dose'

Any thoughts? Thank you all

 

[Wshelledy]

Did your dr say to change your insulin if your bg changes? That is one possibility. Increasing the novamix by 1 unit per dose was what my dr suggested until I hit under target. Other approaches could be to reduce your carb intake to bring your numbers down, greatly increasing you water intake and increasing your level of exercise. I exercise after every meal and that seems to help my body use the sugar in my system when my bg starts to creep up

 

[Jenninp89]

Hi, thanks for your reply, no my doctor hasn't suggested that. Although he has slowly increased from 6 units to 8 units. I don't think it's enough to be honest with you. I normally walk my dog after meals and this helps. However, this evening my figures are just going up and up. Weird.

 

[DCUKMod]

@Jenninp89 - I'm going to tag @himtoo to hopefully drop in and have a chat with you.

 

[Jenninp89]

@Jenninp89 - I'm going to tag @himtoo to hopefully drop in and have a chat with you.

That's great thanks

 

[Tokamachi]

When my doctor diagnosed my blood glucose was up in 360-400 mg/dL in April 2017.
He prescribed Metformin 500mg twice day only but he recommended me to attend the diabetes classes and visit a nutritionist. So I did.

I was allergic to Metformin so he has changed my meds to Glipizide 10mg once day. I’m on high fat low carb(70g) a day diet.
Have you started the diet and exercise program?
I had a same problem as you with frequent WC trip.
I also had a weight problem, I can’t gain weight. I don’t believe in US diabetes recommendation, some diet makes me sicker and never able to control my glucose’s. I had a great advises from this sites members.
I know everybody is different so whatever works for you just stay on.
Good luck!

 

[himtoo]

Hi @Jenninp89
not an expert at all on LADA -- but what I can say is that all of our doses and medications are individual to us --I would be questioning the novomix insulin regime -- this pretty much means you must eat a fixed amount of carbs at each meal -- that is what this insulin is meant to work best with -- if that makes sense

do you have a DSN ( diabetic nurse ) -- often they are easier to contact and more in touch with individual needs.

I am going to tag in a LADA to offer some support too. she is lovely and helpful !!!!
@DaftThoughts

and also tagging @catapillar for her very sensible views on most every topic

 

[catapillar]

Do you have a confirmed LADA diagnosis @Jenninp89 ? Gliclazide isn't really recommended for those with LADA if they want to retain residual beta cell function.

In addition, mixed insulin isn't recommended for type 1s, which is what LADA is. NICE says type 1s should be on a basal bolus regime rather than mixed insulin. With mixed insulin your dosage will only be able to manage a certain carb intake, have you been given any guidance on how many carbs per meal your dose can cope with? If not you should seek guidance on this from whoever prescribed it.

Do you have a means to test for ketones?

 

[Jenninp89]

Hi @Jenninp89
not an expert at all on LADA -- but what I can say is that all of our doses and medications are individual to us --I would be questioning the novomix insulin regime -- this pretty much means you must eat a fixed amount of carbs at each meal -- that is what this insulin is meant to work best with -- if that makes sense

do you have a DSN ( diabetic nurse ) -- often they are easier to contact and more in touch with individual needs.

I am going to tag in a LADA to offer some support too.
@DaftThoughts

and also tagging @catapillar for her very sensible views on most every topic

Hi there, no sadly I don't have a DSN at the moment. Services in my area are in a bad state. I'm having to wait a long time to even see a nurse. At the moment my GP manages my tablets and insulin etc. He isn't very helpful. He just keeps saying that my insulin is a 'baby dose' whatever that means. If that's the case then increase it I said to him.

Many thanks

 

[himtoo]

thank you @catapillar -- your wise words will help for sure !!!!!!

 

[Jenninp89]

Do you have a confirmed LADA diagnosis @Jenninp89 ? Gliclazide isn't really recommended for those with LADA if they want to retain residual beta cell function.

In addition, mixed insulin isn't recommended for type 1s, which is what LADA is. NICE says type 1s should be on a basal bolus regime rather than mixed insulin. With mixed insulin your dosage will only be able to manage a certain carb intake, have you been given any guidance on how many carbs per meal your dose can cope with? If not you should seek guidance on this from whoever prescribed it.

