Type 2 diabetes, blood sugar levels started fluctuating recently between 60 pts and 200 pts per 24 hr. period.

My father has had type 2 diabetes for a few years. What's a good blood sugar level for him to shoot for and sustain. One problem is the fact that his doctor is pretty useless--except that he can prescribe diabetes medication, and dad won't switch doctors. Finding the right med.s and dosage is too. But this last week dad's blood suger levels started fluctuating wildly, as low as 30 and as high as 200, he can't figure out why. His levels have never been lower than 60 nor higher than 140 or so. He has a very good dietary regiment and keeps to it...except on Sun.s he has desert in a fairly moderate amount, but he has always done that and his levels have never been this high, nor have they fluctuated so greatly. I am very concerned and I'd appreciate it greatly if someone experienced in this could clue me into these recent blood sugar fluctuations. What could be going on? Dad's Dr. appts isn't for another 4-6 months, as little help as that might be. Thank you so much.

Some fluctuation after eating a meal is normal, but your dad's blood sugar doesn't seem like it's done that much in the past. Even so, people's "normal" levels and ranges can change with time, and that might be happening here. I would give this one more week to see if his insulin levels even out and the fluctuations stop. If it keeps up, call his doctor and move up the appointment. Something like this shouldn't wait several more months. If his sugar dips to 30 again- take a trip to the ER. A level that low is dangerous. Even if he has recovered quickly before, there's no guarantee he will every time; he could easily bottom out.

As to his doctor- I've seen how *not* easy it is to get an older person to change doctors. Try talking to him and see why he's so adamant about not changing doctors. Also, try calling the office yourself to talk to the doctor (or one of the office nurses- an invaluable liason/tool sometimes). Tell him your concerns, and see if there's a reason he's been treating your father as he has. It could be that he's afraid of insulting a long time patient, or your dad may have forgotten to tell him everything during his previous visits. If Doc doesn't seem responsive to your concerns- or your dad's change in insulin levels- try again (and again, etc) to change doctors. Not doing so could be detrimental to his health. Good luck!~

I just want to thank all of you who took time to help me out with this dilemma. My father has stabilized, but as to what triggered this is still a mystery. Again, thank you. Thumper_2 Report It

Something is changing. You don't mention what his diabetes medications are, so I can't help you, but sugars of 30 are NOT good and will eventually cause him to pass out or die. His sugar might get low and he can't get to any fast enough. He needs to be seen before 4-6 months. I hope that someone is keeping a log of his new glucose levels to show the doctor, if not his regular MD then an ER doctor. He needs to be seen soon.....no joke.

here are-some sights to check out, some have real doctors that will answer your questions,medical doctors.us.com, www target.com , mayo clinic.com , diabetesglucol.com, also a little bit of natural healing for you, Cinnamon does work, i use apples cut up in a zip-lock bag covered in Cinnamon for my snack, the Cinnamon helps control the blood sugar levels, he needs to find new doctor now, if his doctor hasn't explained all this to him, he keeps messing around hell start losing parts-of his body and eyesight, its nothing to fool with, check with hospital, ask about good doctors in your area, good luck to you

The first thing that comes to my mind is an infection. Although 200 is high it is not alarming. The 30 is very alarming. If his Dr.is useless get hime to an urgent care center. I would really want him to be seen in the ER but he might not get that much attention unless his sugar is low like 30, as you say. If that happens again, give him something sweet immeaditly IF HE IS CONSCIOUS.....ALL WHILE CALLING 911! Something is wrong and you need to find out....and the Dr. needs to find what is going on. The sooner the better.

HI
I think it is better to visit the doctor immediatly.

I am glad that you want to help your father.

Glucose levels of 20 and 200 hundred are dangerous and should be taken care of as soon as possible.The body changes and what was a good dosage and/or medication may no longer be adequate. That is why doctors increase dosages and change medications.

You father should be seeing a endocrinologist who is as MD specializing in hormones and diabetes. Call one.make an appointment to see him. Go with your father and tell him that you cannot break the appointment. Emphasize to him that he is not getting a new doctor to replace his present one but is just getting a second opinion.(that is for now). Bring he results of his latest blood tests. if they are not available call the present doctor and have them mail or fax it to your father. They will probably not send it to you.

Keep after your father. His health may be at stake if he continues with his obstinacy tell him that the next time that his blood sugar tests do high or so low that he should go to the hospital. Which he really should especially when it goes as low as anything close to 30.

Good luck and continue to be a good son.