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Numbers - what to look for?
- Thread starter Newtothis
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Robster65
Senior Member
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- Type 1
Hi Amanda.
Basically your results look good to me. The thing to try and do is a test before you eat, then one at the 2 hour mark to guage the rise. If you were 6 beforehand and 7.5 after 2 hours, that would be amazing. If you started at 4, it would be less brilliant (although still good in my books!).
You should aim for as close to the normal range as poss, which is about 4-7.2, depending on where you look. Before meals I would reckon 4-5 as an ideal and afterwards, up to 7 or 8. These figures are generally hard to acheive all the time, so allow yourself some slack.🙂
Rob
Basically your results look good to me. The thing to try and do is a test before you eat, then one at the 2 hour mark to guage the rise. If you were 6 beforehand and 7.5 after 2 hours, that would be amazing. If you started at 4, it would be less brilliant (although still good in my books!).
You should aim for as close to the normal range as poss, which is about 4-7.2, depending on where you look. Before meals I would reckon 4-5 as an ideal and afterwards, up to 7 or 8. These figures are generally hard to acheive all the time, so allow yourself some slack.🙂
Rob
Thank you - so would you suggest I test when I first get up (fasting figure); 2hrs after breakfast; 2hrs before lunch; 2hrs after lunch; 2hrs before dinner and 2 hours later - which is roughly 6 times. I know I have to test to see which foods are high etc.. but want to make sure I'm doing the right thing. First day checking and all that. Also, the ideal is 4-5 and 7 or 8 after food. How long does it take your sugar to drop after food. Only asking because I have breakfast between 7.30am-8am and lunch at 1pm; dinner at 6.30pm. Don't eat after 8pm. Tips are most welcome. Amanda 🙂 x
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For the 'before' tests I would do it immediately before eating. BG naturally fluctuates a little, so measuring immediately before and then a while after eating will show (largely) the effect of that food over the intervening time. After a while you might experiment with tests 1 hour after eating. Some t2s have little 'phase 1' insulin secretion and can find that their highest level is before 2 hours (their phase 2 insulin having kicked in by then). Ideally you would want to time your 'after' tests to measure the very highest point you BG reaches. Then work on reducing those peaks by choosing the best foods for your body.
Robster65
Senior Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
The premeal test should be immediately before (or close to it).
The times for peaking and dropping vary from person to person and meal to meal. The best way may be to vary post-meal testing by 1/2 hour either way to check whether 2 hours is your peak time or not.
As a T1, I have some control over these aspects, but obviously you're somewhat at the mercy of your metabolism.
Hopefully you'll get some more specific advice from some of our T2s who have been down that road.🙂
Your meatimes are not dissimilar to mine and I never eat after tea, unless I need to as a hypo correction. I know some T2s eat a bedtime snack or zero or low carb to avoid a high waking BG. I wouldn't like to advise on this but there are plenty on here who can.🙂
ROb
The times for peaking and dropping vary from person to person and meal to meal. The best way may be to vary post-meal testing by 1/2 hour either way to check whether 2 hours is your peak time or not.
As a T1, I have some control over these aspects, but obviously you're somewhat at the mercy of your metabolism.
Hopefully you'll get some more specific advice from some of our T2s who have been down that road.🙂
Your meatimes are not dissimilar to mine and I never eat after tea, unless I need to as a hypo correction. I know some T2s eat a bedtime snack or zero or low carb to avoid a high waking BG. I wouldn't like to advise on this but there are plenty on here who can.🙂
ROb
Those numbers are spot on.
When I was diagnosed I was told to aim for
Pre-meal : 4-7mmol/L
2hrs Post-meal : 7-9mmol/L
Try and avoid : <4.0mmol/L (hypo) and >10mmol/L (hyper)
From my perspective (and you can ignore this because it's about what works for you) I found that when my levels were within the ranges above, I only needed to test once per day at different times. It takes longer to get properly informed, but it does help conserve the test strips (and will keep your GP happy if you're getting them on prescription!).
Also, I have porage quite regularly, but make it more interesting with a splash of nutmeg. I also have a banana with it, but that might be too much for you at the mo.
