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Suggest Treatment For Severe Abdominal Pain And Constipation In A Diabetic
Question: my fiance is 71 and a diabetic. He is experiencing stomach pain and constipation and his blood sugar level is spiking. His readings over the past 36 hours have been 383, 106, 293, 192 and this morning after his shot it went back to 107. He has been diagnosed with diverticulitis come years ago. Since it is a holiday weekend his doctor's office is closed - I'm not sure what to do - wait until he can see is regular doctor on Tuesday or take him to the emergency room. He doesn't seem to be sick enough for emergency treatment.
Brief Answer:
Emergency Room
Detailed Answer:
On an online forum such as this one it will be hard to assess whether this is genuinely an emergency.
So it is best to seek urgent care.
Sorry to learn about his bothersome symptoms. When I see someone like him 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 so you must see an endocrinologist in-person.
Regards
Emergency Room
Detailed Answer:
On an online forum such as this one it will be hard to assess whether this is genuinely an emergency.
So it is best to seek urgent care.
Sorry to learn about his bothersome symptoms. When I see someone like him 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 so you must see an endocrinologist in-person.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
he really doesn't want to go to the emergency room. If his symptoms stay about the same can he wait until Tuesday to see his regular physician?
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
It is not possible to give such guidance on an online forum. Without examining him physically it is unsafe to make any judgement
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
It is not possible to give such guidance on an online forum. Without examining him physically it is unsafe to make any judgement
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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