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Dramatic change in readings

P

Paul.l

Member
Messages
12
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Pump
Hi, I am a type 2 on insulin, my blood sugars normally vary between 7.5 and 8.5. However they have increased substantially in the last month, I am getting readings of 17 and 18. My 3 monthly test has moved from 7.2 to 8.6! 4 weeks ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer for which I have decided on no treatment but active surveillance. 1 week ago I was diagnosed with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and been prescribed an inhaler. Has anyone please got any ideas of why my blood sugars have shot up, with no change in diet or activity.
 
The new inhaler may have steroids as part of the medication. Try reading the inredients as steroids can raise blood glucose levels.
 
One possibility is your inhaler may contain steroids that would affect you BG but it seems a very steep rise for it to be solely that.

@Guzzler great minds think alike.
 
JohnEGreen said:
One possibility is your inhaler may contain steroids that would affect you BG but it seems a very steep rise for it to be solely that.

@Guzzler great minds think alike.
Click to expand...

..... and fools seldom differ. As my ol'Mum used to say
 
Guzzler said:
The new inhaler may have steroids as part of the medication. Try reading the inredients as steroids can raise blood glucose levels.
Click to expand...
It’s Salbutamol inhaler can’t see it affecting readings by this much
 
Salbutamol doesn’t contain steroids. I was diagnosed with asthma 4 months before I was diagnosed Type 2 and I questioned whether it could have been caused by the steroid inhaler I’d been put. I was told no, I haven’t been able to come off the steroid inhaler so I don’t know if my blood sugars would be lower without it.
 
Paul.l said:
It’s Salbutamol inhaler can’t see it affecting readings by this much
Click to expand...

On Salbutamol site. Couldn't find by how much it raises bg but it does it by promoting gluconeogenesis.
As I understand it, the higher the dose the greater the rise.
I do think that the cancer could be playing a greater part in the rise but I suggest you speak to your GP or better still your oncologist. Diet does play an important part here too.
 
Thanks for that, I’ve been trying to find out if it did have steroids in. The inhaler is certainly helping the COPD and I’m hoping if it can be controlled better I might be able to do more exercise.
 
Thanks for going to that trouble, I have a PSA test in a couple of weeks will see if risen much the cancer could be doing it.
 
Just to clarify, I googled 'Salbutamol hyperglycaemia' and there it was.
 
Paul.l said:
Thanks for going to that trouble, I have a PSA test in a couple of weeks will see if risen much the cancer could be doing it.
Click to expand...

I will have my fingers crossed for you. The cause needs to be addressed as readings in the teens can't go on for long. Best of luck.
 
Yes I was taken off my preventer and left with just the Salbutamol as my GP felt I was getting to much steroids and as Salbutamol has none.

I miss the preventer as it really helped.

I did not realize that Salbutamol could raise BG as well
 
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@Paul.l You really do need to talk to your doctor as although COPD is obviously a serious condition high blood sugars with diabetes and prostate cancer can be a bad combination you do I believe really need to get those BG levels down.
 
You have been under a great deal of stress with your other ailments. It isn't just food that causes BG rises - stress is a major contributor.

I agree you need to speak to your diabetes team to see if your insulin needs adjusting.
 
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