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Help?!?

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ebony321

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Hi,

i've tested my blood sugar three times today as i always do daily, but today each time i haven't been given a number my meter just says Hi and flashes check ketones!.. does this mean my blood sugar is to high to read or is there something wrong? i've been on the manufacturer website but theres nothing helpful on there... :?
 
yeah, i have the ones which check for ketones and measure glucose on the same strip and its come negative for ketones but the darkest one for glucose. i havent been diagnosed long so its still all a bit new and im just worried my sugar is too high and i should do something about it?
 
what is NHS24? i feel fine but i dont want to ignore it then not feel fine... thanks for your help :)
 
Hiya,
Are you using an Optium Xceed - I think you may be? Basically it means the reading is over 28 as that's as high as it can test. Other machines (eg the Accuchek ones) can read up to 33, then they too say HI. Any reading over 16.9 will cause the Optium to remind you to check for ketones. Are you Type 1 or Type 2? If the former it is really important you check your ketones, either with a ketostix (that you wee on) or with blood ketone strips that your Optium can take. How are you feeling? Okay or ill? If you are on MDI, did you remember to take your Lantus/Levemir last time? If on a pump you need to check your ketones FAST.

If you are feeling fine, it could just be that your meter is malfunctioning - do you have a back up machine to do another check on? I am sure that you washed your hands, changed your lancet etc etc....? I don't mean to insult you by asking basic questions, but it's worth ruling everything out!

If you are feeling at all unwell and have no way of re-checking your BG or ketones, seek medical help straight away. You cannot afford to risk diabetic ketoacidosis.
Sue
 
Hi
I don't want to scare you, but usually when a meter displays HI it means that the sugar Reading is off the scale the meter can detect.the level this occurs is different for different meters.I have the optium xceed meter and this happens at about 27+ mmol/l. I would suggest taking some insulin, one unit usually reduces BS by 2 or 3 so don't take loads. Then test again in a couple of hours to see where you're at.if it's still bad or you feel unwell contact a dr.
Hope that helps

Komi
 
yeah i use optimum exceed, i do have ketone test strips and theyve been totally negative, im type 1 diagnosed jan09 and ive taken my insulin as normal but im sometimes way high then low etc as im still not quite there yet so i was worried it may be that i was really high, i did all the basics (no offence taken :) and taken a few readings as it had never shown that before.. when i was diagnosed i had ketones ++++ so i know how bad it can be so ill still have a snack before bed and insulin in morning and check for ketones then too just incase it is a meter malfunction and call my diabetes nurse tomorrow. thanks very much for your help x
 
Hiya,
It's great that your ketones are negative! The most logical explanation would be that you have either missed a bolus of fast acting insulin, or not had your long acting insulin, but you are saying that you've had your insulin as normal. So perhaps you've just eaten something (unusual?) that your insulin hasn't covered. For example, a large banana eaten and not bolused for can cause either of my daughters to go HI. In this case, we give extra fast acting (Novorapid) insulin to correct and check an hour and then 2 hours later to make sure it has come down. Also checking the ketones each time to make sure they are okay. Does any of this seem possible? Or maybe you are coming down with a virus or something, that can cause you to run high - again you need extra fast acting insulin to counteract it. Do you have any Novorapid and have you been given any instructions about a correction ratio? I would be wary of having a carby snack before bed as this will only push you higher.
Sue
PS. We have used Optiums for 5 years and never had one malfunction - the Accucheks yes, but not the Optiums, so whilst it's not impossible that your machine is malfunctioning, I think it's unlikely.
 
Before it gets ignored completely...just because you don't have ketones that doesn't mean your blood sugar is OK. 27 mmol/l is a VERY high reading at around 5x normal level so you need to get that level down and test hourly until it is! Of course being certain that your meter is working correctly too
 
I dont have any fast acting insulin as i use novomix30 twice a day so im pretty sure im correct in saying that if i took any extra it will kind of bring my sugar down but the slow acting would also peak later on so could cause me to go low when i take my morning dose as they will cross over?.. im hoping to go to one long acting and three fast acting a day as it would suit my lifestyle better and help in situations like these.. i agree i probably shouldnt have a snack if my sugar is a high and its very unlikley it is a meter malfunction. i do feel okay but when you mention about i may be coming down with a virus my nana has a stomach bug so maybe it could be something like that. but either way ill see what test results are like tomorrow morning and if i do start to feel unwell i will seek medical attention :O) thanks for all your help guys to be honest i didnt think id get a response so fast never mind more than one :)
 
hi ebony

How long as your meter being giving the high reading?

How are you feeling in general, as this might give you a guide to what is happening..

If you take it that most meters will give a high reading above 33mmol/l, then one would assume that a T1 diabetic would at this point be either DKA or on the way to this...

Ask yourself the following

Are you thirsty?
Needing to go to the loo?
Do you feel unwell?
Do you feel sick?
Have you got stomach pains?
If you got any with you, can the smell a pear drop/ acitone smell on your breath?

If you can answear yes to any of these questions,

I would do one of two things

Either call an out of hours doctor, or go to A&E so that they can check your BG with there meters, if they find that yes your meter is working, they give you futher advice to bring your bg's down following the sick day rules...

If you feel fine in your self, then the meter is most likely wrong, I would try a fresh container of strips to rule out a problem with the strips you are using, and perhaps replace the batteries if you can.. As these two can give false readings at times..

Even if you can't answer yes to the first questions and are worried to what your bg levels really are seek further medical advice, you will find that they will be more than happy to help you...
 
That's the kind of people we are!

PS definitely a good plan to split your insulins, gives you much more flexibility, and ability to deal correctly with emergency situations like this.
 
Hi again,
The fact that you've had your Novomix means it's unlikely you will become ketotic as you have enough long acting insulin in your system. If you don't want to seek medical help tonight, perhaps it would be a good idea to set your alarm in the night so you can check your BG and ketones just to make sure nothing untoward is happening.

Alternatively, although it is a hassle, if you went to A+E they might prescribe some Novorapid for you to have tonight and to take home, and then you wouldn't be stuck in this situation again. Just make sure they work out a correction ratio for you if that happens!
Sue
 
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