Guidance for patients with diabetes

This information is in addition to the instructions you have already received for bowel preparation, please follow the instructions for bowel preparation carefully.

As a diabetic patient you are at an increased risk of having a “hypo” (low blood sugar- when not eating for any length of time. Symptoms include sweating, shakiness, blurred vision or feeling light headed).

To avoid this we recommend you follow the instructions below and regularly check your blood sugar. Please make sure you have additional glucose drinks/glucose tablets at home.

Examples of suitable glucose drinks include; Lucozade, fizzy drinks and fruit juices

Advice for patients with diabetes on oral medication(s) undergoing gastroscopy

Morning gastroscopy

Day before test

- Take anti-diabetes medications as usual

Day of test

Fast from midnight. 

- Clear fluids till 4:30 am (e.g black tea, coffee, clear fruit juice)

- Omit AM anti-diabetes medications

Following your test take anti-diabetes medications as usual with food

Afternoon gastroscopy

Day before test

- Take anti-diabetes medications as usual

Day of test

- Have a light breakfast

- Fast from 7:30 am. Clear fluids till 9:30 am (e.g black tea, coffee, clear fruit juice)

- Omit AM and lunchtime anti-diabetes medications

Following your test take anti-diabetes medications as usual with food

Patients with diabetes undergoing a gastroscopy before 12 midday

Patients with diabetes undergoing an afternoon gastroscopy

Advice for patients on insulin undergoing a colonoscopy

4 Times daily insulin – Morning Colonoscopy

3 days before examination - Follow the low residue diet sheet.

CARRY ON TAKING YOUR INSULIN AS NORMAL

2 days before examination

CARRY ON TAKING YOUR INSULIN AS NORMAL

Test your blood glucose (finger prick) at least 4 times a day or before each meal time. If advice needed contact Diabetic Nurse Team – Huddersfield (Locala) 01484 344270, Calderdale 01422 222025, your GP or NHS 111.

Day before examination (24 Hours)

DO NOT EAT SOLID FOOD - TAKE CLEAR FLUIDS ONLY from the sheet attached. Aim to replace your usual carbohydrate intake from the list of permitted clear fluids. You can have sugary fluids, fruit juice (smooth) or jelly (not red) to replace your usual carbohydrates.

Test your blood glucose (finger prick) at least 4 times a day

TAKE HALF (50%) OF YOUR USUAL DOSE OF INSULIN TODAY FOR ALL INJECTIONS. Start bowel preparation as instructed.

CARRY GLUCOSE TABLETS in case of hypoglycaemia. Take 3 tablets and recheck your blood glucose in 10 minutes. Take a further 3 tablets if your blood glucose remains less than 4mmol/L

 

Day of the colonoscopy test – before colonoscopy

OMIT MORNING FAST ACTING DOSE OF INSULIN. IF TAKING LONG ACTING INSULIN IN THE MORNING THEN TAKE HALF DOSE (50%)

  • Continue CLEAR FLUIDS until 1 hour before appointment.
  • Test your blood glucose (finger prick) every 2 hours.

Your blood glucose may be higher than usual, this is only temporary to maintain your levels for the procedure and should be back to normal in 24-48 hours. This level will be checked when you arrive.

 

Following the colonoscopy

If able to eat before 11am: TAKE NORMAL MORNING INSULIN DOSE AFTER FOOD.

If able to eat after 11am: TAKE NORMAL LUNCHTIME FAST ACTING INSULIN DOSE AFTER FOOD.

TAKE NORMAL TEATIME AND BEDTIME INSULIN DOSES

4 Times daily insulin – Afternoon Colonoscopy

3 days before examination - Follow the low residue diet sheet.

CARRY ON TAKING YOUR INSULIN AS NORMAL

2 days before examination

CARRY ON TAKING YOUR INSULIN AS NORMAL

Test your blood glucose (finger prick) at least 4 times a day or before each meal time. If advice needed contact Diabetic Nurse Team – Huddersfield (Locala) 01484 344270, Calderdale 01422 222025, your GP or NHS 111.

