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Short-term Diabetes 2???

R

Riley

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Family member
Treatment type
Insulin
My brother, age 66, was diagnosed with Diabetes 2 about 6 weeks ago. His blood sugar at the time was over 600, and he had the usual symptoms. He was hydrated in the hospital and sent home with long and short acting insulins. His glucose levels have been lowering, and the doctors have been decreasing his insulin dosage. My brother was often experiencing low blood glucose at home. For the past 2 days, my brother has stopped taking his insulins, but he is still checking his glucose levels, and he says they are within the ranges the doctor gave to him. He has drastically changed his eating habits to stay under 75 carbs/day. My question is "could he have experienced short-term diabetes 2?" Although his blood glucose is within normal limits the past 2 days, he says he is urinating a lot.
 
Hello and welcome.

I don't believe there is such a thing as short term diabetes. Sadly, once a diabetic, always a diabetic. My view is that we may get our blood sugar levels down to the non-diabetic range, and maybe classed as "in remission" by some people, but that doesn't mean we can start eating certain foods in the portion sizes and quantities that non-diabetics can eat otherwise those levels will go up again and we'll be back where we started. We may be able to reduce our medication, or even come off it altogether, but will always be battling to keep it like that.

What are the levels of "in range" that the doctor gave him? What do you call "normal limits"?
What units were his 600, and what sort of test did he have?
 

Thank you for responding. I just spoke with my brother, and his doctor wanted his blood glucose levels between 70-140. My brother also just told me he isn't urinating as frequently--that lasted for about 1 1/2 days after he stopped taking insulin. Now he is in his fourth day, has continued to watch what he eats, has continued to check his glucose levels pre and post meals, and it ranges from low 100's to 131, so far.

Another significant factor occurred about 2 weeks before his diagnosis. He and his wife had eaten some tainted food in a restaurant, and they both were terribly sick. His wife recovered after 3 days, but it took my brother about a week and a half. He said he was the sickest he had ever been in 20 years. Do you think there is any correlation between his food poisoning and the diagnosis? Thank you very much.
 
Hi,

I agree with everything that @bluetit said.

Thanks for the extra info about the food poisoning. Yes, that can make a difference to blood glucose levels in diabetics. Most of us (diabetics) experience raised blood glucose when we have an infection, whether it is a cold, a skin infection or tummy upset. So that could well have affected his high levels at diagnosis, driving them higher than they would be otherwise.

But I think it is very unlikely (probably impossible) that a non diabetic would have such high BG, even with food poisoning!

There are several type 2s on these forums that have dramatically reduced their medication due to reducing their carb intake. Which is great. But I'm afraid that doesn't stop them being diabetic.

What happens when your brother eats a higher level of carbohydrate? Do his glucose levels rise out of his target range?
 
It is certainly true that illness, bugs, viruses etc do make our blood sugars rise, and often quite significantly, although as this hasn't happened to me personally (touch wood) I can't say how long after recovery they go down again. I would have thought quicker than the 2 weeks you mention, but others may know better than me.

It is difficult to help you without knowing what sort of test your brother had when he was diagnosed. His 600 was way off the scale. Was it a simple blood glucose test taken randomly, was it fasting, was it a 2 hour test after a sugary drink, was it the normal HbA1c test that averages BS levels over the previous 3 months? You are obviously not in the UK judging by the units you mention, so things may be different where you are.
 

Thank you so much for your input. So far, my brother has limited his carbohydrates to the level of 75/day. I am going to share with him all the information I receive on this wonderful website. Thank you again.
 


No, I am in Madison, Wisconsin. The >600 glucose was a random test taken in the doctor's office upon an emergency-type appointment. His HbA1c level was 12. Good point about the HbA1c level--that would indicate he had high blood levels over the past 3 months, and not in response to his illness. He is due back for another HbA1c level in October. Thank you for your input.
 
Hi. Yes, illness will cause a blood sugar rise. After my recent surgery I had to increase my Basal (and Bolus ratio) by about 30% for a few weeks. 70mg/dl blood sugar would be amazingly low and 140 a bit too high.
 
Ah thank you. That HbA1c level puts him fairly and squarely as a diabetic. 6.5 and above is diabetic.

He is doing right to reduce his carbs in the way he has. Does he know the worst culprits are potatoes, bread, rice and pasta, and that care needs to be taken with fruit and milk?

Keep posting on here if you have any questions. I wish your brother luck.
 

I am so impressed with everyone's responses. As I said, I am going to share everyone's thoughts with him. Thank you!
 
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