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For Healthcare Professionals

Minor illnesses may have major consequences

If you or someone you care for has Type 1 diabetes or is taking insulin, you will probably know that complications may arise if blood glucose levels are too high or too low.

Minor illnesses like catching a cold, tonsillitis and common infections (e.g. ear or urinary tract infections) can place extra stress on your body. During this time, your body may need more insulin to keep blood glucose levels under control. It may be difficult to tell how an illness can affect your blood glucose levels.

Sometimes you may feel terrible, but your blood glucose levels may not fluctuate much. At other times, even minor illnesses can send blood glucose levels soaring. So when you do not feel well, you should test your blood glucose levels frequently.

Why it is important to check your blood glucose level more frequently

The diagram below shows that a rise in blood glucose levels is the first indicator of possible complications when you are feeling unwell (sick days). Although ketone levels may also start rising, blood glucose levels rise earlier and at a quicker rate compared to ketone levels. Therefore blood glucose levels are a better early indicator of possible complications.^1,2

The first important step in preventing a dangerous situation is to test your blood glucose levels more frequently – every 1 to 2 hours during sick days and adjust your insulin levels accordingly.³