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andy1

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Type 2
Hello, I have been type 2 for about 3 years, previous to that was borderline for 10 years, I'm a fitness trainer and at 59 still coach clients 4-5 times a day, I am not a fit as I used to be but still doing on average 5 10k steps per day, up early at 0520 bed is 1100, I have a sleep most days for 40 - 100 minutes, I get tired all the time, had a MI at 42 they inserted a stent, I'm on Candesartan, sertraline, bisoprolol, aspirin, atorvastatin, metformin, allopurinol for gout, also calcium magnesium/vit d3, AZ Multi vit. two high dose turmeric/black pepper capsules per day.

I monitor my BP and Glu /UA regularly, recently last week notice my levels were high, ( I don't eat until 0800, when I am up at 0520 3 x weekly I only have one coffee, then I go to do a bootcamp) my food I think is good, breakfast is nearly always porridge, with defrosted dark cherries and blueberries, lunch is soup and wholemeal bread 2/3 slices, 2-3 cups of real coffee every day, never after 6pm, water 2 litres per day, evening meal, red meat once weekly, fish 3 times weekly, chicken 3 times, not many carbs, do have rice 1 x weekly, pasta 3-4 times weekly, alcohol 1-2 beers weekly, occasional red wine weekly.

bp is good

so Glu levels at 0730 172/9.4 borderline
0800 146/8.0
170/9.3 high borderline
0900 no breakfast 189 high

0730 no breakfast 9.6 high borderline

I have been taking 500mg twice daily slow release metformin, for 6 weeks, previously it was only 500mg daily.

I don't understand why my Glu is so high, any understanding would be much appreciated, I am also 24% body fat, muscular, short and stocky/athletic type I don't check my BMI because I am also classed as over weight! (12stone 2).
Very interested in any positive criticism ! also a year ago had depression, that was awful.
Thank you in advance Andy
 
Welcome to the forum @andy1

Sounds like to work hard to look after yourself, and keep fit and active.

Must be frustrating to see glucose levels that are a little higher than the recommended range despite all your efforts :(

It might be helpful to keep track of your daily carbohydrate intake - as I am sure you know, it’s not just sugars but all carbohydrates that raise blood glucose levels. And it currently seems like the metformin is not quite able to balance with your overall carb intake.

It may also be helpful to eat a small snack sooner after waking? Part of the circadian rhythm can involve a release of glucose from the liver either in the early hours, or just after getting out of bed - the body firing up the burners for the day - having something low-carb (perhaps a protein/fat combo) can switch off the liver dump and reduce the BG rise?
 
Hello and welcome Andy!

I am not Type 2 but a lifelong Type 1. Although I know a number of diabetics the majority are Type 2 and one a Type 1.5. I was also on the committee of a diabetes support group for a decade.

Your BGs are too high and could have long term consequences. One thing you have to remember that although Type 2 is lifestyle related (with a dash of genetics and luck) is is also age related, By 80 1 in 3 people will be diabetic to some degree which is why the cheap high carb meals dished out by the cate sector are so wrong. If Metformin is not doing the trick you may need a change of medication or even insulin. Speak to your GP and if unhappy ask for a referral to a diabetic clinic.

I would also suggest you have a medication review as you are taking a lot of meds and supplements. Make sure the reviewer is aware of all the supplements as at times there are contradictions.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.
 
Oh… and it might be helpful to check immediately before and again 2hours after various meals just to see whether there is a specific source of carbs that your body finds difficult, or to find the right portion size. For example, you might find that one slice of bread with soup is about your limit, or that seedy breads are better than wholemeal. Or that breads altogether are more difficult.

Reactions to foods can be surprisingly individual (and slightly nonsensical at times!) so it helps to choose the right sources of carbohydrates for your particular gut biome, as well as looking for the right portion sizes.

Looking for a BG rise of no more than 2-3mmol/L from a meal is a good benchmark
 
Hi, Andy. Welcome to the Forum.
Unfortunately 2-3 slices of wholemeal bread with your soup, and pasta 3-4 times a week, won't be helping your BG levels. Nor will rice. Cutting portion sizes can help, as will making swaps - riced cauliflower for rice, switching to a non-grain pasta such as red lentil pasta, for example.

Testing just before eating and then again 2 hours later helped me develop a sustainable low carb diet, as it enabled me to see how different meals affected my BG.
 
Yes just looking at your carbohydrate intake that could very easily explain the high blood glucose levels you are seeing.
Metformin does not magically make the carbs in your meals disappear but works in the background helping the body use the insulin it produces more effectively and reduces the glucose the liver releases.
Have a look at this link for some better suggestions for meals which would be lower carb than what you are currently having.https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Some before and after meal testing would help you see how you are tolerating those. The suggested amount of carbs per day is no more than 130g.
Hopefully being a fitness instructor you should have a good idea and understanding about nutrition.
Some people see higher blood glucose readings in the morning as the liver releases glucose in the absence of food to give you energy and for your organs to function.
 
Another vote for testing just before and then 2 hours after those meals. Porridge is controversial. Some diabetics can get away with it and it lives up to it's reputation of being slow release, for others like me, it is like rocket fuel. Are they sweet cherries or sour cherries? I always buy the sour ones as they are lower carb. Bread is my nemesis so I just don't eat it anymore. Eating 3 slices with soup is likely pushing your luck. You might get away with one. Again pasta is made with wheat and is high carb and has a reputation for pushing levels up and keeping them there long after the meal is finished. Wholemeal versions of bread and pasta and brown rice have almost the same carb content as white so whilst the fibre they contain is good for your general health, the carbs are not good for your diabetes, so you are better getting fibre from other sources and reducing the portion size and frequency of eating or avoiding those foods and finding an alternative.
 
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