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Post surgery - high glucose levels

S

Sanober

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Not really knowing what's going on inside my Endocrine system!!!
My usual levels tend to be in the range of 6/7 - 10 (some odd spikes of 12/13 at times but only occasionally).

However after my op (Laproscopy for ovarian cyst/endometriosis removal) on Thurs I'm seeing my lowest points are at 10/11 and highs of 18/19.

The day after my op the nurse did a glucose 3 hours after I'd eaten and it was 11.2 (It's usually back to 7ish range).

She did say to me then that my body's reacting to the trauma of the surgery but in the last two days I'm seeing even higher reads (even at times 5 hours after eating and then not eating anything).

I'm not getting any particularly obvious symptoms just a bit spaced out and the usual loo/thirst but no real appetite and go for about 5 hours before I realise I've not eaten. No high temperature and I'm recovering better each day.

It's probably early days I suspect and I just need to test and keep an eye that it doesn't keep going up and up, so I'll be sure to call the hosp if that happens.

Anyone had high readings like this after an op?
 
The nurse is probably right and you are still recovering from the trauma of the operation, when the body is stressed such as in times of illness it is pretty much the norm that bg levels are elevated, as a type 1 I know my insulin requirements need to increase to compensate for this period.

Nigel
 
In my area NHS hospital if you have diabetes then you get booked into HDU (high dependency unit) and after your op they see you every waking hour and expect you to test your own blood with your own kit and give them the meter reading. Mine did not rise too much but those that did show what was considered too high got a visit from the duty doctor.
There is no option .. if you want elective surgery then you accept a slot in the M or F HDU ward... so I would hazard a guess that the trauma of an op could easily cause a rise in BG's.
 
Thanks Nigel and Hobs

I think because I mentioned I was classed a 'good control' and relatively recently diagnosed and not on any medications, then maybe they were not overly concerned. I got the op done privately and was well looked after and monitored generally, but from Hobs' experience seems like the NHS were more attentive on monitoring you for glucose levels.

My fasting was 14.4 today and 2.5hours after eating I was at 23.8 so this is the highest yet.

I've just been to the doc and she's done all the checks including check for ketones. All clear and no signs of infection BUT my sugars are "very high" on the urine test I was at the highest end of the range on the spectrum and this is 3 hours after eating.

So she's going to get further advice from the Diabetologist at my local hospital - her concern is she doesn't want to interfere and do anything drastic as I'm recovering from an operation but she's also not happy that my levels are this high (and I suppose what could be next). She did mention possible requirement of short term insulin to bring glucose down. She's going to get me a prescription for ketone testing as well.

So waiting on a call before 2pm. My main symptom is still feeling spaced out - I'm drinking loads and going to the loo (but I've been doing that since the op anyway).

Overall I'm not anxious (my blood pressure showed that :lol: ) so I'm just going with the flow until further guidance.

As my husband angrily remarked yesterday, thank god I bought myself a meter and strips (After being discouraged by the nurse).
 
Thanks Ann

well, I've now got a brand new meter and 50 strips (free) as I told the GP I was down to 2 strips.
I've got a tub of Ketone testing urine dip sticks (free).

I've got some pretty specific instructions on what I need to do to monitor and alert - in a nutshell test thrice daily if two readings > 13 and one > 17 then I should test for Ketones. If any, get to the GP or hospital if out of hours.

If no Ketones but if I get readings > 25 each day the rest of this week need to phone GP on Mon.

I've got a follow up Diabetologist appoint next Wed so I suppose this is why they're ok to let me take potential daily hits over 25.

So if anything worth reporting I will. Have you ever had high post op readings?
 
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