Colonoscopy/Surgical Procedure Preparation

The preparation for a colonoscopy can affect your blood glucose levels as it usually includes a change in your meal plan and a series of laxatives.  As a result, you will need to make changes to your diabetes medications, including insulin doses as well as the frequency of blood glucose monitoring.  It is most important to avoid low blood glucose and severe high blood glucose before and during the procedure. To avoid this problem, your appointment should ideally be scheduled for the early morning, but occasionally, it may be scheduled in the afternoon.   

Ideally oral diabetes medications should not be taken when one is fasting but sometimes your team might ask you to hold the medications for a few days prior to the procedure.

Consult your diabetes provider and team prior to making any changes to your regimen.