BG spikes query

[Lucylemonpip]

If the BG spikes are the things we should try to avoid, is it these that cause us our “complications”? If so, how many spikes does it take to make things deteriorate? We all have the days when we are a bit naughty food-wise and obviously, too many naughty days will cause problems, but how much can you get away with? I’m not saying I intend to be continually naughty, but don’t want to be so naughty that I cause myself a problem. I presume it will be an individual thing and unique to each person, so there is no one size fits all?

 

[novorapidboi26]

Don't know if its as simple as that......

I think periods of long persistent highs effect the macro vascular system over the long term and then unstable levels going from high to low in a short space of time will effect the micro vascular system in the short term......

the body can take a decent amount of abuse in general but everyone is different........

having spikes isn't so bad, as long as your coming back down within an hour.....

 

[Lucylemonpip]

Don't know if its as simple as that......

I think periods of long persistent highs effect the macro vascular system over the long term and then unstable levels going from high to low in a short space of time will effect the micro vascular system in the short term......

the body can take a decent amount of abuse in general but everyone is different........

having spikes isn't so bad, as long as your coming back down within an hour.....

Thank you. Very useful info. I’m trying to understand the complexities of it all. Lol.

 

[novorapidboi26]

My body has taken a beating as far as the diabetes is concerned......but all i have complication wise is retinopathy/maculopathy due to going from c**p control to really good control overnight......

there may be other complications to follow in my life but for now, 21 years in, its going OK.......so try not to worry about the odd spike here and there.......its all about the daily battle......keep your levels within a decent range for as long as you can....

 

[Lucylemonpip]

My body has taken a beating as far as the diabetes is concerned......but all i have complication wise is retinopathy/maculopathy due to going from c**p control to really good control overnight......

there may be other complications to follow in my life but for now, 21 years in, its going OK.......so try not to worry about the odd spike here and there.......its all about the daily battle......keep your levels within a decent range for as long as you can....

Yes, it’s an ongoing learning curve isn’t it. You keep well too! 🙂​

 

[Kaylz]

It's also worth taking note that complications can occur no matter how good your control is, people are quick to judge that because I was diagnosed with diabetic macular oedema less than a month after I was diagnosed Type 1 and then proliferative retinopathy less than 2 years in that I've not taken care of myself which couldn't be further from the truth

 

[Lucylemonpip]

It's also worth taking note that complications can occur no matter how good your control is, people are quick to judge that because I was diagnosed with diabetic macular oedema less than a month after I was diagnosed Type 1 and then proliferative retinopathy less than 2 years in that I've not taken care of myself which couldn't be further from the truth

Thank you. It definitely seems very much an individual thing and one size does not fit all. I hope things have improved for you.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I think this is a bit of an unknown and unknowable thing really. What studies do show is that an HbA1c at 'x' is no guarantee of anything, and different people will still have different levels of risk - and as @Kaylz's and @Northerner's experience shows, some of that risk is just there, seemingly independent of duration of diabetes, and tightness or otherwise of BG variability.

Additionally the same HbA1c can be derived from significantly different BG profiles, either pottering along with lots of 'Time In Range' or from constant wild swings from hyper to hypo and back again.

There is a known association between higher glucose instability/variability and incidence of diabetes complications, and there is a known association between longer duration of diabetes and increased complication risk.

So the only thing we can really do is try to do our best, to aim for as much time in range, and as mdest a glucose instability as we can manage for as much of the time as we can, and try not to worry ourselves silly when things go a bit out of whack (either deliberately or for no apparent reason).

 

[Lucylemonpip]

I think this is a bit of an unknown and unknowable thing really. What studies do show is that an HbA1c at 'x' is no guarantee of anything, and different people will still have different levels of risk - and as @Kaylz's and @Northerner's experience shows, some of that risk is just there, seemingly independent of duration of diabetes, and tightness or otherwise of BG variability.

Additionally the same HbA1c can be derived from significantly different BG profiles, either pottering along with lots of 'Time In Range' or from constant wild swings from hyper to hypo and back again.

There is a known association between higher glucose instability/variability and incidence of diabetes complications, and there is a known association between longer duration of diabetes and increased complication risk.

So the only thing we can really do is try to do our best, to aim for as much time in range, and as mdest a glucose instability as we can manage for as much of the time as we can, and try not to worry ourselves silly when things go a bit out of whack (either deliberately or for no apparent reason).

Thank you Mike. Sound advice. 🙂