Should A Doctor Keep Close Watch Over Me If Diabetes Is Suspected?

Customer Question: Last month, I had a blood sugar test that revealed 17.8 mmol /glucose per liter, after which my GP prescribed Metformin 1000/ three times a day. I will be admitted to hospital on November 26 for further examinations. My problem is, is it normal to be left without surveillance and not being able to measure my blood sugar? I feel quite nervous and lost, could you give me a answer please? Shilpi Agarwal, MD , answered this question Shilpi Agarwal, MD Thank you for your question. I can understand you are feeling quite nervous and confused. Being diagnosed with diabetes and then put on medication can sometimes be very scary. Shilpi Agarwal, MD Generally, after a diagnosis of diabetes, physicians tend to start most individuals on a medication called Metformin (The one you are taking). Usually, they may also prescribe a blood glucose monitor to test your blood sugar. Shilpi Agarwal, MD 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? Customer Yes I did, but he did not find it necessary. Customer He just gave me a letter for the hospital. Shilpi Agarwal, MD He may have felt 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. I believe he may have said this because he wanted you to focus on taking the medication and not worrying so much about the numbers. Did he do a blood test called an Hemoglobin A1c? Customer He gave me a prescription for the blood test before entering the hospital. Shilpi Agarwal, MD 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 Because your number was at 17.8 that is high enough to make a diagnosis of diabetes. I can understand you are worried. I would focus on taking the medication and making a log of what you eat each day and how you feel. Customer What I am worrying about is the result -- 17.8 seems very . Shilpi Agarwal, MD 17.8 translates to a blood sugar around greater than 300. While you are correct in that it is considered high, I would certainly agree with the management of initiating metformin and monitoring you. ehow.com