Suggest Treatment For High Blood Sugar

Posted on Thu, 16 Oct 2014

Question: I just had my son in the er earlier. He came home with a headache that was on the right side of his head (above his ear). the headache lasts for about 5-10 sec is incapacitating and then goes completely away, and then returns about every 30 min. I checked his glucose level and his b/p, glucose was 507, b/p 150/95. by the time we got to the hospital it went down to 247, and then dropped to 117 (without intervention). blood pressure stayed 150/100. They worked him up for DKA, cardiac workup, (all were negative) hgA1c was also fine. We will follow up with his PCP this week. My question, any ideas on what would cause this? We just saw a Nurse practitioner, she just said to see his PCP. In the meantime, what should I be watching for (symptom wise?) I borrowed a glucose monitor from my father, and will watch his b/p, but his headache remains sporadic and very intense. Do you have any specific questions that I could ask his PCP to guide us in the right direction? (his diet today included: 2 Pancakes for breakfast, quinoa, turkey burger for lunch with a bottle of water, and he didn't eat supper before we went in to the er)

he does not have a history of any health problems.He's not a diabetic and no hypertension prior to this episode. has played as an offensive lineman through high school and 1 year in college (had 2 concussions in one game during college- put him out of football- he had a headache then for about 4-5 weeks. CT was negative.)

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Reasons for high blood sugars

Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concerns.
Transient high blood glucose readings are well reported several times. Stres can ttemporarily increase blood glucose due to release of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. This is often reversible when the stress goes away. But it is a warning that diabetes could come back later in life. However, it is very unlikely that headache has pushed his blood sugar to 507 !!!.

Glucometer is not a reliable tool for diagnosis and it is only for monitoring at home.
I guess, his initial blood glucoe readings of 507 was recorded in a glucometer. Glucometers can show wrong readings for various readings like damaged strips, fingers contaminated with spirit or food etc. Since his Hba1c is normal, please relax. HE MAY REQUIRE A GLUCOSE TOLERENCE TEST at some point of time later once he is better from headache.

It is a good idea to meet an endocrinologist who can examine him and rule out rare disorders which can present with severe headaches and diabetes.

In the mean while, for the next few days, you may use the glucometer at home, but make sure that the code of strip is correct, wash his hand with soap and water and dry them each time before prickiing fingers. If you are usuing alcohol swabs, make sure that fiingers are dry properly before it is pricked.

Regards
Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar