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Pabbiel

Pabbiel

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Relationship to Diabetes
At risk of diabetes
Hi, I’ve been pre-diabetic for a few years now, managed to lose a little weight but it’s been difficult due to disability and mobility. Because of this I have been keeping an eye on my blood sugar every few months. This week I done a fasting blood glucose test and the reading was 7.2, I thought I would try the next day another fasting and 7.3. I thought if it was over 7 today I would make an appointment to see my GP But it was 6.3 today. I also tested after eating and that was normal. I feel confused about this, why the changes so different and should I be worried?
 
Welcome to the forum @Pabbiel. 🙂

Well done on the weight loss despite the challenges.

When was the last time you had a blood test taken at your GP surgery? Do you know what your HbA1c level was? Your sugar level readings seem to be fine, but you're best to speak with your GP to arrange another blood test if you're concerned about any changes.
 
Maybe altering what you eat would help.
What is your usual way of eating?
 
Hi, Thanks for your replies, apparently I had a HbA1c test in may this year and it was 35, only just found this out as we just called, I didn’t realise it had been done. I will mention it to my GP when I see them next. Well done for weight loss, that’s amazing and all the exercise and teaching children to dance as well. We eat quite healthy, we are pescatarian’s plus I’m gluten free and have food intolerances, so all meals cooked from scratch, Nothing fried, lots of fruit and vegetables. My daughter had diabetes when she was pregnant and said we need to be careful what fruit we eat and limit our carbs. So we do have a bit of work to do. I have so many restrictions already, I think cutting carbs is going to be hard.
 
Welcome to the forum @Pabbiel

Well done in starting with some weight loss. As you say with changes in mobility this can be more difficult.

You mention the variation in your glucose levels after eating. This can be due to a number of things. The carbs that we eat will always be converted into glucose, but the rate at which this happens will vary, for example if a meal has a higher fat content then the glucose will develop more slowly.

If you are interested in the patterns it can help to keep a record of the foods that you eat, alongside a glucose reading before and two hours after you eat. This will show you how your body copes with specific foods. I know I was amazed at the impact of porridge on my levels. I spike when I eat oats, others don’t. We are all different and we need to find what works for each of us.

with an HbA1c of 35 you would not be classified as diabetic, but if you know that there is a danger of this developing then monitoring and modifying what you eat can help.
 
Hello @Pabbiel and welcome to the forum.
It is good to be aware and monitor blood sugars, but it looks as if all is looking good for you. HbA1c is in the 'no problem' range.
Small variations in meter readings are normal and meter inaccuracies can sometimes happen (can't quite remember but I think the accuracy range is around 10%)
Also early morning readings are quite often a bit higher due to something called 'dawn phenomenon' - nothing to be concerned about. (details on this link: Dawn phenomenon « Diabetes Support Information Exchange (diabetes-support.org.uk)

As @SB2015 suggests, it may be useful to monitor levels for a while and may be identify any particular foods that may cause a spike, although your eating pattern looks to be well in line with what works in keeping glucose levels well for many people.

Best wishes and please keep posting - we will always try to help if we can.
 
Does your BG reading drop later in the morning?
It can be very common for some, especially if you do low carb, to see a "dawn phenomenon"
As you restrict carbs, your body loses the ability to react quickly, and the natural liver dump when you wake up takes longer to balance against insulin release.
I don't low carb, and if I see a high fasting, I would have a different problem, as I do react to carbs with a fast response.
As to weight, if you cut carbs and fats, look at increasing protein, if you can.
 
Sorry to hear that you have seen a slight rise in your fingerstick checks. :(

It’s worth remembering that home BG monitors have a permitted level of variance, which can mean that small differences between numbers may partly just be down to strip variations

Your HbA1c of 35 is well within the normal range. Those with a reading of 42-47 are usually told that they are at risk of diabetes, and a level above 48 are given a diagnosis with diabetes.

Perhaps an updated HbA1c would help to put your mind at rest?
 
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