Liver Diabetes

My mother is 66 and a recovering alcoholic for 6 years.  She has cirhossis, and has been hospitalized with bleeding esophageal varicies (she takes inderall and propanonol)and pancreatitis.  In 2003 she was diagnosed with leukemia.  She just finished her chemo last spring.  She recently had a visit for a blood work-up to her general doctor.  Her fasting glucose revealed that her glucose was 137.  Her doctor assumed that she must now have diabetes, and prescribed oral diabetic medication.  I am VERY concerned about this new med, and told my mom not to take the medicine until we see a gastro.  While going through the chemo, my mother had to be hospitalized several times because her body just couldn't handle the toxins.  She also had to have several liters of fluid removed from her abdomen.  I would like to call a gastro office first thing tomorrow morning to take my mother to be seen before she starts this medicine.  I'm concerned that the new drugs would be more harm than good.  Any thoughts on this?  Is a gastro the right choice, or is an endocrinologist a better option?  Thanks so much in advance for any help!

[Upbeat]

80 to 120 is the normal range for blood sugar.  137 is hardly a number worth worring about.

                                                         Ron

[cuteus]

endocrinologist is the specialty dealing with diabetes, the gastro, preferably a hepatologist deals with the liver disease.  hopefully her leukemia is under remission and her liver condition can be stabilized.

[Upbeat]

I find it hard to discuss living with the virus in among so many on TX and I understand how some might take objection. I don't own any stocks and only follow vertex in hope of seeing how the investment community views vx-950's prospect. I like many hope for the best. If there was something that I felt gave be better odds at clearing the virus I would also try and rid myself of the virus. Stay well

                                                      Ron

[ladybug52]

Sorry about your mom. Sounds as if she is fighting a battle with all her health issues.  My Dad has been sick this past year and it's really hard, I feel for you. There is a website that explains blood tests but I think more importantly you need to communicate with a dr. you trust.
Part of the problem with my dad is that he had too many drs. and not enough communication between them.
I think I might be worried too if the dr. started new meds based on one lab result. You would think he would start out with diet changes and education before starting a medication.
What kind of doctor is her primary? I like internal medicine doctors and they can refer to other specialists. Just make sure each knows what the others' plans are. It takes a lot of hard work to navigate through a parents medical problems. I empathise with you and wish you luck. here's a website:
http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/glucose/test.html

[ladybug52]

Let me stir the pot some more, I just had labs done 11/08 and my fasting blood sugar was 104-high per the lab report. 65-99 was the reference range for this lab.
I am not sure why there are so many variables for the same test, only telling you what my report said.

[pigeonca]

137 is well within the criteria for diabetes.  A fasting of over 126 qualifies a person as diabetic.  She needs to know how she responds to various foods.  She will probably need a glucose meter and a new diet and possibly medication.  Diabetes, untreated, can cause major damage to the body.  She doesn't need this if it can be avoided, especially on top of her other conditions.  Best of luck.

[nitramog]

A Hemogloban 1a test ?? double check that name tests blood sugar over A 2 or 3 month period its more accurat overal

[illo]

Hi Lady,

When you get cirrhosis, your liver gets 'harder', and puts
pressure on the veins.  Less blood flows thru them.  Less blood to the pancreas means it will enlarge and won't function as well.

I do know that in a few studies with pine bark, or pycongenol, that it will lower your glucose levels in type 2 diabetes.  It might be worth a try. Pycogenol also protects the liver.  The study was based on taking 200 to 400mg a day.  It's best to break the dose to twice a day.


http://www.google.com/search?q=glucose+pine+bark&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official


http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&hs=WEd&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=pycnogenol+harmful+to+liver&spell=1


Hope this helps.