AUTHOR:Edward Shahady, MDEmeritus Professor and Chairman, Family MedicineUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Test Your Knowledge on Diabetes: Finger Sticks
In this “Test Your Knowledge” series, Edward Shahady, MD, asks you to advise a patient about his blood glucose level and use of finger sticks.
Sam is a 65-year-old man with type 2 diabetes of 5 years’ duration. He has responded very well to treatment with metformin and a liraglutide, which have resulted in a 6.8-kg weight reduction and an average hemoglobin A1c level of 6.1% over the past 2 years.
He walks 2 miles a day, 5 to 7 days a week. He has checked his blood glucose levels by finger stick 6 times a week, at various times of the day, the results of which have been consistently 95 to 105 mg/dL fasting and 120 to 130 mg/dL 2 hours postprandially. He has no symptoms of hypoglycemia. His weight is stable.
He wonders why he needs to check his blood glucose level, since the value does not seem to change. How should you advise this patient? Select all that apply.
Better luck next time!
Great job!