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When to seek medical help. High readings.

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ClaireG 06

Well-Known Member
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Location
Corby Northants
At what level should you seek medical help?

A little background to help you understand my question! Just before Christmas i was admitted to hospital with DKA, putting on sliding scale insulin etc until i was stable. Then put on Gliclazide which i'm now on max dose of. I can't tolerate Metformin unfortunatly. Then last Sunday i was admitted to hospital again as i kept being sick and had probs with my BG levels and found i also had very high BP. Was discharged on the monday with pain killers and anti sickness meds and then also put on antibiotics on the Tues which i finished yesterday. Also am waiting to see maxo facial specialist as have alot of teeth problems that the hospital thought was causing the sickness as am in pretty much constant pain.

Anyway, i saw the DN at my Drs surgery on Thurs and she said my BGs were high due to tooth infection and that if my next HbA1c is high she will think about starting me on insulin. She also said not to worry about my BG levels unless they wen't very high consecutively and i felt really ill, but didn't tell me what she meant by very high :roll:

Have had pretty much constant high readings.
Today so far 12.2 fasting, 15.5 2hrs after breakfast which was greek yoghurt with a few blueberries.
Yesterday 10.7 fasting, 14.6 2hrs after breakfast, 10.1 before lunch, 9.9 two hrs after, 11.2 before dinner, 16 2hrs after and 14.7 when i went to bed.

Am in pain despite codeine and paracetamol and feel sick despite anti sickness meds. Was actually sick a few times yesterday. Have tried ringing Drs but the DN isn't in until Thurs and i can't get a Drs appointment.

What would you say consitutes high enough readings etc to need help?
 
Hi,

Personally i stick to these rules..

Any reading over 13 i check for ketones. If these are positive i have sick day rules where i take 10% of my total daily dose of insulin to try help get rid of them, i also drink alot of water to flush ketones on glucose out of my system.

If i can't seem to get rid of them, and they are climbing instead of falling and i feel poorly then i will seek medical help.

I know it may be different as you are on different medication, but i didn't want to leave your post unanswered.

Have you told the recptionist that you need an emergency appointment? By no means do i mean to be derogatory to receptionists but they usually won't give appointments unless you convince them it's urgent, well that's what mine are like!

If you feel ill, faint, or are physically sick or have bad stomach pains i would advise you seek help ASAP as this can indicate ketones.

If your worried call NHS direct and they will advise you.

Remember it's always better safe than sorry and i'm sure everyone would agree it's better to go to a&e if your not sure.

Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated whilst your BG's are running high.

Hope you get things sorted.
 
Thanks :D As i am type 2 i have nothing to test ketones. Yes, i explained to the receptionist and she said she couldn't get me in till Thursday :roll: My bloods have fallen a bit now but are still high. If they rise again or i have anymore problems i will phone NHS Direct.
 
ClaireG 06 said:
Thanks :D As i am type 2 i have nothing to test ketones. Yes, i explained to the receptionist and she said she couldn't get me in till Thursday :roll: My bloods have fallen a bit now but are still high. If they rise again or i have anymore problems i will phone NHS Direct.
Click to expand...

Maybe if you can get in at the DR's they can give you something one off to keep an eye out for ketones, i'm not sure how fast you would develop them as it can be very fast with T1.

As i said before drink lots of water and fluids and it may help flush glucose out of your system.

Definately call them if you feel worried at all.
 
A pharmacist will sell you a tub of 50 ketostix urine testing strips for c.£7-8 if you can't get any on prescription or need them quickly. As Ebony321 says, your GP will also do a test for you. When I was ill with high sugars and positive ketones the GP saw me twice the same day and tested me both times before referring me to hospital. I'd definitely consider pushing for an emergency appointment if you're worried. Also drink tons of (sugar free) fluid.
 
Thanks Russ. I will see if i can get some ketosticks from the chemist. Am drinking as much sugar free squash and water as possible which is fun as i'm having to do a 24hr urine test today!
 
Hi all, I test for keytones when my BS readings above 18 , also if my BS readings go above 27 I have to go to the hospital. Any help? Anna.x
 
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