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Suggest Treatment For Low Blood Sugar Levels In A Type 2 Diabetic
Question: Hi I have diabetes type 2. My sugar was 69 around 10pm. I had a chocolate bar and checked my sugar around 1:00am because I felt shaky. My sugar was at 57. Just had some orange juice and my sugar went to 106 but 10 minutes later it was 90. Is there something wrong? Should I go to the emergency room? I am on glyburide/metformin 2.5/500 2 times a day.
Brief Answer:
Yes
Detailed Answer:
It is not the objective of this forum to guide you through a potential medical emergency.
However when I see a patient in my practice with a similar situation, this is what I advise them:
1 Be vigilant all night long and check your sugars frequently to ensure they stay in the safe range such as 110 to 150.
2 It is even ok to be on the higher side overnight such as upto 200 to 250 considering it is an overnight matter
3 Eat a full meal and not just snacks if you find that your are unable to keep sugars up steadily in the desired range
4 If you are symptoms suggestive of a major low glucose reaction such as disorientation, passing out or seizures then emergency help is necessary
5 A caregiver/spouse/family member needs to keep a watch on you overnight.
6 The glyburide/ metformin combination can cause low sugar reactions. Do not take any further doses until you discuss this with the prescribing doctor.
7 Ask your endocrinologist at the earliest opportunity what exactly needs to be done to prevent this in future. Medication changes is one option. Evaluation may include blood tests to look for conditions that increase the risk for low glucose reactions.
Ask the doctor what you should do if such episodes occur again
Yes
Detailed Answer:
It is not the objective of this forum to guide you through a potential medical emergency.
However when I see a patient in my practice with a similar situation, this is what I advise them:
1 Be vigilant all night long and check your sugars frequently to ensure they stay in the safe range such as 110 to 150.
2 It is even ok to be on the higher side overnight such as upto 200 to 250 considering it is an overnight matter
3 Eat a full meal and not just snacks if you find that your are unable to keep sugars up steadily in the desired range
4 If you are symptoms suggestive of a major low glucose reaction such as disorientation, passing out or seizures then emergency help is necessary
5 A caregiver/spouse/family member needs to keep a watch on you overnight.
6 The glyburide/ metformin combination can cause low sugar reactions. Do not take any further doses until you discuss this with the prescribing doctor.
7 Ask your endocrinologist at the earliest opportunity what exactly needs to be done to prevent this in future. Medication changes is one option. Evaluation may include blood tests to look for conditions that increase the risk for low glucose reactions.
Ask the doctor what you should do if such episodes occur again
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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