14.3 finger prick before eating

[AlfiesMum42]

Hi, my partner thinks he may be diabetic we did a finger prick test yesterday and it came back at 14 .3. How much would you panic? Going to try for an appointment tomorrow but if I can't get one could we wait a few days?

I would think a one off finger prick in these circumstances won't mean very much and your partner should do a couple more to confirm the reading & to see if his blood glucose is going up or down. You say he checked yesterday. Has he checked today as well?

What has made him think he is diabetic? Unless he is showing signs of DKA (when I'd be at a&e like a shot) I'd do nothing tonight but would try & see GP tomorrow or go to a walk-in centre if he can't get GP appointment. If you've got a finger prick kit have you got the ketone testing strips?

No ketone strip's
What are symptoms of DKA?

He's just had tea and is sat there sweating!

We thought he had a virus but a month later he's not improved massively though has a little.

His symptoms are
.Exhausted, falling asleep at desk
Lightheaded/dizzy
Feeling sick
Itching sometimes
Was breathless a few weeks ago seems to have improved
Urgency to 💩
Waking at night to go loo several times
Moody
Bloated/burping

If you suspect you have diabetes a GP is the starting point.

If your your partner has a high sugar level going for a walk will bring it down .

How old is he? Is he overweight? If you’re worried I would call 111.

From the Diabetes UK website.

Symptoms of DKA can include:

• being very thirsty
• needing to wee more often
• feeling tired and sleepy
• confusion
• blurred vision
• stomach pain
• feeling or being sick
• sweet or fruity-smelling breath, like nail polish remover or pear drop sweets
• passing out.

If your your partner has a high sugar level going for a walk will bring it down .

Not necessarily, exercise can sometimes increase blood sugar, IME especially if it is already on the high side.

Did you partner wash his hands before doing the finger prick @AlfiesMum42 ? Any sugar on his finger, even potentially from the towel or soap, may have had an effect on the reading.

If you can't get an appointment tomorrow I'd suggest visiting a chemist who can test and advise. If he deteriorates suddenly, 999. DKA isn't to be messed with.

Did he wash and dry his hands first?

It could be diabetes or something like liver or gallbladder, is he jaundiced at all. Is he sweaty now after his tea, has he taken another finger prick test.

Op he needs to go to A&E. 14.1 is very high pre-meal, and I would think from that reading he’s a type 1 diabetic which is a medical emergency and needs treating as soon as possible. I’m type 1 so know these numbers and what they mean inside out, and his symptoms are very suspicious.

I second this that you need to get him to A & E. My husband is type 1, that number is high pre eating

I think he needs to see your GP urgently, OP. I'm type 2 diabetic and my pre meal readings are usually around 5. I can't eat any form of starchy carbs, those send my sugars through the roof.

Yes washed his hands first

What's his reading now

I second what @JackandSallySkellington said. xx

Another who agrees with @JackandSallySkellington.
Type 1 diabetes needs attention urgently, not left until the morning / GP. It could genuinely be life or death.

I should add - my DD is T1 so I’m not over exaggerating.

Won't do another reading, wants to wait to see what doctor says , seems ok at Mi keeping an eye on him .

The GP will say okay let’s book a blood test which will be in a couple of weeks time, few weeks by the time he gets the results

if he has any symptoms of DKA in the meantime he needs to go to a&e

hopefully he either just didn’t wash his hands or it’s type 2. Type 1 at diagnosis would often be in the 20s or 30s

No don’t wait. Can you check his blood sugar again? 14.3 is high enough to cause concern and then his other symptoms are also concerning. My blood sugars were about 18 when I went to a walk in clinic and I got sent straight to A&E with DKA. I’m type 1 diabetic. I would check it again and if it’s around 10, call 111. If it’s around 15, I’d go to A&E straight away. Best of luck

I agree with this.

This is the advice to follow OP.
50% of my household is T1 Diabetic. Get your partner to A&E. If a person with T1D doesn't have access to insulin things can go downhill very quickly.

OP you really need to insist he does it again this evening to see what it is saying now. I’d also test yourself to check the machine isn’t doing something weird.

I did try get him to do it again but he refuses. Did mine yesterday after her did his mine was 4.9 so machine was ok.

He needs A+E tonight.

What’s his reason for refusing? There is a chance he could be seriously unwell and it only takes a minute to check.

Has he lost weight recently? Does his breath smell sweet? Is he very thirsty all the time? Is he bursting for the loo when he goes in the middle of the night? Has he been craving sweets/carbs more than normal? Does his wee seem sticky and make it itchy down there? Has he been feeling more lethargic than normal recently? If yes to any of these, they are all warning signs of DKA.

If his blood sugar is very high on testing again, you won’t be waiting around at A&E. They will want to deal with him asap. He will need insulin.

Please try to get him to test again