Prediabetes: Question about self monitoring blood sugar (Metformin, diet, fasting)

[dan1969]

So about 2 months ago, during my physical I was diagnosed as prediabetic, just barely. I was 2 points over the line from normal to prediabetic. Anyway, I have lost weight, about 10 pounds or so. Cut out most bad carbs and sugar, like white flour and sweets. I occasionally test my blood sugar upon waking and have had results like 83, 70, 78, 84 but today I got 94!


The difference is that I had a late dinner that was higher carb than usual.

So I guess the question is, would eating late mess up my numbers like that the next morning? It was still about 7 hours fasting

[lunetunelover]

Yes, eating late can have that effect.


Generally, I try not to eat anything after 9pm.


94 is still a "normal" number, but I can see why you may be concerned. Once in a while after a late dinner or something isn't something I'd worry about. When it gets to be like that all the time (or higher), then it can be a problem.


And yes, I'm diabetic.

[dan1969]

Originally Posted by lunetunelover

Yes, eating late can have that effect.


Generally, I try not to eat anything after 9pm.


94 is still a "normal" number, but I can see why you may be concerned. Once in a while after a late dinner or something isn't something I'd worry about. When it gets to be like that all the time (or higher), then it can be a problem.


And yes, I'm diabetic.

Thanks!

[oldgardener]

Diabetic or not, everyone's liver dumps glucose into the bloodstream while sleeping, and that can cause higher fasting blood sugar readings in the morning.

My metformin keeps my fasting sugar below 100 (my fasting is way over 100 without metformin), and what I have eaten the day before has little effect on it.

I wouldn't worry about your 94, just keep watching your carbs as you have been.

[guidoLaMoto]

Originally Posted by dan1969

So about 2 months ago, during my physical I was diagnosed as prediabetic, just barely. I was 2 points over the line from normal to prediabetic. Anyway, I have lost weight, about 10 pounds or so. Cut out most bad carbs and sugar, like white flour and sweets. I occasionally test my blood sugar upon waking and have had results like 83, 70, 78, 84 but today I got 94!


The difference is that I had a late dinner that was higher carb than usual.

So I guess the question is, would eating late mess up my numbers like that the next morning? It was still about 7 hours fasting

a) Your meter is only accurate to +/-10% so all your results are statistically equal-- all are within 10% of the mean.


b) I object to the new fad of diagnosing "pre-diabetes." Is the 18 y/o destined to eventually be the mother of three now pre-pregnant? Was I at age 20 pre-bald, now that 50 yrs later the part in my hair is 8 inches wide?...


c) In early diabetes, fasting BS are normal. It's the post prandial BS that are elevated, so the proper screening test for diabetes is the 2- hr post prandial BS-- a point I'm sure 95% of physicians don't realize. That's why they still ask for fasting blood tests at your yearly exam.


d) It's immaterial whether we call you diabetic or pre-diabetic. The proper treatment begins with a sensible curtailment of carbs in the diet-- which is good advice for everyone. Don't lose sleep over it. It's the long term elevation of BS that correlates with diabetic complications, not the hour to hour changes. ...and regular, vigorous exercise (good for everyone) is particularly important in controlling BS and preventing complications in diabetics.

[jambo101]

Originally Posted by dan1969

So about 2 months ago, during my physical I was diagnosed as prediabetic, just barely. I was 2 points over the line from normal to prediabetic. Anyway, I have lost weight, about 10 pounds or so. Cut out most bad carbs and sugar, like white flour and sweets. I occasionally test my blood sugar upon waking and have had results like 83, 70, 78, 84 but today I got 94!

Kudos for taking your pre diabetes diagnosis seriously many dont and end up with full blown diabetes.

[lchoro]

You can view online charts of blood glucose levels after meals for diabetics and non-diabetics. They both peak about 1 hour after the meal. By the end of the second hour, most of the drop in blood glucose level has occurred for both but the diabetic's has a slower descent.

Thought of in another way, the common advice is to eat a cracker about 3 hours after a meal to avoid the crashing feeling.

[oldgardener]

Originally Posted by lchoro

You can view online charts of blood glucose levels after meals for diabetics and non-diabetics. They both peak about 1 hour after the meal. By the end of the second hour, most of the drop in blood glucose level has occurred for both but the diabetic's has a slower descent.

Thought of in another way, the common advice is to eat a cracker about 3 hours after a meal to avoid the crashing feeling.

I just looked for such charts and didn't find any, where do you see them? I have doubts that a nondiabetic would eat an apple and go above 140 BS, whereas when I eat an apple, I go to 178 BS, so I'd like to see comparisons of nondiabetic and diabetic, out of curiosity.

Also, I've been diabetic for years and have never had a "crashing feeling."

[Overloaded]

I get sick after shower dry off then it starts I start pouring water out of my skin dizzy hungry for my sweet cereal after I eat large bowl of it I stop sweating getting dizzy now I’m dry but I’m freezing cold weak feeling like I’m normal again after cereal scared I have epilepsy already something is wrong diebedies god I can’t spell runs in my family both sides or is it enemic they have checked my blood pressure sugar in past but something is wron if eating that cearel is only thing that makes it go away please help

[Overloaded]

Crashed that’s what I feel like I’m going to do and I feel in that moment I’m going to drop down and just die