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Is Treatment Advisable While Having Fasting Blood Sugar Level Of 155?
Question: Should fasting blood sugars between 130 - 155 mg/dl. be treated in an 85 year old who is sedentary and not diet controlled.
Brief Answer:
Diabetes
Detailed Answer:
In general, I would not recommend aim to further lower fasting glucoses in this range, in an 85 year old person, regardless of whether (s)he is sedentary or uncontrolled by diet. I would also consider many other factors such as a blood test result called HbA1c to make an informed decision after discussing the rationale for this approach with the patient.
When I see someone like this individual in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
12 hour Fasting Lipid profile
Urine albumin to Creatinine Ratio (early sign of diabetes affecting the kidney)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
Correct diagnosis and treatment requires the opportunity to examine the patient
Diabetes
Detailed Answer:
In general, I would not recommend aim to further lower fasting glucoses in this range, in an 85 year old person, regardless of whether (s)he is sedentary or uncontrolled by diet. I would also consider many other factors such as a blood test result called HbA1c to make an informed decision after discussing the rationale for this approach with the patient.
When I see someone like this individual in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
12 hour Fasting Lipid profile
Urine albumin to Creatinine Ratio (early sign of diabetes affecting the kidney)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
Correct diagnosis and treatment requires the opportunity to examine the patient
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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