I am over 65 years of age, under medication for diabetes, and in good health. What should my optimum diabetes glucose levels be?
Generally, in senior citizens with a diabetic history, a fasting blood sugar reading between 100 and 130 mg/dl is considered to be healthy. Postprandial readings that are less than 180–200 mg/dl are considered appropriate. However, blood sugar readings are highly subject to age, health status, and lifestyle practices of an individual. For a person over the age of 65, with a diabetic history, but in good health, it would be ideal if you could maintain your HbA1c levels at between 6.5 and 7%.
How many elderly adults in the country have diabetes?
Diabetes is considered among the most dangerous of diseases, especially owing to the overconsumption of highly processed foods and sugar additives in food and drinks. According to recent American census data, by 2020, one out of every 6 Americans will cross the age of 65. Of these, as many as 40% are likely to have some degree of diabetes or carbohydrate resistance.
What are the risks posed by low diabetes glucose levels?
As the body’s metabolism and insulin sensitivity change as we age, it is important for attending physicians also to make certain individualized adjustments regarding what would be the optimum diabetes glucose level for each patient, based on his/her current health status and diabetic history. Otherwise, patients may develop hypoglycemia which can be fatal.
How are high diabetes glucose levels treated in the elderly?
The treatment of diabetes in the elderly, especially those who have very high diabetes glucose levels, needs to be done with great care by the physician. While the medications are usually the same, the composition and dosage would vary. The reason is that senior citizens with diabetes are more likely to develop both macrovascular and microvascular comorbidity. Also, if the dosage of medication for hyperglycemia is not closely monitored and adjusted, the elderly are at greater risk of going into sudden hypoglycemic shock.