Updated labs showing normal Fructosamine and low BG

[Christina & King Chuck]

King Chuck is seeing a new vet who is much more receptive to reviewing his glucose levels that I take at home. The vet called to say his labs are great, Fructosamine is 192, down from 556 at diagnosis in April. His BG was 66 and the vet suggested taking his insulin down a half unit which I’m aligned with. I took his blood sugar before we left for the vet and he was at 120 so I’m assuming our meter is off? 60 mg/dl is a big difference though. The new vet also said he’s underweight at 12 pounds which is interesting because the last vet said that he was overweight at 11. I feel like every time we go to the vet we get conflicting messages but I’ll take the dose decrease and lower Fructosamine as a win!

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I’m glad you have found a vet who is willing to work with you.
How long after the 120 reading did the vet get the 66? Don’t forget there is meter variance and his meter probablywon’t read exactly the same as yours. I always found a variance between my meter readings and the vet.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

In addition to what Bron posted, some cats will have lower BG numbers with stress. Usually it's the opposite but cats tend to like to be unpredictable just to keep you on your toes. I wouldn't assume your meter is off.

Chuck's spreadsheet looks great. By any chance, was Chuck fighting off any sort of infection back when he was diagnosed? Any infection or inflammation can cause a rise in blood glucose numbers. If he had an infection brewing, it could have easily influenced his fructosamine levels, as well. Given the dramatic change in his numbers, it looks like the infection may have cleared or the insulin is truly doing its job.

 

[Christina & King Chuck]

I’m glad you have found a vet who is willing to work with you.
How long after the 120 reading did the vet get the 66? Don’t forget there is meter variance and his meter probablywon’t read exactly the same as yours. I always found a variance between my meter readings and the vet.

I took his BG about 45 minutes before the vet. We’re going back in l0 days for another Fructosamine and I’m planning to take his BG again to compare

 

[Christina & King Chuck]

In addition to what Bron posted, some cats will have lower BG numbers with stress. Usually it's the opposite but cats tend to like to be unpredictable just to keep you on your toes. I wouldn't assume your meter is off.

Chuck's spreadsheet looks great. By any chance, was Chuck fighting off any sort of infection back when he was diagnosed? Any infection or inflammation can cause a rise in blood glucose numbers. If he had an infection brewing, it could have easily influenced his fructosamine levels, as well. Given the dramatic change in his numbers, it looks like the infection may have cleared or the insulin is truly doing its job.

That's interesting about stress. I’m wondering if that is what happened to him, it was odd to hear he was so low. As far as I know he didn’t have any type of infection at diagnosis. He was borderline diabetic last year, his blood sugar was slightly elevated but his previous vet didn’t tell me that. We found out when we switched vets and they received his report. Prior to his diagnosis he was constantly getting into his brothers food which wasn’t high carb but higher than what he should be on. I know that made him worse. Since starting insulin everyone is exclusively eating tiki cat and Dr Elseys dry kibble. Even after taking his insulin down 1/2 unit last night and this morning he’s at 88 right now. Seems we’re headed in the right direction

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Any chance he had his teeth cleaned earlier in the year? Dental issues cause gingivitis which is a source of inflammation. It's one of the more frequent reasons a cat falls out of remission. Whatever the cause for the higher numbers, Chuck is on th right track now..

 

[Christina & King Chuck]

Any chance he had his teeth cleaned earlier in the year? Dental issues cause gingivitis which is a source of inflammation. It's one of the more frequent reasons a cat falls out of remission. Whatever the cause for the higher numbers, Chuck is on th right track now..

He didn't have his teeth cleaned but his previous vet said his teeth had a lot of tartar build up and if we didn't get it under control he would need a cleaning. The new vet hasn't mentioned his teeth, but it's something I need to bring up next time