High blood glucose level even after taking insulin

by Lulu

QUESTION: Hello Doctor,

I have a relative that has a high blood sugar that isn't going down even after taking insulin. This has been for couple of days now and still has not seen a doctor since his doctor is on leave.

If it stays like this, then an immediate action needs to be done? What could that be? Increasing the insulin shots?

He also has been lately very pale, should we be concerned or is it just fatigue?

Any check up would you highly recommend for the time being?

It would be highly appreciated if you can provide me with your medical advise.

Thank you.


ANSWER: Hi Lulu,

I am very concerned about your relative high blood sugar level even after taking insulin. There are 3 possibilities:

1- The dose of insulin should be increased because the actual dose is not working.

2- Your relative is not keeping up with his/her diabetic diet and lifestyle. Therefore, he/she should work more on that.

3- The thing that concerns me more is that your relative is pale and fatigue. It could be from persistent high blood sugar levels.

But, I think his/her liver is damaged or/and any hepatitis or other liver disease is present. However, go to ER to check his liver, and eyes (usually liver diseases make eyes turn yellow).

Do not wait for his doctor but run to ER!

All the best to you and your relative!

Dr.Alba

What is the normal blood sugar level after high carb meal?

QUESTION: I want to know the level of blood sugar when I eat a meal high in calories and carbohydrates.


ANSWER: First of all you have to know that the normal value of the blood sugar is between about 3.5-6.1 mmol/L.

The exact level of the blood sugar is changing regarding the exact time of the day and the outside conditions like stress, temperature, humidity and others.

There is a certain curve which indicates when the level of the blood sugar increases during the day and when decreases.

The blood sugar level normally is elevated after a meal no matter it is low or high carb. But the level of the blood sugar increases correspondingly to the amount of carbs. When you are having a meal with lots of carbs your blood sugar level will be elevated.

As I already said the normal level of the blood sugar is between 3.5-6.1 mmol/L (63-110 mg/dL) and when you are taking a high carb meal your blood sugar level don’t have to surpass 6.1mmol/L.

If the level of you blood sugar is more then 6.1 after or before a meal that means that you have some metabolic problem related with the insulin secretion.

You have to know that when the level of the blood sugar is high the amount of the insulin in your blood is low and the contrary.

However, some doctors recommend that normal blood sugar level after high carb meal should not surpass 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL); while the American Diabetes Association (ADA) advises the level should not exceed 10 mmol/L (180 mg/dL).

Dr. Alba

Diagonised Diabetics Type II, PPBS 656 ml/dl

by Mini Samraj
(India)

QUESTION: My PPBS is 656 ml/dl. i am 47 years old women. Deducted Diabetis type II?

ANSWER: Hi Mini,

Your PPBS is very very high, meaning that you might have diabetes type 2. However, I would like to have your fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test results and A1C to fully determine Diabetes.

Therefore, ask your doctor for all these tests for better diagnose. With regards to what you can do to stabilize your post-prandial blood sugar, please:

- cut off the amount of foods high in carbohydrates (i.e. those with high glycemic index).

- have your meals more often than usual, but in small portions.

- prepare home-made foods with less oil, no fried foods. Use more olive oil, baked foods.

- Keep exercised, avoid sedentary life.

- Try to have dinner at least 4 hours before bedtime.

- Certain herbs are very good to lower blood sugar. As you are in India, it would be easier for you to find them.

The most important thing for you to do is to fully diagnose diabetes through the help of the above-mentioned tests.

Once you are diagnosed a diabetic, please be in close contact with your doctor for further assistance.

Please keep in mind that my advice is only a distant one in lack of your medical data.

All the best!

Dr.Alba

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