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Pred, Blood Glucose and Meter Readings

Posted , 8 users are following.

jones10939
jones10939

Husband saw Diabetes Specialist Nurse at health centre a week ago when he'd been on 40mg pred pd for about 6wks but she didn't issue a meter and said she would follow-up in 3weeks.

However saw GP shortly after re pred dosage (consultant had died) and she issued a meter and prescription for more strips plus instructions to reduce pred to 30mg over 4 weeks.

Have only managed meter readings for 3 days but the pre-breakfast (i.e. fasting) reading is a fair bit highr than others during day and evening.

BUT he takes his Pred at 5.30. am (wakes up for visit to loo) so thiswould be 3hours befor breakfast so is it likely that the Pred has started to raise the blood glucose levels before he's taken his Glic (after breakfast).

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH jones10939

    Posted

    Honestly don't know - but it is possible that the morning pred is triggering the liver to release glucose which is affecting that reading. It is probably going to be difficult to avoid those spikes - so the Hba1c level will be a better indicator of how well he is controlled in the long run. It's going to be a learning curve - there are a few diabetics on the forum but I don't think I have seen many on here recently besides Michdonn. 

    • jones10939
      jones10939 EileenH

      Posted

      It could be the pred - he did a test when he got up for the loo, before taking the tablets and the reading was 6.7. of course a one-off isn't proof but could be an indication.

    • EileenH
      EileenH jones10939

      Posted

      No - but it does sound as if the theory could be correct! 

      Is he nerd enough to keep a log of the readings on a graph? 

  • Michdonn
    Michdonn jones10939

    Posted

    Jones, I have been a type 2 diabetic for 55 years, currently testing 7 times a day. On a diet that should not raise my Blood Sugar reading. Eat the same breakfast every morning and get different readings day after day. It makes no sense. Look at what causes huge spikes, remove from his diet. Have a snack before bed if reading are high first thing in the morning. BS might be dropping to low while sleeping. Prednisone really makes controlling BS levels very hard and not easy in the first place. The reading are going be erratic, at least mine are. Stay positive, he must be active and try to smile. ☺️
  • rich38490
    rich38490 jones10939

    Posted

    Hi, Jones. I am a type 1 diabetic on insulin pump therapy. I started taking pred August July 10. I check 9x/day. My glucose has been fluctuating pretty wildly, and is only now starting to come into control since I went on a very low carb diet.

    Not sure what a "fair bit higher" is on the meter, but it doesn't sound too bad for the level of pred he is taking. As Eileen said, the A1C reading should give you a better look at any issues.

    Best wishes

  • peggy_56092
    peggy_56092 jones10939

    Posted

    I'm not diabetic but my understanding was that we must take prednisone with food in order to prevent ulcers.

    • Michdonn
      Michdonn peggy_56092

      Posted

      Peggy, I am a diabetic on Prednisone. I always eat before taking Prednisone, that is what I was instructed to do and do, never on an empty stomach. I don't need any more problems. Thinking positive. ??

    • peggy_56092
      peggy_56092 Michdonn

      Posted

      I am concerned because Jones mentions taking prednisone hours before breakfast.
    • jones10939
      jones10939 peggy_56092

      Posted

      There's mention on the forum of 2.am and 4.am - as long as he's not showing signs of gastric problems (on lansoprazole anyway) he'll carry on as he feels so much better when he gets up properly.

      Thanks for your concern.

    • EileenH
      EileenH peggy_56092

      Posted

      Just a glass of milk or a yoghurt is felt to be enough along with pred. Taking it in the middle of a meal is an extra precaution for people who have problems.
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy peggy_56092

      Posted

      On my box of pred my pharmacist has written to be taken with food.
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