Afternoon Appointments

Insulin treated patients

 ● On the day before the examination when you are not permitted solid food, more carbohydrate rich drinks and monitor your blood glucose regularly. Halve your teatime dose of insulin. 

● Ensure endoscopy is aware that you have insulin treated diabetes so you may be given an appointment near the beginning of the list. 

● Have a suitable drink equivalent to 20 gm carbohydrate (see above) to avoid the risk of hypoglycaemia between 10:30 and 11:00am. 

● Have half the morning dose of insulin, but do not take your afternoon dose. You can have this after the procedure (bring your insulin with you). 

● Inform the nurse immediately you feel any symptoms of hypoglycaemia (sweating, shaking, blurred vision, extreme hunger, tiredness and difficulty thinking and light headedness). 

You should be aware that blood sugar levels may be disturbed by the change in your routine but should return to normal within 24-48 hours.

Diet and Tablet Treated Patients. 

● On the day before the examination when you are not permitted solid food, more carbohydrate rich drinks and monitor your blood glucose regularly. Halve evening tablet dose. 

● Ensure endoscopy is aware that you have diabetes so he/ she may be given an appointment near the beginning of the list. 

● Hypoglycaemia is unlikely to be a problem except if fasting is prolonged for patients treated with sulphonylurea tablets e.g. Gliclazide and Glibenclamide.

● Continue their tablets for diabetes at breakfast as usual. 

● Delay any tablets taken for diabetes given at lunchtime until you are able to eat and drink safely after the procedure. 

Be aware that blood sugar levels may be disturbed by the change in your routine but should return to normal within 24- 48 hours.