Newly diagnosed After food blood levels

[rebrascora]

Yes, no problem. The forum is here to ask questions and hopefully you will get answers from several people rather than just me. The benefit of the forum is that you get a range of views and experience from different people because diabetes is not the same for any of us. My answers to your questions might not be the best fit for your body and your diabetes, so getting a range of answers helps you to have different options to try to find what works for you and your body.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sounds like you are off to a good start after a pretty scary and frightening time @StephenB

Be kind to yourself, and acknowledge how well you are doing. It’s a lot to get your head around, but it will get easier.

We had a thread here where people offered tips and hints they wish they had learned earlier on their diabetes journey which might give you a few helpful nuggets?

5 Top Tips for Better Diabetesing

Just found myself absently wondering what I would say to myself if I could go back in time ‘Bill and Ted’ style and offer newly-diagnosed-me some hints and tips for better diabetes management, and a better relationship with my diabetes from future-me. What 5 hints and tips I might offer myself...

forum.diabetes.org.uk

 

[Maz2]

Hi, yes I have contact with the hospital diabetic nurses and the nurses at my doctors and they say I'm doing everything right, but then I have nurses that say eat whatever you want and one I saw the other day said stop being so strict on the way I'm trying to deal with it and the carb counting and have cheat days and this is just blowing my mind, I need consistency and other people's experiences would be so very helpful for me.

I was told I should have treats but obviously not all the time. I am pre-diabetic, back to normal, back to bottom end of pre-diabetic again though. I have no knowledge of Type 1 at all I am afraid.

 

[StephenB]

If I sit down after a meal, eg eat my meal then just move to the sofa and sit there watching TV for two or three hours, my blood sugar will go higher than if I’m active after the meal. Sometimes I’ll need more insulin (called a correction dose) if it goes really high. Conversely, if I eat my meal, pick in the washing, put the bins out and/or take the dog for a 15 or 20 minute walk, my blood sugar will come down. I find it easier to control my blood sugar after a meal if I’m a little bit active. Some days I just go up and down the stairs putting things away, and even that helps.

It’s unusual for your blood sugar to go up unless you lie/sit after a meal - very unusual. It could be that lying/sitting makes you feel more relaxed whereas being active makes you anxious and stressed, so the stress is pushing your blood sugar up. It could also be that your insulin doses aren’t quite right yet. If you want, you could experiment by eating the same easily countable evening meal a few nights in a row and try various activities to see what happens to your blood sugar. If you go out for a brief walk, remember to take hypo treatments with you.

Generally, exercise will lower blood sugar (eg a walk or a swim). However, some people find very vigorous activity will raise it (eg sprinting). Don’t let the Type 1 stop you exercising. Build it up gradually and cautiously week after week @StephenB

Hi, thanks for messaging me. Hope your well. I went for a 15 minute walk today after my morning meal, I think it helped to bring my levels down quicker then normal. I'm going to do the same for the next few days and build up the time I'm walking for. I'm also considering a little exercise bike I can use and gradually build up.

I found with the laying down after Eating, if my levels raise to say 12-13mmols that within 10-20 minutes they lower to 11.5-10.5mmols. But, often when I get up and move they raise again, so over time I don't know how much difference it makes. I forced myself to not lay down yesterday and today I only layed down for 35 minutes. I think I'm laying down in the peak time and time is passing and looking like it's brought it down, but if I was to stay up and active there's a good chance it would work the same. I'm going to keep testing it this week and I'll let you know how it goes. Yesterday my finger Test was 8.1 before meal, then on the Libre went up to 13.1mmols about 2.5 hours later. But, 6 hours later was down to 7mmols on finger test, so I though that wasn't too bad. I will say that the Libre showed as 13.1mmols but later when I veiwed the chart it had only raised to 12.7 (the Libre changed it!!??)

I should also mention that I've also been laying down due to stomach pains (not connected to diabetes) I have a pollop sist on my gowl bladder and am currently seeing the doctor about it (been for a blood test / scan / and been A+E about it, also been prescribed quite strong pain relief for it)

Thanks for all your help

 

[StephenB]

If I sit down after a meal, eg eat my meal then just move to the sofa and sit there watching TV for two or three hours, my blood sugar will go higher than if I’m active after the meal. Sometimes I’ll need more insulin (called a correction dose) if it goes really high. Conversely, if I eat my meal, pick in the washing, put the bins out and/or take the dog for a 15 or 20 minute walk, my blood sugar will come down. I find it easier to control my blood sugar after a meal if I’m a little bit active. Some days I just go up and down the stairs putting things away, and even that helps.

It’s unusual for your blood sugar to go up unless you lie/sit after a meal - very unusual. It could be that lying/sitting makes you feel more relaxed whereas being active makes you anxious and stressed, so the stress is pushing your blood sugar up. It could also be that your insulin doses aren’t quite right yet. If you want, you could experiment by eating the same easily countable evening meal a few nights in a row and try various activities to see what happens to your blood sugar. If you go out for a brief walk, remember to take hypo treatments with you.

