BG level to determine diabetic condition

[devil vinoth]

Hi all,

What BG measurement should i consider or is best to evaluate pre diabetic or diabetic condition

1. Average measurements over 30,60,90 ( what is the range?)
2. HB1ac levels
3. If 1 and 2 are under control then if my fasting BG is sligthly higher than my post meal BG should i be worried? or vice versa?

 

[Josh DUK]

Hello @devil vinoth ,

Thank you so much for your comment. I am unsure off the top of my head. but have you had a chance to look at our learning Zone. It may help with your query.

Landing Page | Diabetes UK Learning Zone

learningzone.diabetes.org.uk

@LucyDUK your thoughts?

 

[rebrascora]

I would say HbA1c is the best as it is the official test result which doctors will rely on for diagnosis.
Your average BG readings can help to give you an idea of where your HbA1c is likely to be but you have to remember that at least a 3rd of the day you are not collecting any readings at all unless you have a Libre or CGM, so you have no input of data for all those hours you are asleep and many people find their BG starts to rise in the early hours with DP. Even the Libre which is collecting data throughout that time is often a few points out on it's estimate compared to HbA1c, but then HbA1c is a sort of average of the past 3 months, so if you have only been getting good readings in the last week or so, the HbA1c will not fully reflect that improvement... really you have to view diabetes as a long running and on going battle in which you have goals but achieving them is not always possible all of the time for a huge variety of reasons. All you can do is your best
As regards your fasting reading being higher than your post meal reading. Are you talking about morning time or at other times of the day. Personally I do not view a pre-meal reading at lunchtime or in the evening as a fasting reading as there can be food from the previous meal still having an impact on your levels so that may be why you get a higher reading before than after, particularly if slow release foods have been involved.

 

[Deleted member 27171]

Hi @devil vinoth

2 is essentially a more accurate measure of 1 (90 days) and as mentioned HbA1c is likely to be the only result your doctor is concerned with for diagnostic purposes. Having said that 3 will certainly be helpful for you to get an idea of what might help you reduce your HbA1c.
For example, by testing 2 hours after meals you will be able to see whether certain foods are more difficult for you digest whilst maintaining target bgl and may help you make decisions about what you may want to reduce/increase in your diet, or allow you track the difference exercise makes to those levels.
The limitation of the HbA1c is that it simply shows your doctor your levels are increased a significant amount of time to be concerned but not when they are increased or what impact specific changes (diet, lifestyle, weight) are having between tests.

I hope that helps/makes sense?