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What Causes High Blood Glucose Levels While On Glycomet?

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Posted on Thu, 20 Apr 2017
Question: Dear Doctor,
I wish to ask you very sincerely one question regading diabetes type II.I had diabetes in the year 2012. I am 74 years old .i have been taking Glycomet 500 mg twice daily since 2015 and earlier 250 mg twice daily. My blood sugar levels are alway, fasting below 115 and post lunch below 140. Recently i have consumed sweets for about a month in my tour . after my comming from the tour i have checked the glucose levels which shoot up to fasting level to 125 and post lucn 166 to 180 .Now i have stopped consumming sweets and stopped taking sugar in coffee also. My question is if i ever go to parties, after coming home can i take half of glycomet additionally i.e 250 mg in addition to the dose ,which was taken already after food , does it stop the glucose levels to raise and keep the levels in control levels? what are the latest glucose levels for diabetics by ADA?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Suggestions and explanations

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
I a Dr Mittal. I have read your message.
I think I can help you.

REGARDING YOUR SWEET INTAKE AND MEDICATIONS-
First, the blood sugars is a balance between the intake of sugar and the measures of sugar reduction, including the tablets. So yes, if you are planning to take extra sugar, it is better to take an additional dose of medication. However, it is better to take with the regular dose of medicine, and not separately.

Second, it would always be better to know what you are eating. I mean all sweets are going to have different amount of sugars/calories, and therefore the need of the extra tablet dose would be different each time.

Third, an odd intake of sugar and the tablet is always deleterious to the body and is not advisable. What is more, one should know that the sugars will rise in the body with the extra sweet taken. And this should not be allowed.

Fourth, regarding your one month's sugar intake, the FBS and PPBS is not a perfect measure. This reflects only on what you have had in the last 24 hours. If you really want to know what that month long sugar intake has done, you need to test HbA1C. The ideal HbA1C should be less than 6.5. So I would suggest testing this test before deciding to remove the limitations on your sweet intake, even if occasionally.

Finally, be aware that while metformin (the drug in your brand of medicine) is not known to cause low sugars regularly, the reports are still there where an excess dose would lead to hypoglycemia. In any diabetician/neurologists/physicians opinion, hypoglycemia (low sugars below 60 usually) are much more dangerous.

So overall, your plan is not very advisable.

REGARDING THE ADA GUIDELINES-

They clearly mention that the ideal sugars are close to 100 (fasting) and 110-126 (PP) provided the patient does not have episodes of low sugars/hypoglycemia.

They also recommend keeping a watch on the HbA1C levels as a measure of overall control.

Lastly, most XXXXXXX physicians are now in agreement that the levels of sugars as per ADA may actually be high for Indians considering the western population on an average takes a richer diet. Which overall means that a measure around the said numbers should be very much adherent in Indians whose general diet is much less deficient in calories compared to western population. However, no actual numbers are recommended specifically for Indians as of now.

I have tried to make it as simple as possible. Feel free to contact me for any further clarification that you may need.
Best of luck, Dr Mittal.
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Saumya Mittal

Diabetologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2897 Questions

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What Causes High Blood Glucose Levels While On Glycomet?

Brief Answer: Suggestions and explanations Detailed Answer: Hello. I a Dr Mittal. I have read your message. I think I can help you. REGARDING YOUR SWEET INTAKE AND MEDICATIONS- First, the blood sugars is a balance between the intake of sugar and the measures of sugar reduction, including the tablets. So yes, if you are planning to take extra sugar, it is better to take an additional dose of medication. However, it is better to take with the regular dose of medicine, and not separately. Second, it would always be better to know what you are eating. I mean all sweets are going to have different amount of sugars/calories, and therefore the need of the extra tablet dose would be different each time. Third, an odd intake of sugar and the tablet is always deleterious to the body and is not advisable. What is more, one should know that the sugars will rise in the body with the extra sweet taken. And this should not be allowed. Fourth, regarding your one month's sugar intake, the FBS and PPBS is not a perfect measure. This reflects only on what you have had in the last 24 hours. If you really want to know what that month long sugar intake has done, you need to test HbA1C. The ideal HbA1C should be less than 6.5. So I would suggest testing this test before deciding to remove the limitations on your sweet intake, even if occasionally. Finally, be aware that while metformin (the drug in your brand of medicine) is not known to cause low sugars regularly, the reports are still there where an excess dose would lead to hypoglycemia. In any diabetician/neurologists/physicians opinion, hypoglycemia (low sugars below 60 usually) are much more dangerous. So overall, your plan is not very advisable. REGARDING THE ADA GUIDELINES- They clearly mention that the ideal sugars are close to 100 (fasting) and 110-126 (PP) provided the patient does not have episodes of low sugars/hypoglycemia. They also recommend keeping a watch on the HbA1C levels as a measure of overall control. Lastly, most XXXXXXX physicians are now in agreement that the levels of sugars as per ADA may actually be high for Indians considering the western population on an average takes a richer diet. Which overall means that a measure around the said numbers should be very much adherent in Indians whose general diet is much less deficient in calories compared to western population. However, no actual numbers are recommended specifically for Indians as of now. I have tried to make it as simple as possible. Feel free to contact me for any further clarification that you may need. Best of luck, Dr Mittal.