Generally, exercise will lower blood sugar (eg a walk or a swim). However, some people find very vigorous activity will raise it (eg sprinting). Don’t let the Type 1 stop you exercising. Build it up gradually and cautiously week after week @StephenB

Hi again, I just wanted to ask whether you typically experience in raises to your levels after you have a meal??

Mine seems to raise between 4-6mmols.

I also waited 21 from taking my injection, before my first meal today. It raised from 8.2mmols (finger test) to 12.2 on Libre and has now come down to 9.3 on Libre. So, this seems to be better then the last 2 days.

Would really appreciate your thoughts,
Many thanks

 

[Inka]

Well, lying down because you’re in pain is absolutely fine @StephenB Don’t do anything that hurts you or makes you feel uncomfortable.

I’m glad you managed a short walk. That sounds ideal 🙂 As I said, even pottering around the house can help.

 

[Inka]

Hi again, I just wanted to ask whether you typically experience in raises to your levels after you have a meal??

Mine seems to raise between 4-6mmols.

I also waited 21 from taking my injection, before my first meal today. It raised from 8.2mmols (finger test) to 12.2 on Libre and has now come down to 9.3 on Libre. So, this seems to be better then the last 2 days.

Would really appreciate your thoughts,
Many thanks

Yes, I often get a rise after meals. It can vary. Today, for example, I was able to have my breakfast insulin at the right time and consequently it was working to control the rise from my breakfast. So, I went from 6.0 on waking to 6.9 before breakfast, up to 8.5 around 2hrs after breakfast, which then fell down to the 5s. Sometimes I’ll go up to 10 or 11, sometimes I’ll only go up to 7 or less. Sometimes that’s due to my actions (taking the mealtime insulin at the right time, etc) and sometimes it just varies for no obvious reason. Many things can affect our blood sugar.

Early after diagnosis, I was told to stay below 13 if possible, but right after diagnosis it was below 15. At some point I was then told 11 or below, so as you gain practice your targets can be tweaked a little. I can’t stress enough how much learning and gaining of experience Type 1 needs. I’ve had 30 years of it and I still don’t get things right all the time. Perfection is impossible. Aim for the best you can do at that time. It’s still early days for you and it sounds like you’re doing well 🙂

 

[helli]

@StephenB it looks as if you have some great advice from the forum already.
So, I only have one thing to add and that is to ask whether the highs you are seeing are from a finger prick or from your LIbre. The reason I ask is that Libre (and other CGMs) are kind of designed to be most accurate at "normal" levels (usually between about 4 and 9 mmol/l). They have a tendency to get excited when outside this range and may over egg the highs (and lows). So, the 15mmol/l you are seeing on your LIbre, may be a bit less if you checked with a finger prick.
As a long timer, the insight I get from a CGM is amazing but they have limitations which we mostly learn through forums like this rather than DSNs or CGM manufacturers. This thread is often referenced in this regard - https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/cgm-limitations-and-precautions.108188/

Please continue to ask questions or just have rant when things are frustrating or laugh/celebration when things go well.
There are many helpful members on this forum. As type 2 is most common, there are more members with type 2. So I recommend checking our avatars when things sound a little controversial or contrary to what you expect - whilst everyone wants to be helpful, sometimes we get a bit confused when writing about another type.

 

[rebrascora]

Given you a gold star for your post above, both for going out for a short walk and prebolusing a little further in advance and getting less of a spike but also in thinking through the situation with you lying down and that it may just be that you are lying down when your levels reach their natural peak from the meal and are then starting to come down with the insulin, rather than that the lie down is helping. Thinking things through and trying to come to the most logical conclusion rather than just seeing a BG response and attributing it to just one thing you have done, is an important part of managing diabetes. As we've said it is complicated and you have to be careful about drawing any conclusions without testing a few times and trying to eliminate any other possible causes before making your mind up.

I am a bit concerned to hear about the stomach pain you are experiencing with the cyst on your gall bladder, as this may be pancreatitis and in fact you may not actually be Type 1 but Type 3c diabetic. How long have you had the issues with your gall bladder? The pancreas and gall bladder are close neighbours and gall bladder problems are known for triggering pancreatitis which is inflammation of the pancreas..... which is of course where insulin is produced. If your pancreas is persistently inflamed the tissue can start to die (necrotize) and it them can't function properly.

