Just trying to learn

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

Batandball41

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
At risk of diabetes
Hi all,

I was diagnosed as pre diabetic in July and since then I’ve been trying to learn what I could. I think I’m making progress, I’ve lost weight and have been testing the foods I’m eating.
Anyway I thought I’d look around here and no doubt learn .

Thanks
 
Batandball41 said:
Hi all,

I was diagnosed as pre diabetic in July and since then I’ve been trying to learn what I could. I think I’m making progress, I’ve lost weight and have been testing the foods I’m eating.
Anyway I thought I’d look around here and no doubt learn .

Thanks
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum, good on you that you have taken the diagnosis seriously and are taking steps to get things on track for reducing your HbA1C rather than it drifting upwards.
Losing weight and getting more exercise helps but dietary changes are the most important. It sounds as if you have been testing how well you tolerate foods and that will both tell you what you can safely eat and what it is best to reduce your portion, cut out or have occasionally.
This link may give you some new ideas for a new way of eating. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/ if low carb is something you are trying.
 
Leadinglights said:
Welcome to the forum, good on you that you have taken the diagnosis seriously and are taking steps to get things on track for reducing your HbA1C rather than it drifting upwards.
Losing weight and getting more exercise helps but dietary changes are the most important. It sounds as if you have been testing how well you tolerate foods and that will both tell you what you can safely eat and what it is best to reduce your portion, cut out or have occasionally.
This link may give you some new ideas for a new way of eating. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/ if low carb is something you are trying.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply.

Yes I’ve been testing what I have been eating and now my diet is populated by foods I can tolerate only ( unless I make a mistake!!)

I have read Dr Unwins work and it’s great stuff but thanks for the link.

BTW my testing has been by finger prick but also by using a CGM which I’m entranced with, fantastic device.

I have questions about average glucose levels/ dawn effect and possibly fat adaptation ( sorry if terminology is incorrect)

Can you tell me the best forum to post these questions please ?

Thanks
 
You can ask them on this newbie thread if you like...
 
Oh and "Hello and welcome" from me too and well done for taking the initiative and starting to manage your health. It sounds like you have made just the sort of start we would recommend.
 
I have a question/questions with regards to my progress. I’m very pleased with my progress but I want to understand correctly what I am seeing.
I am attaching a screenshot of today and what my CGM is showing me ( I have done calibration tests using finger pricks so I know the CGM is in the right range.

As can be seen my BG is generally in a good place and there are no spikes , I’ve consumed 3 meals today ( I fast from 5pm to about 7pm)

To be honest I’m more than happy, no spikes and CGM estimates A1B to be 5.5%.

However I have seen other people’s CGM graphs that have a lower base level of glucose to mine and in wondering what are the reasons? By base levels I mean through the day or even overnight, mine in 6 plus others I’ve seen with stable BG are just above 5.

I’ve read about the dawn phenomenon which I can see clearly in my own graphs but my glucose stays relatively higher through the day.

My questions are what causes this slightly raised condition and will it correct itself in time?

I doubt I’m correct but I’m hoping that what I'm seeing is the release of stored glucose from visceral fat. In other words my body is trying to work properly again. IMG_1180.pngI’m hoping that at some time the fat will be used and a new lower equilibrium be reached.

Anyway it’s all speculation on my behalf and I would truly welcome some informed opinions.
 
It may be that that level is just normal for you or it may be you will see a gradual lowering as you lose more weight if you have more to lose. Are you just tackling things through diet or are you also increasing exercise/activity. I find the latter particularly helpful for lowering my basal insulin needs (I am Type 1) which is pretty much responsible for my baseline levels ie the insulin required to deal with output from the liver.

It's a really great graph by the way.... Well done on making the progress you have.
 
rebrascora said:
It may be that that level is just normal for you or it may be you will see a gradual lowering as you lose more weight if you have more to lose. Are you just tackling things through diet or are you also increasing exercise/activity. I find the latter particularly helpful for lowering my basal insulin needs (I am Type 1) which is pretty much responsible for my baseline levels ie the insulin required to deal with output from the liver.

