High fasting blood sugar, normal post-prandial

[janeybee56]

Hi there. I am posted as someone who hasn't been diagnosed, but my dad was diagnosed with type 1 at around my age, so I keep an eye on my blood sugar. I've been following a keto(ish) diet and reduced eating window for the whole of this year. My fasting blood sugar can sometimes be quite high though - this morning it was 6.7! I am a bit worried so hoping for some advice (and yes, I will go to the doctor as well). thank you for welcoming me.

 

[janeybee56]

Hello everyone

I have not been diagnosed (though have a father who is type 1) and so keep an eye on my blood sugar with a home kit. I am 50, around the same age as my dad was when he was diagnosed. Recently, my fasting morning blood sugar has been 6. something. However, after I've eaten it comes right down to about 5. Can't work it out! I have been following a keto diet and doing intermittent fasting, so I wonder whether that's had an effect. Can anyone shed any light?

 

[Inka]

Hi @janeybee56 🙂

Have you had any symptoms to make you think you have diabetes? Your after-meal result is excellent - and non-diabetic 🙂

If you’re worried about Type 2 rather than Type 1, you could request an HbA1C test from your GP that will give an idea of your blood sugars over the last 3 months. This can be used to diagnose or rule out Type 2 diabetes.

 

[Inka]

I’d also add that the blood glucose meters aren’t 100% accurate and have a permitted margin of error of around 15%.

 

[rebrascora]

Firstly, 6.7 is not high..... but, if it is higher than you normally see, then it may be due to something called Dawn Phenomenon. It can be more apparent at this time of year because dawn is so early, so there is a greater length of time for your BG to slowly creep upwards before you wake up. Some people find it starts in the early hours long before they wake up, other people find that it doesn't kick in until they get out of bed and get going. Some people here on the forum find that they need to test the moment they wake up as their BG starts to rise as soon as their feet hit the floor. I can be up and about for 15 mins before I start to see it taking effect but it will take my readings up by 6 whole units if I don't inject for it and some people do not seem to exhibit DP at all.

I would take great comfort in the fact that your post prandial readings are so good, although I appreciate you are eating very low carb.... I do too.... but I have to inject insulin to cover protein if I don't eat carbs, so your pancreas is clearly working well to deal with that. If you were getting fasting readings of 9 or 10 then I would say that that would be the time to speak to the doctor, but even then, those are not what most of us would consider high readings. High would be mid to high teens.

I can understand you wanting to remain vigilant when you have diabetes in the family but please don't worry too much, especially when you are getting such great readings.

 

[trophywench]

May I enquire whether you have any children yourself and if so, did you have Gestational diabetes at that time? Whilst NOT having it doesn't rule out T2 later on, it does definitely make T2 later much more likely.

 

[janeybee56]

thank you so much everyone, you've been very reassuring. I waited a few hours and at around 4pm, just before I ate for the first time today, it was 5.1, so I've relaxed somewhat. Thank you so much for your kind advice. I do have a daughter, Jenny, yes, but I didn't have gestational diabetes. I am just getting my knickers in a twist because of my dad I think, but these high readings in the mornings do go on a bit, so I need to keep an eye on it. Very many thanks to you all again. Jane.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @janeybee56

It did sound to me like you might have been observing Dawn Phenomenon - part of the body’s circadian rhythm - which everyone experiences to a greater or lesser degree.

Glad your mind has been put at rest a little 🙂