Newbie Here- bit concerned.

[Mrsmmo9]

Good morning.
I was wondering if someone could shed some light on something for me?
I have recently started monitoring my blood glucose levels.
I’ve done two morning levels - one was 6.8mmol/L and today’s was 7.5mmol/L
I’ve been made aware by a friend with diagnosed diabetes that these levels are high for a non-diabetic person. I don’t want to waste a doctors time if these levels are normal, or likely to occur for anything other than diabetes.
I’m very overweight and although I’ve been trying to lose weight- nothing is shifting.
thanks.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @Mrsmmo9 . Glad that you have found us.

Normal levels are between 4-7 but those without diabetes will rise above this after food sometimes. You mention that you have done some morning readings. We’re these before or after breakfast?

I don’t think it would be a waste of time to get checked by your doctor. There are some simple tests including the HbA1c. This measures your average glucose over the last three months, and gives a clearer picture than spot tests done by finger pricks. They can also check other factors. If these tests pick up that you have diabetes, it then enables you to address this, and make adjustments.

There is an online tool in this website (I will try to drop in the hyperlink to it ) which gives you an indication of your risk of developing T2 and gives advice around following this up.

Do come back with any other questions.

 

[Mrsmmo9]

Thank you. These levels were upon waking before drink or food.

 

[Inka]

@Mrsmmo9 As you have some risk factors and have done a couple of tests that suggest the possibility of your body not working as efficiently as it should, I’d ask for an HbA1C blood test at your surgery. That’s the test used to diagnose diabetes whereas the home glucose meters aren’t for diagnostic purposes.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Mrsmmo9

Sorry to hear about your worries.

Probably worth mentioning that home fingerstick monitors aren’t really rated for diagnostic purposes, because of the allowable margins for error (both of your results could have been taken from the same drop of blood with 2 different strips within the ISO requirements) - however, most monitors perform better than that, so it would be worth checking with your Dr and asking for an HbA1c which is now the preferred diagnostic check.

If you wanted to check out other risk factors, you could try the ‘know your risk’ tool which @SB2015 mentioned

Diabetes UK – Know Your Risk of Type 2 diabetes

Many people are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes without realising it. Answer the following seven questions to find out your risk and what to do next.

riskscore.diabetes.org.uk

If it shows you are at risk, you can refer yourself to the National Diabetes Prevention Programme for extra support.

At risk of diabetes? You can refer yourself for extra support

As part of a pilot programme, people at risk of developing T2 diabetes in England can now refer themselves for additional supoort as part of the NHS diabetes prevention programme. (If you live in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland you will still need contact your GP if your risk is moderate or...

forum.diabetes.org.uk

 

[rebrascora]

An HbA1c is the only way to know, if you can persuade your GP to do it or get one done privately but if you know that you have risk factors like being overweight and perhaps not exercising enough, you could tackle those issues and perhaps reduce your carb intake over a few weeks and see if that improves your levels. That way, you are proactively dealing with the situation as if you had a diagnosis but without the need for it.

 

[Pine Marten]

Good advice from rebrascora about losing weight if you need to, @Mrsmmo9, as that will help a lot.

Otherwise, welcome to the forum 🙂 and let us know how you get on.

 

[Felinia]

Hello and welcome

That early morning jump in your blood sugar? It's called the dawn phenomenon or the dawn effect. It usually happens between 2am and 8 a.m. Generally, the normal hormonal changes your body makes in the morning will boost your blood sugar, whether you have diabetes or not. If you don't, your body just makes more insulin to balance everything out. You don't even notice that it's happening.

Why don't you start a food diary and be brutally honest, including your portion sizes? When you look at it, you may get an idea of why you are not losing. If you use an online tool or app that measures calories, you might see at a glance where your problem lies. As you are at risk, you could start by cutting back on your carbs ie bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, pastries, processed food. That will benefit your glucose levels and reduce your calories.