Glucose

During a hypoglycemic event

Treatment

  1. Consume 15-20 grams of glucose or simple carbohydrates
  2. Recheck your blood glucose after 15 minutes
  3. If hypoglycemia continues, repeat.
  4. Once blood glucose returns to normal, eat a small snack if your next planned meal or snack is more than an hour or two away.

15 grams of simple carbohydrates commonly used:

  • glucose tablets (follow package instructions)
  • gel tube (follow package instructions)
  • 2 tablespoons of raisins
  • 4 ounces (1/2 cup) of juice or regular soft drink (not diet)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar or honey
  • 8 ounces of nonfat or 1% milk
  • hard candies, jellybeans, or gumdrops (see package to determine how many to consume)

Glucagon

If untreated, hypoglycemia may lead to severe consequences, such as unconsciousness or even coma. In case of unconsciousness someone else should be ready to take over.

There is a hormone, glucagon, able to stimulate your liver to release stored glucose into the blood. In case your blood sugar level is too low, you may need injectable glucagon kits. These kits are used as a medication to treat somebody who has become unconscious. Your doctor is the one that can prescribe glucagon kits. You may ask him/her whether it would be useful for you to have one home, and if need be, how to use it properly.

If you possess a glucagon kit then you should instruct people with whom you are in frequent contact on how to use it in case it is ever needed.

If glucagon is needed:

  1. Inject glucagon into the individual’s buttock, arm, or thigh, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
  2. When the individual regains consciousness (usually in 5-15 minutes), they may experience nausea and vomiting.
  3. If you have needed glucagon, let your health care provider know, so they can discuss ways to prevent severe hypoglycemia in the future.

Do not:

  • Inject insulin (it will lower blood glucose even more)
  • Provide food or fluids (individual can choke)
  • Put hands in mouth (individual can choke)

During a hyperglycemic event

Treating Hyperglycemia

Your blood sugar level can be lowered by exercising. However there is a counter indication to that. In case your blood sugar level is above 240 mg/dl, you may check your urine for ketones. If you have ketones, you should not exercise. Exercising with ketones is counterproductive, and may make your blood sugar level even higher.

Making changes in your food intake can help as well. Your dietitian can help cutting the amount of food you eat. If exercising and dieting are not enough then your doctor may change your medication or insulin, or even the timing of that.

Work with your doctor to find the safest way for you to lower your blood glucose level.

Hyperglycemia can be prevented with good diabetes management. Another important practice is to learn to detect hyperglycemia early so that you can  treat it before it worsen.

How do I measure my blood glucose? Home blood glucose testing tips

  • Make sure your hands are clean before you begin. Use water rather than wet wipes (wet wipes contain glycerine that could alter the result).
  • Prick the side of a finger – avoid the forefinger and thumb – not the middle, or too close to a nail, because this will really hurt.
  • Use a different finger each time and a different part – this will hurt less.
  • If you don’t get much blood, hold your hand down towards the ground. This should make more blood flow to the fingers.
  • Make sure your hands are warm – if they are really cold it’s hard to draw blood, and finger-pricking will hurt more.

How often should I measure?

Ask your doctor how often you should check your blood glucose. Some people check their blood glucose once a day. Others do it three or four times a day. You may check before and after eating, before bed, and sometimes in the middle of the night.

How to Diagnose Diabetes

There are several ways to diagnose diabetes. Each way usually needs to be repeated on a second day to diagnose diabetes. Testing should be carried out in a health care setting (such as your doctor’s office or a lab). If your doctor determines that your blood glucose level is very high, or if you have classic symptoms of high blood glucose in addition to one positive test, your doctor may not require a second test to diagnose diabetes.

A1C. The A1C test measures your average blood glucose for the past 2 to 3 months. The advantages of being diagnosed this way are that you don’t have to fast or drink anything.

•Diabetes is diagnosed at an A1C of greather than or equal to 6.5%

Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG). This test checks your fasting blood glucose levels. Fasting means after not having anything to eat or drink (except water) for at least 8 hours before the test. This test is usually done first thing in the morning, before breakfast.

•Diabetes is diagnosed at fasting blood glucose of greater than or equal to 126 mg/dl

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (also called the OGTT). The OGTT is a two-hour test that checks your blood glucose levels before and 2 hours after you drink a special sweet drink. It tells the doctor how your body processes glucose.

•Diabetes is diagnosed at 2 hour blood glucose of greater than or equal to 200 mg/dl

Random (also called Casual) Plasma Glucose Test. This test is a blood check at any time of the day when you have severe diabetes symptoms.

•Diabetes is diagnosed at blood glucose of greater than or equal to 200 mg/dl