Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia or High Blood Glucose (Sugar) means that there is too much glucose circulating in the blood. Fasting hyperglycemia is blood glucose above a desirable level after you have fasted for at least 8 hours. Postprandial hyperglycemia is blood glucose above a desirable level 1 to 2 hours after the start of a meal. Hyperglycemia is present not only when diabetes is diagnosed, but also it can recur from a variety of causes, such as illness, stress, or surgery. For more information on Hyperglycemia, please review the related questions below.
Questions
Q: "I have been a very well controlled insulin dependent diabetic for over 25 years. I recently had surgery. Since then, my diabetes is very hard to control. I am taking twice the amount of insulin yet my sugar levels are not as they were before the surgery. I now have an appointment to see an endocrinologist. Are you aware of any metabolic change that would impact insulin effectiveness as a result of going through surgery?"
Sick Days
Q: "I had been given a pre-printed page with sick day guidelines on it shortly after I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The guidelines seem to be more geared to type 1, so I have several questions:
Infection Can Raise Blood Glucose
Q: "I am taking amoxicillin for an infection and my blood sugar readings have suddenly gone up a lot, 172 this morning and 202 this afternoon. Can the antibiotic cause false readings or raise blood sugar?"
Cortisone Can Raise Blood Glucose
Q: "I am getting a very high reading from my meter after receiving a steroid (i.e. cortisone) injection in my spine for a disc problem. I wondered if this is a true reading or elevated because of the steroids. I am 62 years old and have type 2 diabetes which is usually well-controlled with oral meds. My last A1C test was about 6. My meter hasn't been checked since I got it but my wife’s meter is also reading my glucose higher than usual."
Important Notice: The responses provided by the team of Diabetes Educators are based on their personal experiences and expertise as practicing diabetes healthcare professionals, and are not to be considered diabetes management advice from Abbott Laboratories. Remember that information provided by the team of Diabetes Educators is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.
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