High morning numbers!

[Katieb]

Hi all

As some of you know, my numbers are always on the high side in the morning (for me). They hover around 6 and no matter what I do I struggle to reduce them! I have tried no carbs in the evening, small carbs in the evening, snack before bed, exercise before bed - all to no avail! Even 3 stones lighter my morning reading still hovers around 6! This week they have crept up to mid 6s and for the first time (for me) hit a 7! I have discovered that a low fat yogurt and berry fruits bring them back down nicely though. This morning waking bg 6.4, yogurt and strawberries, then 2 hour reading 4.9.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions to help me? This seems to be my 'hot spot' and try as I might, I can't get the numbers down! Katiex

 

[Northerner]

Hi Katie, waking around 6 may be perfectly normal for you, and is still within the desirable range. As you probably know, most people get a little boost of glucose from their liver in the morning, so it's not unusual to be a bit higher at this time than you might be as the day progresses.

It's possible that you are currently harbouring an infection which may not be showing any other symptoms, and this is causing the recent rise - I usually know when I am going to end up with a cold because my levels rise before there is any other evidence, and often two or three days in advance!

 

[Katieb]

Thanks for the reassurance, Alan, although according to my GP anything 5.9 or above is considered above normal. If that is the case, my bg is still above normal a year after diagnosis and despite losing a significant amount of weight/modifying my diet it remains so. Looking at the numbers reported on here, mine seems higher than most people's in the morning which is why I stopperd recording it on the waking bg thread. I guess I feel a bit despondent that I can't get even close to 5! However, through the day my bg stays within the 4-7 range mostly, so am I worrying too much? Katie

 

[Northerner]

Thanks for the reassurance, Alan, although according to my GP anything 5.9 or above is considered above normal. If that is the case, my bg is still above normal a year after diagnosis and despite losing a significant amount of weight/modifying my diet it remains so. Looking at the numbers reported on here, mine seems higher than most people's in the morning which is why I stopperd recording it on the waking bg thread. I guess I feel a bit despondent that I can't get even close to 5! However, through the day my bg stays within the 4-7 range mostly, so am I worrying too much? Katie

I would say that your GP is quoting an 'ideal world' figure of 5.9 as an upper limit and that to stray above this for a short period in the mornings is probably not unusual. The remainder of the day, your numbers sound excellent. 🙂 Also, bear in mind that many of the people posting on the waking levels thread are using insulin, and this can result in lower numbers if the amount of insulin is just a little too much. And people vary - my HbA1c has been as low as 5.2%, but I know people whose HbA1c is in the low-4s - I would never get mine that low, yet for them it is normal.

Finally, remember that meters are not entirely accurate - they can be 10% out either above ot below. Don't feel that your efforts in reducing your weight and changing your diet have gone to waste - you will have got significant benefits to your health and well-being all round! 🙂

 

[cherrypie]

Thanks for the reassurance, Alan, although according to my GP anything 5.9 or above is considered above normal. If that is the case, my bg is still above normal a year after diagnosis and despite losing a significant amount of weight/modifying my diet it remains so. Looking at the numbers reported on here, mine seems higher than most people's in the morning which is why I stopperd recording it on the waking bg thread. I guess I feel a bit despondent that I can't get even close to 5! However, through the day my bg stays within the 4-7 range mostly, so am I worrying too much? Katie

Dear Katie,
It is not a competition when people report their fasting numbers here, it really only shows you what their liver is up to.

Your numbers are excellent as Alan say, you are doing all the right things and should be proud of yourself.

 

[Katieb]

Thanks to both of you for replying. I guess that when my waking bg hit 7 for the first time in 12 months this week, I panicked a bit! the logic should be that lifestyle changes should stop this from happening, but as you say we are all different and I maybe need to stop worrying so much!

Cherrypie, I know that the waking bg thread is mostly Type 1s/insulin dependent diabetics, but can't help comparing myself with the other Type 2s on metformin/D & E only! I try not to, but can't help myself sometimes then feel so inadequate! Thanks for reminding me that we are all different and shouldn't compare sometimes! I guess I'm still a bit stressed and I have my review coming up in a few weeks and so want to have made a difference! Ho hum, I can only do what I can do! Katiexx🙂

 

[cherrypie]

Dear Katie,
I am including another post because you seem so low about it all. (((hugs)))

Please don't get despondent, you are doing really well and if you stress about not having perfect numbers in the morning, then the stress will cause your numbers to rise.

This article may be of help to you, it is U.S.based. The numbers are converted at the end of the article.
http://www.diabetesdaily.com/edelma...ple-with-type-2-diabetes-why-when-what-to-do/

 

[Katieb]

Dear Katie,
I am including another post because you seem so low about it all. (((hugs)))

Please don't get despondent, you are doing really well and if you stress about not having perfect numbers in the morning, then the stress will cause your numbers to rise.

This article may be of help to you, it is U.S.based. The numbers are converted at the end of the article.
http://www.diabetesdaily.com/edelma...ple-with-type-2-diabetes-why-when-what-to-do/

Good article! I see some of my 'triggers' there! Haven't been sleeping well due to stress (dissertation deadline looming and hate my job!), not been exercising as much (dissertation deadline looming!) and snacking more than usual (cutting carbs too drastically in the day, then hungry in the evening, so crackers and cheese!). I can formulate a plan based on these theories, then see if I can make a difference! Swimming in the evening for example - exercise and may aid my sleep. Thanks, Cherrypie - it all becomes much clearer now!🙂 Katiexx

 

[slipper]

Its been the same with me today Katie, all week have been under 4 fasting,(unusually low) today went up to 6.4. I put it down to being a bit unwell this week.

Didn't know that the previous evening had no effect on the morning reading.