Newbie needing advice and support!

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Drummer said:
Sorry @Garlo but oats are a grain, and all grain is high carb.
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That doesn't mean someone can't have them though. I have them sometimes as overnight oats but I watch my portion size, having found out via testing that I can comfortably handle 20g.
 
Another thing to bear in mind with your apparent low readings on Libre @Garlo is the algorithm that the device is using to try to reduce the lag between interstitial fluid and capillary glucose from 10-15 minutes to approximately 5 minutes.

I am sure this is covered in the ‘CGM precautions’ post that @helli linked to, but effectively the algorithm tries to look ahead based on current value and trajectory and estimate where glucose values are likely to be in the next 5-10 minutes. This is generally very accurate and helpful, but there can be occasions where glucose levels are changing rapidly (and particularly where they are rising/falling and then abruptly change direction) where Libre scans ‘overshoot’, and show a reading that you never actually reach, and then later iron that out with their 5 minute averages plotted as the sensor trace.

You might also find this study reassuring, which shows glucose variation recorded in healthy individuals (without diabetes) via CGM.

Welcome to the forum!
 
Drummer said:
Sorry @Garlo but oats are a grain, and all grain is high carb.
I have been told that I can eat oats (and other carbs) and be just fine - well - no, I'm not - and am never going to be - and it is not me being delusional, or anyone else trying to deal with type 2 diabetes either. Labelling a food low GI or GL is just nonsense when it doesn't do anything but cause a spike every single time.
To get normal results I eat under 40 gm of carbs a day, but I had a long long history of being unable to cope with carbs, but was always being advised to eat carbs as they are healthy.
Hopefully you have been diagnosed far earlier than I was, so by cutting down carbs you'll return to a more normal metabolism and get normal HbA1c numbers.
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Yeah Drummer, I was very surprised by the oats thing tbh. I've just found the "Carbs and Cals book" online (which I've bought) so I can better understand what the quantities of carbs I should be mindful of (and what that might physically look like on a plate (as weighing foods might not always be a readily available option). I'm on he pre-diabetes/ diabetes "cusp" right now - so I do have an opportunity (if my body will let me!).

I feel I'm likely to buy an awful lot of some foods - and not of others! Lol! 2024 - year of nutritional experimentation!
Inka said:
It depends on the individual @Garlo as to how they react to certain foods. It also depends on the kind of oats you have. The best are the jumbo oats - the thick ones that take, say, 6 or so minutes to cook. It also depends on what you accompany your oats with - and, importantly, the portion size. Many people eat more cereal than the recommended portion. A set of digital scales can help you make sure you’re having the right size portion.

For carb information, just look on the packet or box. You can also use the supermarket websites as most of them have the Nutritional Info for foods.
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Thanks for your helpful response. Much appreciated!
rebrascora said:
Delighted to hear you have an enlightened GP. Sadly many are not.

Regarding accuracy or error range, those f us who are insulin dependent are told to accept our finger prick BG meter result as being more reliable than CGM and BG meters generally have a 15% error margin, so CGM will be slightly higher than that. We try not to use the term accuracy because there is no way to establish the absolute value of BG at any given time. Most of us who are insulin dependent compare our BG meter result to our Libre results at various times for various reasons. Generally Libre reads lower than BG for me by about 1mmol, particularly at low levels. On the rare occasions that I get into the teens Libre reads very slightly higher but some people find that it exaggerates by more than 1mmol in double figures. Other people find that it can be 2mmols or more out. It seems to agree with some people's body chemistry better than others. I absolutely love Libre and it is consistent for me within those parameters I have described with my body but the number of times it has alarmed and given me a reading in the high 3s and I have been mid to high 4s with a finger prick makes me a little skeptical of some of it's low readings. Sometimes you can feel "low/hypo"" when your levels are dropping fast particularly from a higher level, but it isn't actually too low. In those circumstances 1 jelly baby (5g carbs) is usually enough to steady it. If you are eating a nut bar or an apple you are likely having 3x as many carbs as you actually need. 5g carbs is generally considered capable of raising your BG levels by 1.5mmols. An apple or nut bar is going to be about 15g carbs, maybe more, so then your body has to release more insulin to deal with that extra glucose. I appreciate that fruit is healthier than eating jelly babies, but since you are not needing very fast release carbs like those of us wo are insulin dependent, maybe consider just one dried apricot or prune as that equates to about 5g carbs. A dried fig or date is a bit sweeter at about 8g carbs.
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Thank you rebrascora! Since yesterday, I have started paying less attention to the "highs" and "lows", and consequently (although perhaps a little too early to substantiate), my "highs" and "lows" seem a little less extreme (if that makes sense). I think I'd got myself into such a state, that I was releasing cortisol/addenaline type stuff each time I prepared to put any form of food in my mouth...which I "think" may not have helped with readings. Does that make sense?


I think one of my bigger struggles is understanding quantity of carbs. Really useful to understand that "this food" equates to "this amount of carb". Yesterday, I ordered the Carbs and Cals Pocket Counter (with useful visuals) and the the ones that's not the "pocket" version. One for at home. One for when I'm away! 🙂

Mmol/L in range. Lunch beckons...followed by swift walk (and a smaller carb snack taken in case of a glucose "dip"). Incidentally, what kinds of time do people do any exercises after eating? I usually bomb out around 10-15 mins after eating. Is that "ball park" kind of OK?
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Another thing to bear in mind with your apparent low readings on Libre @Garlo is the algorithm that the device is using to try to reduce the lag between interstitial fluid and capillary glucose from 10-15 minutes to approximately 5 minutes.