Day before examination (24 Hours)

DO NOT EAT SOLID FOOD - TAKE CLEAR FLUIDS ONLY from your information sheet attached. Aim to replace your usual carbohydrate intake from the list of permitted clear fluids. You can have sugary fluids, fruit juice (smooth) or jelly (not red) to replace your usual carbohydrates. Test your blood glucose (finger prick) at least 4 times a day

TAKE HALF (50%) OF YOUR USUAL DOSE OF INSULIN TODAY FOR ALL INJECTIONS. Start bowel preparation as instructed.

CARRY GLUCOSE TABLETS in case of hypoglycaemia. Take 3 tablets and recheck your blood glucose in 10 minutes. Take a further 3 tablets if your blood glucose remains less than 4.

Day of the colonoscopy test

TAKE HALF (50%) OF MORNING FAST ACTING DOSE OF INSULIN. IF TAKING LONG ACTING INSULIN IN THE MORNING THEN TAKE HALF DOSE (50%). OMIT YOUR LUNCHTIME FAST ACTING INSULIN.

  • Continue CLEAR FLUIDS until 1 hour before appointment.
  • Test your blood glucose (finger prick) every 2 hours.

Your blood glucose may be higher than usual, this is only temporary to maintain your levels for the procedure and should be back to normal in 24-48 hours. This level will be checked when you arrive.

 

Following the colonoscopy

Take normal teatime and bedtime insulin doses

Twice daily insulin for a afternoon Colonoscopy

3 days before examination - Follow the low residue diet sheet.

CARRY ON TAKING YOUR INSULIN AS NORMAL

TAKE ANY ANTI-DIABETIC MEDICATIONS AS NORMAL.

 

2 days before examination

CARRY ON TAKING YOUR INSULIN AS NORMAL

TAKE ANY ANTI-DIABETIC MEDICATIONS AS NORMAL

Test your blood glucose (finger prick) at least 4 times a day or before each meal time. If advice needed contact Diabetic Nurse Team – Huddersfield (Locala) 01484 344270, Calderdale 01422 222025, your GP or NHS 111.

 

Day before examination (24 Hours)

DO NOT EAT SOLID FOOD - TAKE CLEAR FLUIDS ONLY from your information sheet. Aim to replace your usual carbohydrate intake from the list of permitted clear fluids. You can have sugary fluids, fruit juice (smooth) or jelly (not red) to replace your usual carbohydrates.

Test your blood glucose (finger prick) at least 4 times a day

TAKE HALF (50%) OF YOUR USUAL DOSE OF MORNING AND EVENING INSULIN TODAY. OMIT ALL OTHER ANTI-DIABETIC MEDICATIONS TODAY.

Start bowel preparation as instructed

CARRY GLUCOSE TABLETS in case of hypoglycaemia. Take 3 tablets and recheck your blood glucose in 10 minutes. Take a further 3 tablets if your blood glucose remains less than 4mmol/L

Day of the colonoscopy test – before colonoscopy

IF ON MORNING INSULIN, REDUCE THE DOSE BY HALF (50%) OMIT MORNING AND LUNCHTIME ANTI-DIABETICMEDICATIONS

  • Continue bowel preparation as instructed
  • Continue CLEAR FLUIDS until 1 hour before appointment.
  • Test your blood glucose (finger prick) every 2 hours.

Your blood glucose may be higher than usual, this is only temporary to maintain your levels for the procedure and should be back to normal in 24-48 hours. This level will be checked when you arrive.

 

Following the colonoscopy

Eat and drink as normal unless otherwise directed by the nursing staff and RESTART YOUR USUAL EVENING DOSE OF INSULIN AND ALL ANTI-DIABETIC MEDICATIONS AS USUAL