Just taken my first blood sugar reading

[Deleted member 33972]

After 3 machines, contacting the company and using 10 strips and very sore fingers I’ve just taken my first blood sugar reading. It just after 16:00 and it’s 6.1 I’ve had an options chocolate drink. Is this a good or bad reading. I ate about 3 hours ago. Hope everyone is having a good/ better day Jeanette

 

[Drummer]

It would be fine for me.
I do see just over 7 when I test 2 hours after eating on days when I have a dessert, but on other days under 7 and that usually gives me a just at the top of normal Hba1c.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi
Sorry to hear you have had problems with BG meters. Which were the ones that cause you difficulty? It is useful for us to know as we like to only recommend reliable equipment.

As regards testing, a reading of 6.1 is within the 4-7 "ideal" range, however it is important to use your BG meter wisely and have a strategy of testing rather than just randomly doing it because BG levels rise and fall quite significantly throughout the day and night as a result of a number of factors, the main ones being food and exercise, but there are about 40 other things which play a part.
The testing strategy which people find most useful here on the forum, is to test just before eating and then 2 hours afterwards and to record what you ate and the readings in a food and drink diary. That way you have (as much as possible) isolated the increase in BG level caused by that meal. After doing this a few times for each meal you will start to see what effect that meal has on your levels generally and decide if it caused too much of a rise (a rise of 3 or more whole units on your meter is too much) and you need to reduce the carbohydrate content of that meal.
It is best not to have snacks or drinks between meals which will impact your levels as this can have an impact on your pre and post meal readings.
I find the Options hot chocolate causes my levels to rise quite a bit and I have to inject insulin to cover it (I am Type 1). When did you have the hot chocolate in relation to testing your blood. If you had only just had it, it might not have had time to hit your blood stream. If it was 3 hours ago then it has probably hit your blood stream and been dealt with. Whilst there isn't any added sugar in it, there are other carbohydrates which can cause your BG levels to rise.

As regards finger pricking. The key thing is to make sure your hands are warm and dry. soaking them n warm water will help a lot, but it is important to dry them well afterwards. When you use the lancing devise, use it to the side of your finger pad instead of the pad itself and don't press the lancing device against your finger hard, just rest it on your finger and then press the button to release the spring. Also, make sure it is on the lowest setting which will allow you to get a reasonable sized drop of blood and don't squeeze too hard as it is the squeezing which will make your fingers sore more than the prick itself. Warm hands really is helpful in making it easier though.

Good luck with it and let us know how you get on with your evening meal.

 

[rebrascora]

You tube is good for visual tutorials of how to use BG Meters if you get stuck again.... or just ask us here on the forum. The Gluco Navii is one of those most regularly used and recommended on the forum, so it may just be that you were unfamiliar with how to use it. You will soon get to be a finger pricking expert like the rest of us. Practice makes perfect as they say. 🙄

 

[helli]

Late morning didn’t sleep very well. 7.4 must have been the tangerines or my medication

Unfortunately, there are many things which can affect our blood sugars.
One is a bad night's sleep

This is why it is important to record your readings and try to look for trends rather than viewing a single reading in isolation.

Remember, managing diabetes and learning all you need it a marathon not a sprint.

 

[rebrascora]

Tangerines, plural? If you are going to have fruit, other than berries which are the lowest carb, it is best to moderate the portion size and or split it throughout the day.... so half an apple with one meal and the other half later. If I treat myself to a banana, I usually have half one day and the other half the next as they are higher carb still.... it is a rare treat. I would be wary of having more than one tangerine at a time.

Was that 7.4 a waking reading ie as soon as you woke up or a before breakfast reading? It can make a big difference on a morning if you get up and make yourself a cup of coffee or whatever before you test as levels often rise quite significantly on a morning after you get up (Foot on the Floor syndrome of FOTF) and sometimes even before you get up (Dawn Phenomenon or DP). If we are taking a waking reading many of us test before we get out of bed to get a clearer picture of what is happening. We then test again just before we eat breakfast and then again 2 hours afterwards. Once you find a breakfast that you enjoy and your body can cope with then you don't need to test that breakfast anymore of maybe just once in a while to make sure nothing has changed. Breakfast is one of the easiest meals to get sorted because most of us have the same breakfast most days. I now have natural Greek yoghurt (whole milk) with berries and seeds and a sprinkle of Low Carb Granola and usually some cinnamon mixed in just because I like the flavour but sometimes I have a little cocoa in it instead and a cup of coffee with cream.