I am sure this is covered in the ‘CGM precautions’ post that @helli linked to, but effectively the algorithm tries to look ahead based on current value and trajectory and estimate where glucose values are likely to be in the next 5-10 minutes. This is generally very accurate and helpful, but there can be occasions where glucose levels are changing rapidly (and particularly where they are rising/falling and then abruptly change direction) where Libre scans ‘overshoot’, and show a reading that you never actually reach, and then later iron that out with their 5 minute averages plotted as the sensor trace.

You might also find this study reassuring, which shows glucose variation recorded in healthy individuals (without diabetes) via CGM.

Welcome to the forum!
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Thank you!! This is immensely useful! 🙂 And much appreciated!
 
Martin.A said:
That doesn't mean someone can't have them though. I have them sometimes as overnight oats but I watch my portion size, having found out via testing that I can comfortably handle 20g.
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Less is more Martin! 🙂 . I've experimented with x1 tbsp of Lizi's no added sugar granola..with nuts and x3 tbsps of full fat yogurt - and that seems to be OK (ish), albeit when I tend to have it, it coincides (ish) with my natural "dawn spike" and the most stressful time of day (school run and starting work).
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Another thing to bear in mind with your apparent low readings on Libre @Garlo is the algorithm that the device is using to try to reduce the lag between interstitial fluid and capillary glucose from 10-15 minutes to approximately 5 minutes.

I am sure this is covered in the ‘CGM precautions’ post that @helli linked to, but effectively the algorithm tries to look ahead based on current value and trajectory and estimate where glucose values are likely to be in the next 5-10 minutes. This is generally very accurate and helpful, but there can be occasions where glucose levels are changing rapidly (and particularly where they are rising/falling and then abruptly change direction) where Libre scans ‘overshoot’, and show a reading that you never actually reach, and then later iron that out with their 5 minute averages plotted as the sensor trace.

You might also find this study reassuring, which shows glucose variation recorded in healthy individuals (without diabetes) via CGM.

Welcome to the forum!
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Thanks everydayupsanddowns! And thanks for the welcome! What you write providesme with further reassurance around not taking readings too literally (although they are still a useful and reasonably accurate guide). It's funny you should mention forecasting/trajectory (e.g. 5-10 mins in advance). As, in the live monitoring home page (on my Libre 2 app), I've noticed the "above 8's" and the "below 3.9's", sometimes disappear on the daily graph reports that the app produces. I can only assume that this is an example of "overshoot"? I haven't figured out how to delve into raw data within the app (or even if it'll let you).
 
15 -20 walk post meal tends to work for me, and, you are right, being stressed makes you more insulin resistant, so blood sugars can rise.
I have to pretty much double the insulin i need on work days to account for this
 
Garlo said:
Hi folks,

I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic (42 mmol/L) in April 2023, and reaffirmed in November 2023 (48 mmol/L).

Being right on the "cusp" in November, accelerated and deepened my lifestyle changes. This included: cutting calories and upping exercise. Lost about 8-9 pounds on lead up to Xmas, put 4lbs on after Xmas (had a bit of an "Xmas blow out"), then, on Jan 2nd...I started my Freestyle Libre 2 GMS.

WOW! Now I'm really frightened. Actually frightened. And need some words of wisdom (which I'm also seeking from NHS - but it takes a bit more time) around the results from the monitor. EVERY carb, I seem to spike (with exception of Ryebread...in which I spike slightly less.

I should add, I'm hardly eating any quantity of carbs.

I'm often within range (around 5.2-6 mmol/L) when I start eating, and more often than not, over the course of 45 mins or so - I spike to around 10-10,6 mmol/L. and then come down (often whilst out speed walking) to the point where my glucose level goes below 3.9 mmol/L and I need a snack bar or apple. Is this normalish pattern of behaviour for Type 2 D or prediabetic?

Time in range (3.9 to 8 mmol/L) is 90%.


I've observed 3 lows in a week (one at night and 2 after lunchtime walk). Both times I've snacked. and BS goes back within range.


Am I being sensible/cautious? Or overtly overconcerned/ paranoid? I'm absolutely worried myself sick...which has probably actually made things worse! Doh!

Any help in interpreting stats from the GMS would be lovely. The internet is a minefield!!!!
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The numbers and terminolgy can be a bit confusing and difficult to get your head around. If you put the time in to read what is posted here and on The Net you'll find it more clear I'm sure. And if you test every day you can also do a bit of prediction with the A1c blood test.
 
RichardsUsername said:
The numbers and terminolgy can be a bit confusing and difficult to get your head around. If you put the time in to read what is posted here and on The Net you'll find it more clear I'm sure. And if you test every day you can also do a bit of prediction with the A1c blood test.
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Yes the units used can be confusing but are important when quoting blood glucose levels. The results of the HbA1C test are in mmol/mol but you sometimes see people using the old units which were in % but it was changed so as not to get confused with finger prick results which are in mmol/l but would be giving the same sort of numbers as HbA1C if % was used.
 
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