Andy 🙂
Robster65
Senior Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
If you can maintain those figures, you're onto a winner. You could try altering the timing of the 2nd test to 1 or 1.5 hour to see if it peaks sooner or even 2.5 hours to see if it drops a bit.
If you don't enjoy porridge, you could experiment with other foods to see what effect they have. Most cereals are likely to spike badly but wholegrain muesli, etc might be ok.
I go for the muesli with yoghurt and blueberries. It's different for all people.
Rob
If you don't enjoy porridge, you could experiment with other foods to see what effect they have. Most cereals are likely to spike badly but wholegrain muesli, etc might be ok.
I go for the muesli with yoghurt and blueberries. It's different for all people.
Rob
AlisonM
Much missed Moderator
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- Type 1.5 LADA
On a 'normal' day I would test on waking, before eating and two hours after a meal, then once more before going to bed. That's up to eight times a day. Unfortunately I haven't had a normal day in ages so I'm testing on average once every hour at the moment.
Thanks guys - its good to hear tips; suggestions etc... I bought the tester myself (not advised by nurse). I only have a limited number of strips until I buy some more so thought I'd do a first test in the morning before I eat anything and then test after breakfast - varying what I have to eat to see what works/doesn't work etc... In terms of lunch is it advisable to test 1hr before and 2hrs after as I have lunch at 1pm. Its normally either a salad or filled pitta bread because I'm at work. I don't want to overtest because at this stage I don't want to become obsessive with it. Its all new to me....
Thanks again - your support is priceless Amanda 🙂
Thanks again - your support is priceless Amanda 🙂
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Great results NTT 🙂
If you are experimenting with foods it's sometimes good to eat the same thing a few days running to make sure results are repeatable. There are so many variables involved it helps to keep your options open rather thahn vowing never to eat 'x' again on the basis of one result (which might have had a different, perhaps inexplicable cause).
If you are experimenting with foods it's sometimes good to eat the same thing a few days running to make sure results are repeatable. There are so many variables involved it helps to keep your options open rather thahn vowing never to eat 'x' again on the basis of one result (which might have had a different, perhaps inexplicable cause).
Robster65
Senior Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
You may find that your BG will go up or down slightly within the half hour before eating. Especially after a stroll to buy it.🙂
It's better if you can test immediately before you eat, so you know for sure where you're at. Havign said that, I sometimes don't for practical reasons.🙄
Rob
It's better if you can test immediately before you eat, so you know for sure where you're at. Havign said that, I sometimes don't for practical reasons.🙄
Rob
Mark T
Well-Known Member
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- Type 2
There is also some suggested guidelines in the Gretchen Becker book.
I currently test randomly once or twice a day, from either:
- after waking/before breakfast
- immediately before lunch or dinner
- one hour after lunch or dinner
- just before going to bed
Usually I'm looking for something in the range 4-7 mmol/L for pre-meal, on waking and beffore bed - ideally in the 5's for me.
Post-meal I look for under 8 mmol/L at the one hour point - I don't always achieve that depending on where I start from!
I currently test randomly once or twice a day, from either:
- after waking/before breakfast
- immediately before lunch or dinner
- one hour after lunch or dinner
- just before going to bed
Usually I'm looking for something in the range 4-7 mmol/L for pre-meal, on waking and beffore bed - ideally in the 5's for me.
Post-meal I look for under 8 mmol/L at the one hour point - I don't always achieve that depending on where I start from!
I should have thought about the walk (doh) - considering I turned my pedometer on. I'll test anyway in 2hrs and then re-test in the morning (fasting); immediately before breakfast and 2hrs later. Will also test immediately before lunch and 2hrs later. Its a learning curve. Thanks Robster65. Amanda
Just tested 7.2. I tested at 11.45am 6; had lunch at 12.30pm - medium sized pitta bread with mackeral in tomoto sauce (I don't tend to eat any additional food or snack because I'm trying to lose weight); I have brought a banana to go in my oats tomorrow.... I know I went for a 15min walk before lunch to buy lunch but is this still ok. Amanda 🙂
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