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How To Monitor Blood Sugar Level
Question: My husband is currently taking metformin 500mg twice daily, and is on prednisone 2.5mg. Today his pulmonary MD raised his prednisone to 15mg for 3 days, then start a taper. Also pres ribed abx for respiratory infection. He has COPD and on 2liters O2. I know his blood sugars will jump. I haven't been able to contact his PCP. I need to know if I can use a sliding scale. I have humalog on hand from his last hospitalization.
Brief Answer:
Monitor the blood glucose readings first!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am happy with your level of understanding of the management of diabetes and anticipation of what the possible consequences of prednisolone increase would be on the blood glucose values of your husband. Using a sliding scale is good to get great blood glucose control but, until we document an increase that warrants tight control, I will not want to do this.
For now, monitor the blood glucose numbers closely. If there is a big increase in the numbers, I will encourage you to use a sliding scale. Remember, the goal of treatment in your husband is not to have strictly normal blood sugars but to keep them in a safe range where hypoglycemia is less likely to occur. I would not be very much worried if the average blood sugar numbers of your husband were to be around 140mg/dl in a fasting state.
For now, monitor blood glucose 4times daily. If the numbers go beyond 140 for fasting or 200 after meals, let me know and we would make the decision on how to correct this then. I will not make that decision without concrete information suggesting its need.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications should need be.
Monitor the blood glucose readings first!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am happy with your level of understanding of the management of diabetes and anticipation of what the possible consequences of prednisolone increase would be on the blood glucose values of your husband. Using a sliding scale is good to get great blood glucose control but, until we document an increase that warrants tight control, I will not want to do this.
For now, monitor the blood glucose numbers closely. If there is a big increase in the numbers, I will encourage you to use a sliding scale. Remember, the goal of treatment in your husband is not to have strictly normal blood sugars but to keep them in a safe range where hypoglycemia is less likely to occur. I would not be very much worried if the average blood sugar numbers of your husband were to be around 140mg/dl in a fasting state.
For now, monitor blood glucose 4times daily. If the numbers go beyond 140 for fasting or 200 after meals, let me know and we would make the decision on how to correct this then. I will not make that decision without concrete information suggesting its need.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications should need be.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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