human--->cat blood glucose conversion chart

[Rachel Rosie]

HI, I am trying to find a chart that converts BG readings from a human glucometer (ReliOn Micro) to "cat numbers". My first readings so far (ever, all today) have been 50, 56, and 63, and that seems low. Thanks for any help or info!

 

[dirtybirdsoaps]

This was what I was given when I asked this question

This post is originally from BJM. I copied and pasted it here:

Unsubstantiated information about pet-specific meter reference numbers has been removed by Moderator.

Comparing a human glucometer to a pet-specific glucometer is like reading temperature in Celsius vs Fahrenheit. Both are correct. You just need to know the reference ranges to interpret what the numbers mean.

Here are some glucose reference ranges used for decision making using glucometers. Human glucometer numbers are given first. Numbers in parentheses are for non-US meters. Numbers in curly braces are estimates for an AlphaTrak. There are some examples following at the bottom of how to use them.

< 40 mg/dL (2.2 mmol/L)
- Treat as if HYPO if on insulin
- At nadir (lowest point between shots) in a long term diabetic (more than a year), may earn a reduction.

< 50 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L)
- If before nadir, steer with food, ie, give modest amounts of medium carb food to keep from going below 50 (2.8).
- At nadir, often indicates dose reduction is earned.

50 - 130 mg/dL (2.8 - 7.2 mmol/L)
- On insulin - great control when following a tight regulation protocol.
- Off insulin - normal numbers. (May even go as low as the upper 30s (1.7 mmol/L); if not on insulin, this can be safe.

= 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L)
- no shot limit for ProZinc, PZI, or other non-depot insulins

> 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L)
- At nadir, indicates a dose increase may be needed when following a tight regulation protocol.

200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L)
- no shot level for beginners; may slowly reduce to 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L) for long-acting insulins (Lantus, Levemir, and ProZinc) as data collection shows it is safe

180 - 280 mg/dL (10 - 15.6 mmol/L) - Any time - The renal threshold (depending on data source and cat's renal function) where glucose spills into the urine.
- Test for ketones, glucose is too high.

>= 280 mg/dL (15.6 mmol/L), if for most of the cycle between shots
- Uncontrolled diabetes and thus at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis and hepatic lipidosis
- Follow your insulin protocol for dose adjustments
- Test for ketones; if more than a trace level of ketones, go to vet ASAP

 

[KPassa]

You don't need to convert numbers from a human meter to "cat numbers" since most of us use human meters already. In order to understand what the numbers mean, I simply use Wikipedia's Blood Sugar Guidelines for feline diabetes for reference ranges (which is based on using human meters).

50, 56, and 63 are considered "normal" range for a non-diabetic. For a diabetic on insulin, those number could be great...but they could also be worrisome, depending on the insulin you're using, when you gave the last dose, and how much of a dose you gave.

 

[BJM]

Those are low!

Are those numbers with or without insulin?

If with insulin, before a shot or 5 to 7 hours after it?

If no insulin, those numbers suggest none is needed.

If those tests are 5 to 7 hours after a shot, those are really good ... except we need to know what insulin and how long on that dose, because that can adjust our interpretation.