Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Ways To Bring Down Blood Sugar Levels
Question: I am a 51 year old woman. I am 5'6" talk and weigh 160. I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant with my 16 year old daughter. It resolved itself after pregnancy and I've had no more problems until now. I bought a glucose meter Friday night. The reading was 379. I began eating right and it's been dropping but I can't get it below 200. I just took it again 2 hours after eating and it's 375. Can this wait until next week? Is it dangerous to the point that I need to go to the er?
Brief Answer:
ER
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry to learn about this newly detected medical condition.
You definitely have developed diabetes, most likely type 2.
At the moment glucoses are quite high. They are high enough to warrant prompt medical care. ER is a good idea.
Once the urgent situation is under control and your glucoses are stable, you can work with your doctor to try and reverse the problem. There is a chance of this happening with appropriate lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, increased physical activity and weight loss (5 to 10%).
In the ER, they will likely run labs in addition to a thorough physical examination, to check if you have a complication of diabetes called DKA (Diabetic Keto Acidosis) or HHS (Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State):
CBC
CMP
HbA1c
Blood gas analysis
Serum Ketones
TSH
Urinalysis
ECG
X ray chest
It is quite possible Insulin injections will be required to lower your glucoses. Later it may be possible to wean you off it, by substituting the insulin with pills
ER
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry to learn about this newly detected medical condition.
You definitely have developed diabetes, most likely type 2.
At the moment glucoses are quite high. They are high enough to warrant prompt medical care. ER is a good idea.
Once the urgent situation is under control and your glucoses are stable, you can work with your doctor to try and reverse the problem. There is a chance of this happening with appropriate lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, increased physical activity and weight loss (5 to 10%).
In the ER, they will likely run labs in addition to a thorough physical examination, to check if you have a complication of diabetes called DKA (Diabetic Keto Acidosis) or HHS (Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State):
CBC
CMP
HbA1c
Blood gas analysis
Serum Ketones
TSH
Urinalysis
ECG
X ray chest
It is quite possible Insulin injections will be required to lower your glucoses. Later it may be possible to wean you off it, by substituting the insulin with pills
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
