Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Elevated Blood Sugar Levels While On Lisinopril-HCTZ, Atorvastatin And Clopidogrel?
Question: About a year back I was put on the following drugs with a daily dosage (Lisinopril-HCTZ, Atorvastatin and Clopidogrel). A recent lab test showed high glucose levels and the possibility of diabetes (more testing to come in a bout 1 month). Could any of these drugs be contributing? If so, should I continue to take?
Prior to this my BG was always within normal levels.
Prior to this my BG was always within normal levels.
Brief Answer:
Continue with the same treatment until you confirm diabetes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using Healthcaremagic to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.
From the drugs you are using Hydrochlothyazide (the HCTZ part in combination with Lisinopril) is preferred to not be used in diabetes.
Anyway, my advise is to continue taking the same medicines, until you confirm the diabetes and decide together with your doctor what treatment are you going to take. Then you will adjust this changes together.
Glad to hear that you have decided to start on the diet. I would better recommend to eat healthy rather then doing a drastic diet, because the stress that a drastic diet has for the body is high and you may not be able to hold it for a long time enough as you may need. While, eating healthy and making it part of the lifestyle is the best possible way to lose weight - slow but steady.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Continue with the same treatment until you confirm diabetes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using Healthcaremagic to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.
From the drugs you are using Hydrochlothyazide (the HCTZ part in combination with Lisinopril) is preferred to not be used in diabetes.
Anyway, my advise is to continue taking the same medicines, until you confirm the diabetes and decide together with your doctor what treatment are you going to take. Then you will adjust this changes together.
Glad to hear that you have decided to start on the diet. I would better recommend to eat healthy rather then doing a drastic diet, because the stress that a drastic diet has for the body is high and you may not be able to hold it for a long time enough as you may need. While, eating healthy and making it part of the lifestyle is the best possible way to lose weight - slow but steady.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you for replying. My question was about the drugs I am taking causing glucose level changes. That is the research I am looking for. Can you comment on this regarding the Lisinopril and the other two medications and confirm they are not known to cause glucose levels to rise? What are better alternatives to Lisinopril?
Also, can you tell me why "the HCTZ part in combination with Lisinopril" should not be used with diabetes. My intention is to make sure I do not have diabetes and if so find ways to reverse it without being on medication. Are there any natural supplements that I can take to improve health and balance these types of conditions?
Thanks,
Also, can you tell me why "the HCTZ part in combination with Lisinopril" should not be used with diabetes. My intention is to make sure I do not have diabetes and if so find ways to reverse it without being on medication. Are there any natural supplements that I can take to improve health and balance these types of conditions?
Thanks,
Brief Answer:
HCTZ causes hyperglicemia
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up question.
So, what I was saying is that from the drugs you mentioned HCTZ (which is an abbreviation of Hydrochlyrthiazide) is a drug which induces hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) by reducing total-body potassium, decreasing insulin secretion and increasing insulin resistance. The other ones do not cause high blood sugar.
The best way to keep diabetes under control in this stage is by losing weight in a healthy way.
If you lose weight, you will decrease blood pressure significantly and if blood pressure is well controlled the diabetes can be kept under control- eat lots of fruits and vegetables, avoid greasy and processed foods, exercise daily, calculate calories to eat more then 1200 calories but less then what you spend. A healthy loss of weight is 1-2 pounds per week.
The diabetes cannot be reversed, but it surely can be kept under control for many years until medications are needed, and even more until insulin injections are needed.
About your question if there are better alternatives then Lisinopril, I would say that it is a very good medication. It surely can be substituted with others if it is not controlling your blood pressure, or if it is giving you side effects. But, what it is better to be substituted with, will depend on your history of high blood pressure treatment and your general health.
I hope I have addressed all your questions and in a clear way.
Let me know if otherwise.
Kind regards,
Dr. Papaqako
HCTZ causes hyperglicemia
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up question.
So, what I was saying is that from the drugs you mentioned HCTZ (which is an abbreviation of Hydrochlyrthiazide) is a drug which induces hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) by reducing total-body potassium, decreasing insulin secretion and increasing insulin resistance. The other ones do not cause high blood sugar.
The best way to keep diabetes under control in this stage is by losing weight in a healthy way.
If you lose weight, you will decrease blood pressure significantly and if blood pressure is well controlled the diabetes can be kept under control- eat lots of fruits and vegetables, avoid greasy and processed foods, exercise daily, calculate calories to eat more then 1200 calories but less then what you spend. A healthy loss of weight is 1-2 pounds per week.
The diabetes cannot be reversed, but it surely can be kept under control for many years until medications are needed, and even more until insulin injections are needed.
About your question if there are better alternatives then Lisinopril, I would say that it is a very good medication. It surely can be substituted with others if it is not controlling your blood pressure, or if it is giving you side effects. But, what it is better to be substituted with, will depend on your history of high blood pressure treatment and your general health.
I hope I have addressed all your questions and in a clear way.
Let me know if otherwise.
Kind regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
