What happens when blood sugar gets really high and do I need a blood pressure monitor or blood glucose monitor?

A normal scenario for high blood pressure patients is described below:

For example blood sugar test that revealed 17.8 mmol /glucose per liter. A GP would normally prescribe Metformin 1000/ three times a day. A normal question that is asked by many such patients is I am without surveillance and not being able to measure my blood sugar? I feel quite nervous and lost; could someone give me an answer please?

It is a common feeling of being confused and scared after being diagnosed with diabetes and then put on medication.

Generally, after a diagnosis of diabetes, physicians tend to start most individuals on a medication called Metformin. Usually, they may also prescribe a blood glucose monitor to test your blood sugar.

In some cases, however, doctors do not want to overburden the patient right away and give them a chance to get acclimated to the medication and later suggest using a blood glucose monitor. Did you speak with your GP about using a blood glucose monitor?

Sometimes a GP might feel it wasn't necessary because Metformin is a great medication for diabetics. It has been tested in numerous trials and has been found to help diabetics get under control their blood sugars significantly. Sometimes GP might skip the blood pressure monitor, the reason being because he might want you to focus on taking the medication and not worrying so much about the numbers.

A GP might ask for a blood test called an Hemoglobin A1c?

This is so that he can get a sense of where your diabetes is. Usually a hemoglobin A1c of greater than 6.5 is diagnostic for diabetes. Good control is considered below 7.0 But as per the above mentioned test number was at 17.8 that is high enough to make a diagnosis of diabetes. To get rid of your worries I would focus on taking the medication and making a log of what one eats each day and how one feels. A log can help you monitor a patient’s condition each day.

17.8 translates to a blood sugar around greater than 300. A blood sugar of 300 is considered high, and would certainly agree with the management of initiating metformin and monitoring you.

Another thing recommend if you have high blood sugar is that you make sure you are drinking enough water and also eating foods high in fiber.

Doing this can also help your blood sugar level to stay stable and avoid any spikes or drops in the values. If the diabetes can be well controlled early on a patient is less likely to require insulin.

If a patient feels weak and has difficulty in walking, and also feels a bit dizzy and tired.

If the above scenario happens then patient should be concerned and a possibility of blood sugar being extremely high. This can certainly be dangerous you may need to be evaluated at an urgent care or emergency room to make sure you are not developing complications from having extremely high sugar.

It may be more that your body is adapting to the metformin and your sugar is actually getting lower now. In some cases, individuals experience stomach cramping and diarrhea with metformin. Usually, however, they do not feel an increase in weakness.

If you have lots of diarrhea?

The diarrhea may be worsening with Metformin. If you are feeling confused, increasing dizziness without any improvement, shortness of breath or lethargy you should go to an emergency room to have your sugar checked and be given hydration if necessary. If you are not quite having these symptoms, make sure you stay very well hydrated with water and low sugar liquids and rest.