End of life and diabetes

Diabetes & endocrinology
NHS Lothian

What do I do if my patient with diabetes is at the end of their life?

  • The aim in the final days of life is to avoid hypoglycaemia, symptomatic hyperglycaemia, diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state
  • Aim capillary blood glucose (CBG) 8 - 15mmol/L
  • Contact the diabetes team if
    • you have concerns about a patient with diabetes at the end of life
    • if they are continuing on insulin

End of Life flowchart and guidelines

This has been taken from the TREND End of Life Guidance for Diabetes Care, 2024 (page 21). The full guideline can be found here