High Vairance in Blood Sugar levels

[Primalw]

Dear Sir,

My mother is 50 yrs old and first diagnosed with Diabetes three years ago and was under treatment all the time. Recently (few months back) she experienced her sugar level in around 230 (Fasting) and had to take new medicine. After that now the fasting blood sugar is somewhat OK. but the random blood sugar level still goes around 200 occasionally. The worse thing is now once in a week or two, her blood sugar level drops to around 50. When such a drop happens, she feels fainted and lot of sweat comes out. Today when we checked the sugar level it was 44 and then she took some sweets. As I know such a huge drop is not good at all. Isn't it ?

What could be the reason for this ? What are the precautions that we should take to overcome this?

Thank you and Regards,
Primal

[Primalw]

Thank You very much for your reply,

As I mentioned above, she was given new medicined once she experienced high blood sugar level few weeks back. She was given Metformin (850 mg) and Pioglitazone (30Mg per day). Once she started experiencing low blood sugar level, the doctor stopped giving Pioglitazone and asked to continue Metformin with few other medicines and the my mother was told that she experiencing such low levels of sugar due to Pioglitazone.

But the case is even after she stopped taking Pioglitazone , still she is getting such low levels. She took Pioglitazone for about 3 weeks. Now when we consulted the doctor he said, effects of Pioglitazone is still there in her body thats the reason why she is still getting that and nothing to worry.

But we feels that, there is something else. Could it be for Pioglitazone or can there be another reason for this ?

Thank You and Regards,
Primal

[Anita Ramsetty, MD]

Hello,
You are certainly right to be concerned. While keeping blood sugars under control is a goal keeping you mom safe is also very important do the cause of the hypoglycemia needs to be figured out. I unfortunately cannot figure it out on this forum, you will likely need to speak with her doctor. The reason is that her pattern of daily activity, eating and medications needs to be looked at to see where the cause lies. Since she has highs mixed in with the lows, it may be related to the timing of the medication related to eating, the specific dose used at the time etc, so this will need to be looked at closely.Make an appt to see her doctor as soon as possible. In the meantime, keep checking blood sugars regularly(and recording them), eating normal sized meals on time, and keep glucose tabs(or gel or candies) in easy reach in the house and the car. Your Mom should not drive until this is figured out, for her safety and others'.

Take care