Advice please

[rebrascora]

And it doesn’t need to be. To continue that analogy, we’re trying to ‘herd our kittens’ into a pen (ideal blood sugar range). We understand that our kittens will walk around a bit in that pen but that doesn’t matter. What we’re not trying to do is ensure our kittens stand in the same place all day because that’s not necessarily and simply doesn’t happen.

I really like that thought. If you also consider that some of the kittens will climb out occasionally when your back is turned and need putting back, it also fits quite nicely.

 

[trophywench]

You'd hate it if the kittens did stay in the same place - that's not natural you'd say - what's wrong with them?

 

[Gwynn]

An interesting thought. What if the true reading wasn't 5.2. What if it was 4 or 12. Or pretty much anything once you get the idea in your head that the meter may not be telling the truth or anything near it. Of course as you mention it could be and the readings are fine. How do I know?

I am speaking to the doctor this afternoon (to see what he thinks) as THE diabetic nurse does not work on Mondays. Only one diabetic nurse?

It is all very scary to me.

 

[Lucyr]

The true reading can’t have been 12 because all three readings were similar and within allowed error. They were all in range so whether your true reading was 4.7 or 5.4 really makes no difference whatsoever to your treatment.

 

[rebrascora]

Gwynn, you are really not hearing what we are all saying and showing you.

BG LEVELS VARY A LOT ALL THE TIME ...... It is not natural for them to be consistent and stable.... unless you are dead! You are trying to achieve the impossible!

Please don't panic about this. It has been going on in your body (and everyone else's) like this since we were born, you just didn't have a meter to see it until now.

We would be the first to tell you if there was something wrong with the readings you are getting or if we suspected your meter was faulty, but that is absolutely not the case.
We are trying to tell you that your expectation is way too high and you need to be more relaxed about your readings and accept some variation and error margin...
.... maybe as much as a whole mmol each side of a reading for now would be a good thing for you to learn to accept.
So if you get a 5 it might actually be anywhere between 4 or 6 but it is still within the normal range so don't worry. Even if we say you get a meter reading of 4.2.... so following my suggestion it could be between 3.2 or 5.2 It would still be nothing to worry about because it can't go too low without a huge amount of exercise or insulin and you will know that you haven't done either of those things, so the reality is that that 4.2 reading will still reflect a BG level in the normal range.

 

[Inka]

An interesting thought. What if the true reading wasn't 5.2. What if it was 4 or 12. Or pretty much anything once you get the idea in your head that the meter may not be telling the truth or anything near it. Of course as you mention it could be and the readings are fine. How do I know?

I am speaking to the doctor this afternoon (to see what he thinks) as THE diabetic nurse does not work on Mondays. Only one diabetic nurse?

It is all very scary to me.

It’s perfectly reasonable to be anxious about the diabetes. Of course it’s scary - particularly in the early days after diagnosis.

But - it’s not reasonable to wonder if your blood glucose meter is lying to you. All meters are tested and have an approved margin of error. Your blood sugar might not be 4.8 it might be 6, and then it might go up to 6.2 then down to 5.3. This is all normal. It’s also normal if it goes up to 8. You don’t need a new meter because that will present you with different numbers too. The problem isn’t the meter.

You’re allowing your natural fear about the diabetes to become all-consuming and cloud your judgement. You’re not answering posts that seek to reassure you or show you that blood sugar goes up and down in people without diabetes. You think ‘something is going on’, but it really isn’t. It is utterly irrelevant whether your blood sugar is 5 or 6.1 or 4.2. It’s irrelevant that you can get three different readings in 3 minutes - utterly irrelevant because that’s what your body is supposed to do and the meter isn’t trying to tell you your precise blood sugar anyway.

Buy an oximeter or a BP machine or anything similar. You’ll see natural variation. Your heart rate will be 68, then 72, then 74, then 58. Unless you’re seeing results outside of the normal range, then all those different numbers are all fine.

You can’t control the systems of your body that work automatically. You can’t make them present you with the same number on repeated tests. And why would you want to?

Reduce your blood tests as I suggested early and try to relax. That can only be beneficial for your wellbeing.

 

[Gwynn]

Yes, ok. I think you are all correct. I have been obsessing about the numbers ever since I came out of hospital and the readings were quite chaotic and variable. I will try to take a more rational, calm view of these slight variations going forwards.

Thanks for all of your help.

 

[Docb]

@Gwynn, if it is any consolation, I spent the first few months after my HbA1c went wonk taking measurements and looking to make sense in the details of the numbers. It's what I used to do for a living so I just had to go at it. Fiddled around with all sorts of stats and even did some Fast Fourier Analysis at one point. Should have known better.

Took me a couple of months to come to terms with defeat in my quest and accept the reality as being exactly as I and others have suggested. What you get from a meter is very broad brush but it is absolutely invaluable when as a T1 you are checking to make sure you have got your insulin calculations about right or as a T2 you are working to eliminate foodstuffs that your system can't cope with.

The rapid feedback you get from the meter allows you to react quickly and accurately when things are going really awry and you are heading into hypo or hyper territory and for that may we all be truly grateful.

PS... have you come across the diabetes fairy concept yet? Many of us are convinced that this mischievous being flits around the country casting her mischievous spells over blood glucose levels, and she is the root cause of those minor variations which do not seem to make sense. Fanciful I know, but it's as good as explanation of what goes on as any.

 

[helli]

How do you ensure better accuracy?

Whilst there is so much that can affect our blood sugars (bad night's sleep, good night's sleep, more exercise, less exercise, stress, illness, alcohol, hotter, colder, ...) and every day is different, I think accuracy is over rated. Even the carb content of food is an estimate (who knows whether you will get the slice of cake with more or less sultanas in or the over or under ripe apple or a rise due to protein rather than carbs for a low/no carb meal?)

Take care not to obsess. I say this as someone who has done so in the past and ended up with diabetes burn out.
Plus, as stress causes our blood sugars to rise, the more chilled you are the better it is for your diabetes.

You are more than a diabetes diagnosis. Please look after all of yourself not just your "accurate" blood sugar readings.

 

[Gwynn]

You will not believe this...

The doctor rang me just now so we had a chat.

The results of the extended blood tests have finally been returned after two months and... I am not diabetic. It is thought that the hydrocortisone and my terrible lfestyle had temporarily 'blown' the system. My new lifestyle and temporary insulin seems to have slotted things into place again. Not sure how long for but any reprieve is to be welcomed.

No way will I let it run away again if I can. The good diet stays. And the monitoring of BG.

We also briefly discussed the varying results from my BG meter. He immediately said that they would supply a different type of meter and to continue the testing.

Amazing.

Is that the creak of a trap door opening???

 

[Inka]

Yes, I do believe it - it makes sense 🙂 Nothing you said sounded like Type 1 and your regime suggested you were being treated as steroid/Type 2. It’s sad that extra anxiety was caused with the mention of Type 1.

Good news then as steroid-induced diabetes can often be reversed as I said or can resolve itself. A “terrible lifestyle” can, of course, also be altered for the better and have good effects on blood sugar.

 

[trophywench]

Good!

 

[Gwynn]

Just to let you know my last 10 readings are...

6.1, 5.4, 5.6, 5.6, 5.2, 5.1, 5.4, 5.6, 5.9, 5.4

My weight (which was 90.4Kg) is now 76.6Kg and falling gradually (controlled diet)

The best Christmas present ever!!