glucose elevated….

[Tommyj2]

been on Abi eligard and prednisone for 18 months now…..glucose had been in normal range but most recent was 163……should I make arrangements to start taking an anti diabetic agent or wait to see if a couple more readings are in this range? Those of you who have elevated glucose from these drugs what are you doing?

[Grandpa4]

is that a fasting glucose? Glucose normally goes up after a meal or snack depending on the food taken in. If it is fasting it would be concerning. A much better test is a hemoglobin A1c. Thus would tell you want your average glucose level is over the last 3 months. . We define diabetes as a 6.3 and above. Number between 5.5 and 6.3 being prediabetes. In that range aerobic exercise and weight loss can fix the problem. When I was on abiraterone and prednisone my hemoglobin A1c was 5.7. It normalized when I came off the drugs and was able to lose 5 lbs.

[dk73]

when my husband was on zytega and prednisone his glucose numbers and A1C was elevated too. His family doctor wanted him off the prednisone but did not put him on meds. But he’s on prednisone right now with Jevtana and numbers are fine

[Tommyj2 in reply to dk73]

A1C looks to be in the cards……

[SteveTheJ]

IMHO no. I've been diabetic for 20+ years. The only reliable test for diabetes is hemoglobin A1C, which is a fasting test. Ask your doctor to schedule one of those. And again, IMHO, there is no such thing as "pre-diabetes". You're either diabetic (above 6) or you're not. And if you're not, just make changes to your diet as appropriate.

Diabetes is far more survivable than cancer. You'll probably do well for many years with diabetes so don't sweat it.

[Tommyj2 in reply to SteveTheJ]

Thanks for your advice and opinion….A1c is a good idea.

[SteveTheJ in reply to Tommyj2]

Sure, lmk if something else comes up. Contrary to what you might think, not everybody needs insulin; i've never taken it. Diabetes can be managed pretty well. Another thing that might complicate things a bit is that ADT can (but doesn't necessarily) reduce your thryoid gland function, and low thyroid can make your blood sugar go high. I just about doubled the amount of Synthroid I took after ADT started.

(Before cancer, I was diabetic and had low thyroid function, so ADT didn't cause either of those things.)

[hopefull99]

Yes, if the glucose numbers are real (fasting) should also get A1C as a reference and get started in diabetes meds.

I was in the same situation and got into trouble with my left eye ... fortunately cataract surgery circmvented the problem.

I asked my oncologist why they don't start everyone on diabeted meds when on hormone therapy and susceptible to diabetes ... the answer was "that's a good question"

[Tommyj2 in reply to hopefull99]

Thank you for taking the time to respond….how did cataract surgery circumvent the problem?

[hopefull99 in reply to Tommyj2]

The lens of my left eye was damaged enough from some severe glucose spikes, such that I could not get a glasses prescription that worked properly.

Cataract surgery replaces the eye lens so that problem is solved for me.

While cataract surgery is a simple and effective procedure, other problems (eye as well as cardiovascular problems) can occur with high glucose numbers, so you absolutely should manage the situation.

[Bigmaristuff]

I have had success with a low carb diet. I eat less than 50 grams of carb per day and my fasting glucose now hovers around 106-120.

[Tommyj2 in reply to Bigmaristuff]

Thank you for weighing in on this….

[Seasid]

My medical oncologist recommend me to take Metformin for the cancer. I am taking 3 times 500 mg slow release form of Metformin. I think they call it extended release tablets. Of course consultant your doctor. Above 1.7 g per day is not recommended because it could cause lactic acidosis.

[Seasid in reply to Seasid]

My first oncologist recommend to lower my sugar intake, but I am eating hunny and everything normal. I don't have diabetes but I should be careful.