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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is It Normal To Have Sugar Level Of 500?

I am taking 1000 mg of Metformin, have not taken for a few days and tested this morning with my Contour meter, i had a 500 reading, is this dangerous and what should I do? I havent eaten yet today, but coffee with a little cream? Normally I have a reading of 100 to 120 range in the morning. Thank you
Fri, 25 Jul 2014
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Internal Medicine Specialist 's  Response
Thank you for the query.
I would like to enquire about your age, gender and duration of Diabetes mellitus.
First and foremost, a random blood sugar reading of 500 mg% is definitely not at all desirable. Ideally, your blood sugar should be within 140 mg% (some physicians accept it below 180mg% also), so as you can understand this reading is unacceptable. Secondly, I would like advise you, not to stop your oral anti-diabetic medications randomly. I agree that your blood sugar was maintained in the range of 100-120 mg%, but this was due to the effect of your medications (as mentioned you were on 1000mg of metformin).
I would ask you to consult your treating physician as soon as possible. This level of blood sugar must be immediately addressed. A number of complications like Diabetic ketoacidosis (specially in type 1 Diabetics), Hyperosmolar non ketosis (in type 2 diabetics) and various types of infections can arise. Also if you are persistantly having this level of blood sugar, it can lead to various long term complications, like cardiovascular, retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy.
Presently, you shall need a complete screening of blood sugar (Fasting, post prandial and HbAic). The HbAic ishould preferably be less than 7.5%. Some other investigations like Total leucocyte count (to rule out an infection status) and and blood electrolyte level (sodium, potassium) may be needed. Your current hyperglycemic status has to assessed by your doctor, and drugs need to be administered to bring down your sugar level. Usually Insulin is ideal for this situation, it controls the blood sugar in the acute phase and after that one can revert to oral anti-diabetic agent (but again, your physician should decide this). Drink plenty of fluid, since one may tend to get dehydrated and follow a strict diabetic diet presently. Avoid canned/tinned fruit juices (till all your blood investigation reports are available)
Hope this helps you out.
Regards,
Dr. Ayusmati Thakur
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Is It Normal To Have Sugar Level Of 500?

Thank you for the query. I would like to enquire about your age, gender and duration of Diabetes mellitus. First and foremost, a random blood sugar reading of 500 mg% is definitely not at all desirable. Ideally, your blood sugar should be within 140 mg% (some physicians accept it below 180mg% also), so as you can understand this reading is unacceptable. Secondly, I would like advise you, not to stop your oral anti-diabetic medications randomly. I agree that your blood sugar was maintained in the range of 100-120 mg%, but this was due to the effect of your medications (as mentioned you were on 1000mg of metformin). I would ask you to consult your treating physician as soon as possible. This level of blood sugar must be immediately addressed. A number of complications like Diabetic ketoacidosis (specially in type 1 Diabetics), Hyperosmolar non ketosis (in type 2 diabetics) and various types of infections can arise. Also if you are persistantly having this level of blood sugar, it can lead to various long term complications, like cardiovascular, retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy. Presently, you shall need a complete screening of blood sugar (Fasting, post prandial and HbAic). The HbAic ishould preferably be less than 7.5%. Some other investigations like Total leucocyte count (to rule out an infection status) and and blood electrolyte level (sodium, potassium) may be needed. Your current hyperglycemic status has to assessed by your doctor, and drugs need to be administered to bring down your sugar level. Usually Insulin is ideal for this situation, it controls the blood sugar in the acute phase and after that one can revert to oral anti-diabetic agent (but again, your physician should decide this). Drink plenty of fluid, since one may tend to get dehydrated and follow a strict diabetic diet presently. Avoid canned/tinned fruit juices (till all your blood investigation reports are available) Hope this helps you out. Regards, Dr. Ayusmati Thakur