Gray Fingers and Cold Hands

[Jess's Friend]

I am posting for a friend who has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for less than a year (although she probably had it for way longer). She also has neuropathy in her feet (I think that's what she called it).

She has a problem with her fingers getting very cold and pale. Sometimes it happens when it's cold, but other times it happens when we're sitting inside and it's 70 degrees. When it happened this morning, she checked her blood sugar and it was 330!

She thought she had her BS under control. She's very careful about diet and insulin. She was shocked to see how high her blood sugar was, and it really upset her. She tries so hard to take care of herself.

I have two questions:

1) Is the circulation problem in her hands a symptom of high BS at that time?

2) If she's measuring her carbohydrates carefully and hasn't made any mistakes with her insulin, what other factors might be causing her BS to skyrocket like that?

[jenb]

Your friend's symptoms suggest that she should see her doctor sooner than later. With her BG level so high she will need a correction bolus. Also make sure she drinks plenty of fluids to keep herself hydrated - this will help her BG level come down.


Hard to comment on her why her glucose is so high. What is her insulin regimen, carb intake, etc. Fill in a few more details and members here may be able to offer some suggestions.

I wish her the best. How great that she has a friend like you.

Jen

[yannah]

just throwing this out there - I have raynauds syndrom. the small vessels in my toes and fingers vasospass for no reason.
they turn white or blue or both. not usually a dangerous condition. but for a proper diagnosis, must see a doctor.

[Coppernob]

I agree with Yannah about Raynaud's syndrome being a possibility - my cousin has that and I remember it would turn her fingers blue and kind of "dead" for want of a better word.
As to your friend's blood sugar, I think it would be a good idea to check in with her Dr and describe all that you have told us. However it may be that she is coming down with something and the high BG is a sign. There are so many possibilities without knowing all the facts - that is why she should communicate with her Dr.
I agree with Jen - it is great that Jess has you for a friend. :)

[Jess's Friend]

Thanks for the all the information everyone. I got her blood sugar and insulin information. I hope this makes sense.

She takes:
26 units of Lantus every AM
1 unit of Humolog per 25 carbs right before every meal, and each meas is ~45 grams of carbs

I also looked up Raynaud's syndrome. I don't see any reason to discount the possibility so she's going to bring it up with her doctor next time she goes (she's uninsured so doctor visits aren't as frequent as she'd like them to be).

I should also mention that she's careful to drink lots of water.

[Coppernob]

Can she phone her doctor and bring it to his or her attention that way? Just a thought - the Dr might be able to give her some advice about the high BG.

[genie86333]

Unfortunately, there's *many* things other than carbs that can cause an unexpected high blood sugar - stress, starting to come down with something, certain times of the month, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, even the *aliens* (aka a high reading for no known cause)

I'd have her see the doc as soon as possible because of her fingers & definitely keep a closer eye on her blood sugar. A one time high reading may not be a problem, but something's causing a trend it needs to be checked out.

[sable_032592]

first thing i would have done with a high level like that was wash or rewash my hands to see if i had anything on them... then re-test... if the reading is the same, then something is up... high blood sugars can be caused by many things, including but not limited to an infection...

as i type this, my fingers are frozen to the point where i stop typing and put them under my legs to warm them up, they are usually greyish in color as well, but since i'm seeing the doctor on the 4th for something to do with my blood pressure and pulse problems, my fingers might have something to do with it as well...

a 1:25 insulin to carb ratio is kinda off considering she was so high... i'm at 1:4 and i haven't been higher than 215 in months...

perhaps her lantus dose isn't enough... i take 46 and 42 units everyday of lantus (am and pm)...

if her levels are still high, i would see a doctor or go to the ER right away, she could be in for a DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis)...

her hands being so cold and discolored like that could mean her blood in her veins are starting to crystalize, which means she's headed for a coma... i had that in november of 99 when my level went up to over 990 (55+), my body turned greyish blue and was cold...

she seriously needs to get medical attention...

[Jess's Friend]

Aaaah! !:eek: That's some scary stuff, but she needs to know about it. I will pass it on to her and see if she can call her doctor or get in to see him earlier.

Thank you all very much

[TommyC1]

Aaaah! !:eek: That's some scary stuff, but she needs to know about it. I will pass it on to her and see if she can call her doctor or get in to see him earlier.

Thank you all very much


Bear in mind that stress can also raise her blood sugar.

Tommy