glucose levels after surgery

scooby15

Member
Messages
7
Hi all, I recently started insulin therapy for type 2 and currently being titrated two units every four days up to 26 units of mixed twice daily, my numbers have been coming down very nicely and although still getting over 10 mmols diabetic nurse is pleased not due to raise another two until next weds, however I had surgery under local anaesthetic two days ago and I have noticed my blood glucose levels have risen despite taking an extra two units of insulin since the day before surgery, should i be concerned or is this usual? or can you become more resistant to insulin like a plateau effect?
 

phoenix

Expert
Messages
5,671
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
No, it's not unusual, basically you may need more insulin after trauma (which surgery is)
At this stage of your transition to insulin I think that you should contact your doc/nurse on Monday.
In the mean time do watch those levels, if you think that they are going very high and are concerned contact NHS direct.
 

jopar

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,222
Scooby

Your rise in your blood glucose could well be due to the surgery you had, it's a natural reaction when the body is put under stress which surgery is... I'm T1 but when I broke my finger a couple of years ago is was surprising how it impacted on my blood glucose, I had I to increase my basal while it was heeling..

Not sure what the best plan of action I would advise, is their anybody you can contact that could discuss with you about adjusting your insulin? As because you'll using a mixed insulin and are type 2 adjusting your insulin really needs discussing with somebody who's privy to your medical background etc.
 

scooby15

Member
Messages
7
thanks guys
When i started insulin four weeks ago i was getting fasting levels of 21mmols last week they were down to 10 and even got an 8.8 but yesterday my morning was 12 and had two spikes of 19 and 17 so not too concerned i guess if it goes over 25 i may phone someone before monday had three separate sites of surgery for melanoma so they are quite deep but as i had a local anaesthetic i didnt think it would make a difference to my diabetes
 

jopar

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,222
Scooby

You'll be surprised, hazard a guess that each removal have left something like an inch cut, and deep.

I was surprised the impact my broken finger had both on my BG's and the course of treatment I had :shock:

At first I thought that the increase was purely because I had been flicked 4ft in the air by a dog taking my legs from under me (wasn't my hound either) and I landed with one hell of a thud onto a gravel and muddy path... So yep a bit battered and bruised.. The actual break, was a couple of mm's long at the end of the bone of my finger, leading into the joint..

If I hadn't been diabetic, it would have been the case of strapping finger against the next, keep them strapped for a fortnight no need to come back etc... Not me I ended up back and forward to the fracture clinic for almost 8 weeks, and finger constantly strapped... And most of that time I had my basal rate increased
 

Elc1112

Well-Known Member
Messages
709
Hi Scooby,

I had surgery earlier this year. It was under general, but my sugars were all over the place for a few weeks and I had to do a lot of adjusting. Just keep testing and adjust as needed. Hope the surgery went well and your recovery is going smoothly!

Take care,
Em