Diabetes type is categorized by the cause of the diabetes. Type 1 is where the body's immune system attacks the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas, so it is an autoimmune condition. This can be confirmed by testing for the antibodies that result from the autoimmune attack. Type 2 diabetes is metabolic and linked to the build up of visceral fat in and around the liver and pancreas. Type 3c diabetes is where the pancreas is damaged by disease, trauma or surgery. Pancreatitis is one of the main causes of Type 3c diabetes I believe. It can be acute, in which case people are extremely ill and at risk of dying and often need to spend time in intensive care or chronic where it grumbles on causing pain and discomfort but not usually life threatening, sometimes this can go on for years. Are you under a specialist for your gall bladder issues and if so, have they mentioned pancreatitis? The pancreas also produces digestive enzymes as well as insulin and if that function is also affected, you will likely start to lose weight and have bowel issues.... Anyway, I just thought I would mention about pancreatitis and Type 3c diabetes since you have pain in that area and a cyst on your gall bladder, which can trigger it and might explain your diabetes suddenly getting worse and needing insulin.

 

[StephenB]

Yes, I often get a rise after meals. It can vary. Today, for example, I was able to have my breakfast insulin at the right time and consequently it was working to control the rise from my breakfast. So, I went from 6.0 on waking to 6.9 before breakfast, up to 8.5 around 2hrs after breakfast, which then fell down to the 5s. Sometimes I’ll go up to 10 or 11, sometimes I’ll only go up to 7 or less. Sometimes that’s due to my actions (taking the mealtime insulin at the right time, etc) and sometimes it just varies for no obvious reason. Many things can affect our blood sugar.

Early after diagnosis, I was told to stay below 13 if possible, but right after diagnosis it was below 15. At some point I was then told 11 or below, so as you gain practice your targets can be tweaked a little. I can’t stress enough how much learning and gaining of experience Type 1 needs. I’ve had 30 years of it and I still don’t get things right all the time. Perfection is impossible. Aim for the best you can do at that time. It’s still early days for you and it sounds like you’re doing well 🙂

It seems like you've got really good control over it, I really hope I get there one day. I'll carry on trying the things you have mentioned and let you know how I get on later in the week. I'm definitely hearing that trying to keep perfect levels is near on impossible, so I'm trying to take it easier on myself a little.

Thanks again for all your help

 

[StephenB]

Given you a gold star for your post above, both for going out for a short walk and prebolusing a little further in advance and getting less of a spike but also in thinking through the situation with you lying down and that it may just be that you are lying down when your levels reach their natural peak from the meal and are then starting to come down with the insulin, rather than that the lie down is helping. Thinking things through and trying to come to the most logical conclusion rather than just seeing a BG response and attributing it to just one thing you have done, is an important part of managing diabetes. As we've said it is complicated and you have to be careful about drawing any conclusions without testing a few times and trying to eliminate any other possible causes before making your mind up.

I am a bit concerned to hear about the stomach pain you are experiencing with the cyst on your gall bladder, as this may be pancreatitis and in fact you may not actually be Type 1 but Type 3c diabetic. How long have you had the issues with your gall bladder? The pancreas and gall bladder are close neighbours and gall bladder problems are known for triggering pancreatitis which is inflammation of the pancreas..... which is of course where insulin is produced. If your pancreas is persistently inflamed the tissue can start to die (necrotize) and it them can't function properly.

Diabetes type is categorized by the cause of the diabetes. Type 1 is where the body's immune system attacks the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas, so it is an autoimmune condition. This can be confirmed by testing for the antibodies that result from the autoimmune attack. Type 2 diabetes is metabolic and linked to the build up of visceral fat in and around the liver and pancreas. Type 3c diabetes is where the pancreas is damaged by disease, trauma or surgery. Pancreatitis is one of the main causes of Type 3c diabetes I believe. It can be acute, in which case people are extremely ill and at risk of dying and often need to spend time in intensive care or chronic where it grumbles on causing pain and discomfort but not usually life threatening, sometimes this can go on for years. Are you under a specialist for your gall bladder issues and if so, have they mentioned pancreatitis? The pancreas also produces digestive enzymes as well as insulin and if that function is also affected, you will likely start to lose weight and have bowel issues.... Anyway, I just thought I would mention about pancreatitis and Type 3c diabetes since you have pain in that area and a cyst on your gall bladder, which can trigger it and might explain your diabetes suddenly getting worse and needing insulin.

Thanks for your message, I'm seeing the doctor again on Friday I will definitely mention this. The stomach pains have been for about 8 weeks. I've been from Hospital where i was prescribed Lansorl, to the doctors how set up a blood test and ultrasound scan. They both come back fine Other then the pollop sist. And then back to the doctors as my belly pain continued and he gave me pain relief and said to attend A+E so they could run test's if they thought necessary. At A+E I was examined, they thought it was appendicitis and then ruled it out after a further examination, blood and urine test's.

Do you think the test's including the scan would've detected if it were a pancreas issue??

Please let me know, I will definitely mention it to my doctor on Friday. Sometimes the pain isn't as bad as others and hasn't got worse over time, it's remained the same.

Thanks again, Steve