Monitoring Blood Sugar

[Plum]

Hi, I've recently been diagnosed with prediabetes -my Hba1c 44- and so I'm trying to adjust my diet to reverse the situation. I've invested in a test kit so I can monitor the effect of different foods on my blood sugars. From what I can see, it's important to check fasting levels in a morning before eating with goal of between 4 and 6 mmol. Then to check after eating to aim for no higher than 7mmol. The thing is, it says check 1-2 hours after eating. Thus may so d a daft question, but sometimes with dinner, the meal may last an hour with chatter. Do I test 1 to 2 hours after I start eating or when I finish eating? Sorry if this is a daft question. It's all so new.

 

[Deleted member 27171]

Hi @Plum

This came up quite recently and I think the general consensus was that there was no general consensus, so either before or after is probably fine for getting an idea of things: http://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/two-hour-test.88390/

Welcome to the forum, I hope you find it useful for achieving your aim to reduce your HbA1c.

 

[Plum]

Thank you Lucy. That link was really helpful. X

 

[Vonny]

Hi @Plum, I have the same issue when we are having a BBQ, as my partner likes to drag that out over a couple of hours. Personally I prefer to eat and get it over with, but perhaps I'm a kill-joy! I've tried doing bloods 2 hours after first mouthful and after half way through, and there's little difference tbh. It's slightly higher if I do it 2 hours after midway, but I've eaten more by then. I don't worry if it's only a point or two difference.

Enjoy your meals with your friend and as long as you are monitoring it at some point after the meal, you're doing well x

 

[Felinia]

Welcome to the forum. You sound like you are doing all the right things, so I hope with a few tweaks you can soon get your HbA1c under 42. May I suggest you work your way through the Learning Zone, as pre-diabetics get virtually no support from the NHS. Most of us on the Forum have reduced our carb intake with successful outcomes. There's lots of helpful advice on food, and recipes. Best wishes

 

[SueEK]

I agree with @Anitram on the time scales and figures but we will all get a slight variation on some days so don’t be disheartened if you go above those figures at times. Sounds like you are on the right track though

 

[Plum]

Hi @Plum, I have the same issue when we are having a BBQ, as my partner likes to drag that out over a couple of hours. Personally I prefer to eat and get it over with, but perhaps I'm a kill-joy! I've tried doing bloods 2 hours after first mouthful and after half way through, and there's little difference tbh. It's slightly higher if I do it 2 hours after midway, but I've eaten more by then. I don't worry if it's only a point or two difference.

Enjoy your meals with your friend and as long as you are monitoring it at some point after the meal, you're doing well x

Thank you Vonny. Your reply helps remove some of the anxiety I've been having about keeping track of my results. It's really kind of you to take the trouble to respond. X

 

[Plum]

Welcome to the forum. You sound like you are doing all the right things, so I hope with a few tweaks you can soon get your HbA1c under 42. May I suggest you work your way through the Learning Zone, as pre-diabetics get virtually no support from the NHS. Most of us on the Forum have reduced our carb intake with successful outcomes. There's lots of helpful advice on food, and recipes. Best wishes

Thank you Felina. I'll take a look at the information you've suggested. I'm sure it'll be really helpful. Thanks for taking the trouble to reply. X

 

[Plum]

Hi,

A fasting test on waking, before eating or drinking anything, is an accurate measure of how well your body is managing your BG in the absence of food or exercise. The target range for Type 2s is between 4 and 7. The post-prandial test, ie after a meal, is ideally done two hours after the first bite but that's sometimes impractical, eg if eating out. Less than 8.5 two hours later are the targets for Type 2s, with the rise from the first bite being not more than 2 or 3.

With a 44 you're in a good position to make some simple lifestyle changes around diet, exercise and (if needed) weight loss to get yourself back into the normal range and a testing regime will definitely help despite what most HCPs will tell you. Whilst a single test on its own isn't particularly meaningful, recording your results (I use a spreadsheet) will show you which way things are going. Keeping a food diary alongside your post-prandial readings will also be a great help in managing your diet.

Martin

Thank you Martin. That's such a clear explanation. What you've said is exactly what I needed to know. I was thinking I had to aim for 7.0 after eating which I was finding very tricky to manage. Aiming for less than 8.5 feels more realistic. I do need to lose weight too, and I'm working on that. I'll certainly take up the idea of recording on a spreadsheet alongside a food diary. That's a good idea and will help me identify the cause if any spikes. It's really great to have support from this forum. Thank you very much x

 

[Plum]

I agree with @Anitram on the time scales and figures but we will all get a slight variation on some days so don’t be disheartened if you go above those figures at times. Sounds like you are on the right track though

Thank you Sue. It can all feel a little overwhelming atm. I appreciate your encouragement, thank you x

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @Plum

You have already received lots of useful advice, so I will just encourage you to fire away with absolutely any questions that arise around your management. Nothing is considered silly on here.

 

[Plum]

Thank you. It's been great to receive your input which is helping me get my head around the numbers. I feel less confused about it all and will keep going with the monitoring. 7.8 or below will be my goal after eating. I must admit that knowing I will be measuring blood sugar makes me think twice about eating the sugary snacks I happily consumed previously It's been an important step in making me think twice about what I'm actually eating. Thanks Martin.

 

[Plum]

Welcome to the forum @Plum

You have already received lots of useful advice, so I will just encourage you to fire away with absolutely any questions that arise around your management. Nothing is considered silly on here.

Thank you. Will do x

 

[SB2015]

Thank you. It's been great to receive your input which is helping me get my head around the numbers. I feel less confused about it all and will keep going with the monitoring. 7.8 or below will be my goal after eating. I must admit that knowing I will be measuring blood sugar makes me think twice about eating the sugary snacks I happily consumed previously It's been an important step in making me think twice about what I'm actually eating. Thanks Martin.

The testing will also give you info about what your body can cope with, and help you decide to make swaps and/or reduce portion sizes.