Blood sugar 'spike' and damage

[Peeny]

I'm sitting here, after having eaten a small slice of cake 2 hours ago - it was soooo good. I'm type2, I've tested my bs, and the numbers are ok, no spike. Is the damage done on foods that spike bs, or is it any sugars? I'm still learning, and trying different things. TIA

 

[Kaylz]

Damage can occur even without spikes in BG unfortunately so there is no guarantee even if someone doesn't have huge spikes that they won't end up with issues (I'm one of those unfortunate folk) but the less spikes you have the lower the risk of damage and complications but they can still happen, also just because you didn't see a spike at 2 hours doesn't mean one didn't occur, it could've happened before or could even happen after xx

 

[Peeny]

oh i did not know that, i've been testing before and after each meal, and going by the bs numbers. I didn't realise damage can be done any time. If that's the case how do we know what to eat, and what to stay away from?

 

[Ditto]

I didn't know that either, I thought it was just if you don't look after yourself and have spikes?

 

[Inka]

I'm sitting here, after having eaten a small slice of cake 2 hours ago - it was soooo good. I've tested my bs, and the numbers are ok, no spike. Is the damage done on foods that spike bs, or is it any sugars? I'm still learning, and trying different things. TIA

For something sweet like that, you could test at 1hr as well as 2hrs. I do when I fear a spike or a miscalculation (I’m on insulin).

 

[Dave W]

My BS peaks 1 hour after eating and by 2 hours has started to fall. Here's what I recorded at 0, +1, +2 and +3 hours this morning - 0 - 6.3, +1 - 9.1, +2 - 6.6, +3 - 4.5. After testing and finding I was 4.5 I ate a bacon sandwich to help prevent my BG falling too far.
All carbs (= Sugars) will elevate BG, but how fast the rise happens depends on the glycaemic index,the GI, of the food. High GI foods are absorbed rapidly but low GI foods take longer to digest and this helps flatten any peak.
A competent HCP who specialise in diabetes should be able to advise you about your personal BG control targets, as though there are general 'truths', targets are not a 'one size fits all matter.
(I'm T2 and insulin controlled)

 

[Peeny]

I'm not on medication, just diet controlled. In 8 months I have lost 44lb, my bs is in the 'normal' range,between 4.3 and 6 ish, and my last HbA1c was 35 - I started at 87. My nurse was very happy with me.

 

[rebrascora]

I'm not on medication, just diet controlled. In 8 months I have lost 44lb, my bs is in the 'normal' range,between 4.3 and 6 ish, and my last HbA1c was 35 - I started at 87. My nurse was very happy with me.

In that case, it is highly likely that you got away with enjoying your piece of cake. Yes, sweet sugary food can spike you faster than "lower GI" foods although even that very much depends upon the individual but since you are currently in the normal HbA1c range having pushed your diabetes into remission then a piece of cake every once in a while should be fine. It is important however to make sure those treats don't become too regular an occurrence as it is all to easy to undo all the hard work you have done and the diabetes return. I don't think you need have any real concerns about causing damage when your diabetes is in remission.

Many congratulations on the fantastic results that you have achieved both with weight loss and HbA1c reduction. Hope you are very proud of yourself and feel so much healthier for it too.

 

[helli]

Different foods spike at different times after eating.
People who treat their diabetes with blood sugar lowering medication, such as insulin are very aware of this - we have fast acting carbs such as dextrose or jelly babies to help us recover from a hypo within 15 minutes. On the other hand, pizza can spike about 5 hours after eating.
The advice to test 2 hours after eating is a compromise/approximation when most foods will spike. Only with a CGM or Libre do we see when the spike occurs.

 

[Peeny]

In that case, it is highly likely that you got away with enjoying your piece of cake. Yes, sweet sugary food can spike you faster than "lower GI" foods although even that very much depends upon the individual but since you are currently in the normal HbA1c range having pushed your diabetes into remission then a piece of cake every once in a while should be fine. It is important however to make sure those treats don't become too regular an occurrence as it is all to easy to undo all the hard work you have done and the diabetes return. I don't think you need have any real concerns about causing damage when your diabetes is in remission.

Many congratulations on the fantastic results that you have achieved both with weight loss and HbA1c reduction. Hope you are very proud of yourself and feel so much healthier for it too.

I haven't been told that I am in remission, I saw my nurse in July, and won't see her until February next year. I do not eat cake often, to be honest this diagnosis has knocked me for six, so I have been trying very hard to eat the right foods. I will not be spoiling all my hard work. Thank you for the encouragement, it is much appreciated xx

 

[rebrascora]

I'm not on medication, just diet controlled. In 8 months I have lost 44lb, my bs is in the 'normal' range,between 4.3 and 6 ish, and my last HbA1c was 35 - I started at 87. My nurse was very happy with me.

Your nurse should be totally ecstatic and so should you!
I appreciate I jumped the gun a little talking about remission because technically you need 2 consecutive HbA1cs in the normal range without medication for that but you are certainly on target to get there so a small piece of cake every once in a while is certainly not something you should avoid or begrudge yourself. We all need a treat every now and then!
Your results are inspirational!

 

[KARNAK]

Good morning @Peeny some great info on this thread by fellow members,
congratulations on your great results we love it when a member can post
good results and encourage other members to keep at it although unwittingly
sometimes.

Keep up the good work and keep posting to keep us informed on your continued
progress and maybe you can help other members with info you have gained.
well done.

 

[Loobyloo]

I'm not on medication, just diet controlled. In 8 months I have lost 44lb, my bs is in the 'normal' range,between 4.3 and 6 ish, and my last HbA1c was 35 - I started at 87. My nurse was very happy with me.

Wow brilliant results well done!

 

[Peeny]

In that case, it is highly likely that you got away with enjoying your piece of cake. Yes, sweet sugary food can spike you faster than "lower GI" foods although even that very much depends upon the individual but since you are currently in the normal HbA1c range having pushed your diabetes into remission then a piece of cake every once in a while should be fine. It is important however to make sure those treats don't become too regular an occurrence as it is all to easy to undo all the hard work you have done and the diabetes return. I don't think you need have any real concerns about causing damage when your diabetes is in remission.

Many congratulations on the fantastic results that you have achieved both with weight loss and HbA1c reduction. Hope you are very proud of yourself and feel so much healthier for it too.

Thank you so much, I am going to be careful, especially over Christmas.... I know I will struggle, but I must stay strong...lol

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thank you so much, I am going to be careful, especially over Christmas.... I know I will struggle, but I must stay strong...lol

Congratulations on your brilliant progress so far @Peeny

As others have said there are no guarantees, but keeping your BG within the normal range and as even as you can manage, for as much of the time as you can had been shown to help to reduce your risks of damage to eyes, fine blood vessels, nerves and circulation.

Unfortunately some members whose BG changed very rapidly soon after diagnosis, or for no discernible reason are unlucky to see some complications develop despite their best efforts and most careful BG management, which is really unlucky and unfair, but shouldn‘t put you off trying to manage your BG levels, BG variability and BG instability as optimally as you can.

But my feeling is that occasional spikes, while not ideal, don’t generally lead to immediate damage.

 

[Peeny]

Thank you for that, I'm learning so much, but still lots to learn.