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what do you classify as "extremely high blood sugar"

letteyc

Active Member
Messages
27
What do you class as extremely high blood sugar, and what level of blood sugar do you usualy start seeing 4 plus ketones?
 
I don't know very much about "extremely high" blood glucose readings, but I would probably be asking for help (NHS Direct if nowhere else) at around the 13 - 15 mark. Meanwhile drink plenty of water to help flush the sugars through your kidneys.

As for ketones - unless you are an extremely low carber, when you can expect to see some ketones in your urine, as a Type 2 I don't think you should be getting them. If you are eating less than about 50g carb a day, some ketones can be expected as your body breaks down its fat for fuel.

If in doubt, ask for professional help. That's what NHS Direct is there for, if you can't get to a doctor or walk-in centre. If you are feeling unwell, get to A&E. Don't be afraid to "bother" them!

Viv 8)
 
+1

If you have high blood sugar and ketones, you should get yourself to the Doctor immediately.

What exactly do you mean by "4"? Is it 4mg/dl on the Ketostix chart?

If you mean the 4th box on the chart, then you need to go straight to A&E.

I was in a similar position, when my GP tested my urine, at my diagnosis meeting and discovered ketones at a concentration of 15mg/dl ("small" on the Ketostix label). I thought nothing of it until I got a call from the Diabetic clinic, asking me to come immediately, and be prepared to be admitted into hospital that afternoon...

Luckily, in my case, the ketones were a result of me "low carbing" (at that stage <30g a day), and their concern eased as soon as they saw that my BG levels were under control (<7 mmol/l). However, they warned me that if my blood sugar went above 15 mmol/l AND I recorded ketones of 80mg/dl or larger then I should go straight to A&E.

The Doctor told me, that they sometimes see patients who fit all the symptoms for T2 but are actually T1. This probably isn't happening in your case, but you need to be very careful.
 
Hi Letteyc,

Everyone is different, but the highest BG I have ever measure is 26. It frightened me half to death! Ketones with high BG is dangerous. Do not put up with it beyond tomorrow. I've read and responded to your earlier post, but I think you need bolus insulin to take with your food. Try to get this sorted before the weekend - you can't go on in the situation you're in for too long. If you get nowhere with your doctor, go to A&E. Please take care and let us know ow you're doing.

Smidge
 
This is from my hospitals protocol for ketones
Check for ketones with a BG above 14mmol,
if ++++ ketones (some strips use this rather than figures) contact doctor (diabetologist) by phone ( I have the out of hours phone number) or go to the hospital immediately.
For ketones below this level the protocol tells me how much insulin to treat at home . I would need far more insulin than normal to treat the ketones and I would be checking every 2 hours. If the levels didn't start to go down within 4 hours I would again contact my doctor.This is straight from my hospitals protocol .

As Smidge has said, if you have this level of ketones you should seek medical advice and not leave it.
 
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