Tayside Diabetes MCN Handbook - Preparation Prior to Procedures for People with Diabetes

No special preparation required for pelvic ultrasound scan bladder, renal, uterus, and prostate

Upper and lower abdominal ultrasound

General information

Four hour fast prior to procedure
Fat free diet, no milk
Avoid gassy food and drinks on evening before, and day of examination
Oral hypoglycaemic agents and/or insulin can cause hypoglycaemia
Ensure blood glucose monitoring is undertaken and appropriate treatments for hypoglycaemia are available

Diabetes treated with tablets

May require reduction (30 – 50%) in insulin dose prior to fast to prevent hypoglycaemia
People with type 1 diabetes should continue basal (long acting) insulin as prescribed. Basal insulin preparations include Lantus, Levemir, Insulatard & Humulin I
Resume normal insulin as prescribed with food following procedure
If BD insulin regimen is restarted at lunchtime it is recommended that half of the normal ‘breakfast’ insulin dose should be prescribed with lunch after procedure

Chest, head and neck – no special dietary preparation

Abdomen and Pelvis

General information

Four hour food and fluid fast prior to procedure
Avoid gassy food and drink on day before and, day of examination e.g. Green vegetables/salads, fresh fruit, beans, fatty foods and fizzy drinks.
Oral hypoglycaemic agents and/or insulin can cause hypoglycaemia
Ensure blood glucose monitoring is undertaken and appropriate treatments for hypoglycaemia are available
Continue all other tablets as usual until day of test

If CT involves contrast discontinue Metformin 48 hours before procedure – see Radiological Procedures with Iodine Containing Contrast
Take diabetes medication as prescribed with food before fast
Resume diabetes medication (not Metformin) as prescribed with food after procedure.
Follow guidelines on restarting Metformin

If CT involves contrast discontinue Metformin (if normally prescribed) 48 hours before procedure – see Radiological Procedures with Iodine Containing Contrast
Follow guidelines on restarting Metformin
Four hour food and fluid fast prior to procedure.
May require reduction (30 – 50%) in insulin dose prior to fast to prevent hypoglycaemia
Continue basal (long acting) insulin as prescribed in people with type 1 diabetes. Basal insulin preparations include Lantus, Levemir, Insulatard & Humulin I.
Resume normal insulin as prescribed with food following procedure
If BD insulin regimen is restarted at lunchtime it is recommended that half of the normal ‘breakfast’ insulin dose should be prescribed with lunch after procedure