It's a really great graph by the way.... Well done on making the progress you have.
Click to expand...
Thanks Barbara,

I walk my dog multiple times daily over hills and dales , mostly 10000 steps
I’m 65 but I’m using “this” as a springboard, once I’ve lost about another 8 kgs I’m going to attempt a couch to 5K, we will see.

So I think you are saying more exercise might kick things lower?
OR
It might be that my “ normal “ base level is higher than I’ve seen?

Fascinating subject IMO .

Thank you very much
 
Don't forget many of the graphs you see are from those with Type 1 and people using injected insulin so it may not be a fair comparison as you are relying on your own insulin production with may be effective over a different time scale.
You are getting much more information from the Libre than you would by testing with a finger prick . Those checking with a finger prick would be aiming at 4-7mmol/l fasting /morning readings and before meals and no more than 8-8.5mmol/l 2 hours post meal. People will often test their morning reading to avoid the Foot on the Floor phenomena where the liver tries to be super helpful and releases glucose to give you energy for organs to function and to go and hunt for breakfast, a hang over from our ancestors, as that can make a difference. There appears nothing one can do about it if Type 2.
 
Leadinglights said:
Don't forget many of the graphs you see are from those with Type 1 and people using injected insulin so it may not be a fair comparison as you are relying on your own insulin production with may be effective over a different time scale.
You are getting much more information from the Libre than you would by testing with a finger prick . Those checking with a finger prick would be aiming at 4-7mmol/l fasting /morning readings and before meals and no more than 8-8.5mmol/l 2 hours post meal. People will often test their morning reading to avoid the Foot on the Floor phenomena where the liver tries to be super helpful and releases glucose to give you energy for organs to function and to go and hunt for breakfast, a hang over from our ancestors, as that can make a difference. There appears nothing one can do about it if Type 2.
Click to expand...
Thank you .

Yes I’m aware that by using a CGM I have more information that I would be just using conventional finger prick testing.
By the usual metrics my blood is looking normal. I’m well within 4 - 7 before meals and 8.5 2 hours after eating .

If I was doing just finger prick testing I probably wouldn’t be questioning things !

The charts I’ve seen were published by T2 sufferers in remission but I do take your point.

Thank you
 
Batandball41 said:
Thank you .

Yes I’m aware that by using a CGM I have more information that I would be just using conventional finger prick testing.
By the usual metrics my blood is looking normal. I’m well within 4 - 7 before meals and 8.5 2 hours after eating .

If I was doing just finger prick testing I probably wouldn’t be questioning things !

The charts I’ve seen were published by T2 sufferers in remission but I do take your point.

Thank you
Click to expand...
I have never used the Libre and found finger pricking gave me good information on which to make dietary changes.
I would rather spend the money on good quality food than faffing with a Libre. I know they are wonderful bits of kit and have revolutionised how people on insulin manage their blood glucose and can be useful for people to get a better understanding how their body responds to carbs as long as they appreciate it's limitations.
 
Errrrrr, didn't think you could calibrate Libre?
 
That's quite a modest rise in the morning from baseline. It may not be enough to worry about or affect hba1c much. I see slightly higher levels a short time after I get up and have been getting ready for work/sorting out kids, but it usually drops right down by the late morning and sometimes earlier, depending on what I'm doing.

I find a walk brings it right down to the 4s and it sometimes stays there for a while.

Are you doing low carb? Low carb can actually cause the pancreas to become less responsive to glucose (I believe beta cells react to a fairly wide range of levels, up to 6.6, before they release insulin.) and also make muscles more insulin resistant. It's the body adapting to a lack of dietary fuel.

Glucose isn't stored in visceral fat, but excess glucose can be converted to fat and stored in the body, which I believe is what happens when people are insulin resistant. (Normally it's stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen).
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top