MS and blood sugar

[crshelton]

Hi. My mother has ms and is currently in ICU. Last week she was diagnosed with a UT I we has been having blood sugar spikes upto 609. They have been giving her insulin and brought it down to 332. My question is Can MS be causing this issue or is it more likely she is having kidney issues? Should we be asking doctors to test kidneys? Thanks for your help.

[lyndacarol]

Hi. My mother has ms and is currently in ICU. Last week she was diagnosed with a UT I we has been having blood sugar spikes upto 609. They have been giving her insulin and brought it down to 332. My question is Can MS be causing this issue or is it more likely she is having kidney issues? Should we be asking doctors to test kidneys? Thanks for your help.

Hi, Christina. Although I do not answer your questions directly, please accept my comments with my good intentions.

It is known that B12 deficiency can cause enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly) and enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly). I suspect that the pancreas (located in the same area) can also be affected and malfunction (producing either too much or too little insulin).

With her history of anemia (which can also be the result of B12 deficiency), I suggest that you look at the MCV (mean corpuscular volume) in her latest CBC. If the MCV is in the high-end of the lab's standard range, it may indicate megaloblastic anemia (which can result from B12 deficiency). If she has not been tested for Pernicious Anemia, that should be investigated (also results from B12 deficiency).

In the ICU, she may be able to have a hematologist screen for B12 deficiency – ask for #1 a serum B12 test; #2 RBC folate; #3 a serum homocysteine test; and #4 a serum methylmalonic acid test.

I have no medical background, but it seems like a good idea to know if kidneys are functioning properly when she is clearly diabetic (with glucose levels of 600 and 332).

For valuable information, videos, book, please read the following website thoroughly: http://b12awareness.org/

[jimmylegs]

personally, B12 is not what leaps to my mind when talking UTI and blood sugar.

i couldn't say whether the kidneys were the problem. i personally would go for thorough, well-rounded nutrition assessment and replenishment to see if that helped (recognizing of course that 'normal' results aren't good enough and that patients with ms are often low to mid 'normal' while exhibiting reversible nutrition deficiency symptoms. given that essential nutrient status is correlated to HIV survival, it's reasonable to take away that it's important for lesser infections as well.

i'd be looking at nutrition problems known to be a factor in ms in general, and those known to be associated with both ms and susceptibility to infection in particular.

related reading:

POOR NUTRITIONAL STATUS IS ASSOCIATED WITH URINARY TRACT INFECTION AMONG OLDER PEOPLE LIVING IN RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES
http://www.mna-elderly.com/publications/793.pdf