Surgery Can Raise Blood Glucose
| Author: Judy Kohn, RN, BSN, CDE |
| Last Updated: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 |
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?"
A: It is actually very common for blood glucose to go out of control during and after surgery. Any type of illness, infection, stress (emotional or physical), surgery, dental problem, injury, etc. will cause stress on your body. When this occurs, your body needs more energy to "fight" this stressor, so it releases hormones (they're called "counter-regulatory hormones") that tell the liver to release extra glucose to provide this energy; these hormones also inhibit the effect of insulin--which means you become somewhat insulin resistant. As a result, blood glucose rises, and typically an insulin-requiring person will need more insulin during and after the illness or surgery. In fact, some diet and/or pill controlled people with diabetes often require insulin during surgery and for a short time afterward, due to the above mentioned effects.
Depending on the extent of the infection, surgery, or complications that arise after surgery, your blood glucose can be more difficult to control for awhile. The endocrinologist you are going to see should be able to help you control your diabetes.
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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