New and not understanding readings

[waynejohndavies]

Hi all

New to all this, 3 weeks ago I had a fast blood test at the doctors as I was suspected to be diabetic, 10 days ago I was told by the nurse that my results were 106 with anything over 48 meaning I was diabetic. So major life styles changed, diet and more exercise, I was a couple of stone over weight but not stupid bad and went to the gym twice a week, my diet wasn’t great and I did consume a lot of sugar lots and sweets etc. so literally cut it all out overnight and bought myself a blood glucose monitor (finger prick one) took my level last Sunday and it was 8.3? Really good week no auger really good diet less than 1,800 calories a day complex carbs only so thought I would take my blood glucose level again same time a week later both times were about 3 hours after food, this time it registered as LOW and wouldn’t give a reading, what does all this mean, one week high, next week low, should I be concerned, or would the sudden change it diet have something to do with this, should I look at readings everyday? If so after or before food? Doctor wants to carry out a blood glucose test in 3 weeks but really want a better idea myself now.

Sorry for the long mail, not really sure what I am suppose to do.

Cheers

Wayne

 

[Transistor]

You've got a good attitude!

• Recommendations for prick testing are to compare readings from just before eating to 1.5 to 2 hours after eating. The reading shouldn't increase by more than about 2 mmol/mol.
• You'll get dud readings if your hands are wet (causing low) or if you've had your fingers in the jam jar (high) so clean them and dry them before testing.
• I've seen a few posts here where folks wipe away the first drop of blood and squeeze another out for the test strip.
• Make sure there's enough blood for the strip to wick up to the end of the sensor region. Most testers will give an error message if there isn't enough blood.

Normally it's about 12 weeks between HbA1c blood tests as it takes that long for the lifestyle changes to be recorded in the new blood cells. You'll be six weeks into your plan but it might still give a good indication.
Many of us have sorted out our high blood glucose levels by managing our diet and reducing carbs intake to a low level. See my graph below.

So, to answer your question, if you get a suspect reading then try cleaning and drying your hands and taking it again. In my case it's a bit annoying as the dud reading still shows up on my meter history and gets transferred to my phone app.

 

[harbottle]

'Low' normally means extreme hypoglycaemia. If it's that low you'd feel pretty unwell.

Are you on any medication for your diabetes that can cause this? If not, then I'd suspect a dodgy reading.

Fasting readings, pre/post meal readings should give you a good idea of how food is affecting you and how well you are coping with the background glucose generated to keep you ticking over.

8.3 after 3 hours - well the recommendation for T2s are < 8.5 after 2 hours. Try doing a reading then and comparing it with a reading before food. It may be higher than 8.3 then.

 

[waynejohndavies]

Feeling fine really so think it may just be dodgy readings, I am on 2 Metformin a day at the moment, up to 3 next week, I will take BG reading at at regular times in line with what you said and just keep an eye on it all. Thanks

 

[Leadinglights]

The result of 106 mmol/mol your doctor gave you would have been the result of an HbA1C test which is the average blood glucose over the previous 3 months and at 106 is pretty high so it would not surprise me if you were prescribed medication.
The readings you are getting from your monitor are in mmol/l and a measure of your blood glucose at a moment in time and will reflect differences mostly caused by what you eat. It is therefore a useful tool to test what foods and meals are suitable for you without increasing your blood glucose from before you eat to 2 hours after 2-3mmol/l or less is a good indication of the meal being OK.
Morning readings can be useful in checking progress day to day or week to week or if you feel unwell.
Keeping good records of your readings and what your meals are is useful.