Fasting blood sugar count

[Deborara]

Hi,
I was diagnosed with T2 in October last year, but I've only just been given a blood glucose meter. I was just having bloods taken every 3 months. I read about people reading their own bloods more often so asked at the doctor's if I should be doing this and they were surprised i hadn't been given a meter....
Anyways, I've had this meter a couple of months now & would like help in understanding the numbers.
I have just taken a 'fasting' test about an hour after I've woken up but before I've eaten anything and the reading was 8.9. is this good/bad/normal. TIA

 

[Kaylz]

Hi there 🙂
it is a tad on the higher side but some people find that their fasting levels are the last ones to come down, also as it was done an hour after you were up I wouldn't say it was accurate as a waking, try doing it as soon as you wake before you even get out of bed if you can as some people find their glucose levels rise as soon as they put their feet on the floor xx

 

[Deborara]

Hi there 🙂
it is a tad on the higher side but some people find that their fasting levels are the last ones to come down, also as it was done an hour after you were up I wouldn't say it was accurate as a waking, try doing it as soon as you wake before you even get out of bed if you can as some people find their glucose levels rise as soon as they put their feet on the floor xx

Thanks for the advice Kaylz!

 

[Northerner]

Hi,
I was diagnosed with T2 in October last year, but I've only just been given a blood glucose meter. I was just having bloods taken every 3 months. I read about people reading their own bloods more often so asked at the doctor's if I should be doing this and they were surprised i hadn't been given a meter....
Anyways, I've had this meter a couple of months now & would like help in understanding the numbers.
I have just taken a 'fasting' test about an hour after I've woken up but before I've eaten anything and the reading was 8.9. is this good/bad/normal. TIA

Hi Deborara, welcome to the forum 🙂 Great that you have been given a meter so you can monitor what's happening with your levels 🙂 Normal range for blood sugar readings is between 4 and 7 mmol/l, so your 8.9 is not too far above, given that you are fairly new to this 🙂 Actually, one of the things you mention might account for the level you report - the fact you took a reading an hour after waking. There is something called 'dawn phenomenon' that can cause your levels to climb higher as you wake and before you eat. This happens because your liver releases extra glucose into the blood as we wake in order to give us an energy 'boost' for the day. When you have diabetes though, the mechanisms that would keep this from climbing above 7 mmol/l aren't working correctly, so we'd rather do without that boost! I'd suggest trying testing as soon as you wake - before your feet have even hit the floor! - and this may give you a more accurate number of how your levels have been overnight 🙂 Also, having something to eat tells the liver to 'switch off' this boost as it then knows you are no longer in 'starvation mode' so doesn't need to release extra glucose any more 🙂 Preferably, choose something low, or no-carb to eat, like scrambled eggs, as this will help your levels better than having something carby, like toast or cereal. 🙂

Ah, the workings of the human body! 🙄

I'd recommend reading Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S to understand how you can use your meter readings to help you tailor your diet to your own unique tolerances. Knowing how your food choices affect your levels will help you to make wiser choices as you will know what you tolerate well and what you need to avoid, and people can vary considerably in this, it's a very personal thing 🙂

Do let us know if you have any more questions and we will be more than happy to help - we've all been where you are now! 🙂

 

[Deborara]

Thanks for this! Very informative for a 'newbie'
I'll take a reading in the morning as I wake to see if it's much different to this morning's.
So, the earlier I have breakfast the better?
I used to love eggs, but since starting low carb (about 3 weeks ago) I've become bored of eggs already
Thanks again

 

[Martin Canty]

Hi Deborara, welcome to the group

A little on the high side, but don't worry about it.... Now you are testing you will now be able to monitor your D much more closely & adjust your lifestyle to achieve good numbers. I do like the part that your Dr. is in support of testing.

 

[Deborara]

My doctor has been really good since diagnosis

 

[HOBIE]

Welcome Deborara 🙂

 

[Drummer]

I eat low carb to control my type 2 - I tested myself about an hour ago and got 5.6mmol/l so I think it is working. I was diagnosed 13 months ago, got down under the diabetes level for Hba1c after 80 days. Have lost over 40 lb, and still keep having to refuse 'treatment' and 'advice on a healthy diet' for cholesterol.