Question:
What can be done if the glycosylated hemoglobin values are
high in 14-year-old Type 1 diabetic? Is it wise to increase the insulin
dosage?
Answer:
Ideally the glycosylated hemoglobin levels should be
below the upper limit of normal for the method used, plus 10%. If they are
above this, you should think of a number of causes. Insufficient insulin is
certainly one of them; but you should also try to think if he doesn't get
enough exercise, if he is eating too much, or if he is subject to some
special stress, at school for instance. To explore all of this fully it
would help to discuss the situation with his doctor or better still with
a diabetic team that includes a nurse educator, a nutritionist and a
medical social worker.
DO'B
Original posting 2 Dec 96