High Glucose Levels

[Bella2018]

Hi,
I've been working a night shift, and as normal at about 1:30am I had a monster. This has never affected me. I haven't been diagnosed with diabetes however my dad has so i keep a glucose monitor on me. Got up an hour later and whilst I was walking and i got suddenly shaky. I went to sit down and i was nearly struggling to breathe and i could feel severe palpations. I used an oxymeter and my heart rate was 140bpm.

I then decided to take my blood glucose levels. I had eaten prior to this a burger and chips (15m). My levels were 9.3mmol and I'm not sure if this is considered too high? another hour after this onset i am feeling a bit better, i can still feel palpations and my heart rate is 86 with oxygen intake 97.

Could I get some thoughts please? Should I continue to monitor? I don't like pricking myself so i would rather ask!

 

[Jenny15]

Hi @Bella2018 I assume you mean a monster brand energy drink? they are high in caffeine and IIRC guarana. Probably better to have one in the morning or afternoon than at night.

Although you are aged only 16, I think you should see your GP about what age would be good to start having annual HbA1c blood tests to screen for diabetes, only because you have a family history of it. I always had these and it's how my diabetes was picked up at age 40. I had no symptoms.

I don't think you need to monitor your blood sugars tonight. Your oxygen saturation % sounds fairly normal. *But* if you have any concerns then I think you should seek medical help by phone in the first instance, as we can't possibly be sure you are OK via the internet and I'd hate to give you incorrect info.

 

[DavidGrahamJones]

diabetes however my dad has so i keep a glucose monitor on me.

Type I or II? There's much more to diabetes than genetics, environmental factors are important, for example diet.

I went to sit down and I was nearly struggling to breathe and i could feel severe palpitations. I used an oxymeter and my heart rate was 140bpm.

Definitely something nobody except for a GP can comment on.. I've been type II for 20 years and have never had palpitations, but that proves nothing.
High carb foods and processed sugar can cause palpitations as can low potassium levels and dehydration. You'd be better off seeing a GP, especially if this is a regular occurrence. Did eating the food happen before the palpitations?
Palpitations wouldn't come near the top of a list of diabetic symptoms, probably not on a list. For type I

• Increased thirst.
• Increased hunger (especially after eating)
• Dry mouth.
• Frequent urination or urine infections.
• Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry)
• Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
• Blurred vision
• Headaches.

And for type II which can take several years to become noticeable.

• Frequent Urination. ...
• Extreme Thirst. ...
• Increased Hunger. ...
• Nerve Pain or Numbness. ...
• Slow Healing Wounds. ...
• Blurred Vision. ...
• Dark Skin Patches.

I had eaten prior to this a burger and chips (15m). My levels were 9.3mmol and I'm not sure if this is considered too high?

You'd be better off checking 1 or 2 hours after a meal, 15 minutes is too quick. However, what you were seeing will have been affected by the sugary drink (55gms per can). Don't forget even if you've washed your hands properly before testing, they can still be up to 15% out.

 

[kitedoc]

Hi @Bella2018,
If a Monster is a caffeine-containing drink you could have developed palpitations etc from the caffeine, maybe. I am unsure whether drinking it on a empty stomach would make the caffeine be absorbed quicker but it could be worth asking about.
From my experience as a diabetic over the past 51 years etc, a blood sugar reading at one hour of 9.3 is not exceptional or used to diagnose diabetes ( but a doctor would need to verify this statement).
You have had a fright, no doubt.
It does give you the opportunity to discuss things with your doctor and see whether there is anything about your diet, life style etc which might lower your risk of developing diabetes in the future.