Do you have a means to test for ketones?

Hi, thanks for your reply, I don't have a means to test for ketones, and right now that is very much a concern. Without going to hospital or the GP tomorrow morning I have no idea. I've had no advice at all only that I should take my tablets as told and my insulin, and wait to see a nurse next month

My doctor has said it is highly likely that I am LADA, late onset type one, if I'm correct? he is sending me for a GAD blood test. Thanks again

 

[himtoo]

Hi there, no sadly I don't have a DSN at the moment. Services in my area are in a bad state. I'm having to wait a long time to even see a nurse. At the moment my GP manages my tablets and insulin etc. He isn't very helpful. He just keeps saying that my insulin is a 'baby dose' whatever that means. If that's the case then increase it I said to him.

Many thanks

hey there == you are not getting the care you need to manage a difficult illness -- can you ask for a referral to an endocrinologist ??

 

[Jenninp89]

hey there == you are not getting the care you need to manage a difficult illness -- can you ask for a referral to an endocrinologist ??

I saw an endocrinologist last month. He was awful. Simply said that my GP would manage my condition and that he was only there for specific questions. Nightmare to be honest

 

[himtoo]

on a similar and related topic -- how often are you testing your blood sugars -- and what sort of readings are you seeing ??
I saw the 20.1 you posted to start this thread -- are they consistently at that sort of level ??

if so -- you should be talking to NHS 111 service for further advice -- as you can not test for ketones .

 

[Jenninp89]

on a similar and related topic -- how often are you testing your blood sugars -- and what sort of readings are you seeing ??
I saw the 20.1 you posted to start this thread -- are they consistently at that sort of level ??

if so -- you should be talking to NHS 111 service for further advice -- as you can not test for ketones .

Hey, I normally test 2/3 times daily. It was just I noticed I was going to the toilet a lot that I checked again this evening. Approx two hours ago. They have been above hovering around 20 for around two to three hours now

 

[himtoo]

I saw an endocrinologist last month. He was awful. Simply said that my GP would manage my condition and that he was only there for specific questions. Nightmare to be honest

and unfortunately -- you did not have a clue what specific questions to ask -- or that needed answering

that is not good at all

I would phone 111 and also speak to your GP tomorrow as a matter of urgency -- your BG's should be in single figures -- not in high teens and low 20's.

 

[Jenninp89]

and unfortunately -- you did not have a clue what specific questions to ask -- or that needed answering

that is not good at all

I would phone 111 and also speak to your GP tomorrow as a matter of urgency -- your BG's should be in single figures -- not in high teens and low 20's.

Exactly, the specialist just flooded me with information and then ushered me out the door. It's only recently, having learned more, that I noticed how terrible he was. Thanks again

 

[catapillar]

Hi, thanks for your reply, I don't have a means to test for ketones, and right now that is very much a concern. Without going to hospital or the GP tomorrow morning I have no idea. I've had no advice at all only that I should take my tablets as told and my insulin, and wait to see a nurse next month

My doctor has said it is highly likely that I am LADA, late onset type one, if I'm correct? he is sending me for a GAD blood test. Thanks again

If you're concerned about ketones now, you could call 111 for advice. You could buy ketone test strips on Amazon, the urine ones are cheap if giving a vague result. You really should have been prescribed a means of testing ketones if your doctor thinks it's highly likely you are LADA, which is type 1.

I'm not sure why your doctor would be sending you anywhere for a GAD test. It's just a blood draw, you'd just have blood drawn at the surgery and then the blood sample, not you, is sent off to be tested for antibodies.

 

[Jenninp89]

If you're concerned about ketones now, you could call 111 for advice. You could buy ketone test strips on Amazon, the urine ones are cheap if giving a vague result. You really should have been prescribed a means of testing ketones if your doctor thinks it's highly likely you are LADA, which is type 1.

I'm not sure why your doctor would be sending you anywhere for a GAD test. It's just a blood draw, you'd just have blood drawn at the surgery and then the blood sample, not you, is sent off to be tested for antibodies.

I think I will have to give them a call now. My figures have gone up to 22.3 now. Annoying.

I will ask my doctor about the ketones testing strips. Thanks for that.

 

[DCUKMod]

Fingers crossed for you @Jenninp89 .