Question about BG levels

[I_am_me]

Hi
Diagnosed Type 2 approx 4 weeks ago (by phone call). Hba1c = 53.
Diabetic nurse off sick! Since than I have been on one heck of a journey. Bought books, read forums, always asking google etc etc.

Week 1: Denial
Week 2: Panic and buy BG monitor (Fab advice taken from here). Started to accept diagnosis and told my family. To be told that my family is riddled with it! Wish I had known this sooner.
Week 3: Cut carbs and follow strict eating regime, learn that cheese and red wine is good... hurrah!
Week 4: Have lost 8lb in two and a bit weeks- that’s a bonus, but average BG levels not really coming down by much. although they are mostly in single figures, despite some spikes of up to 15.8 after I ate an apple and two tangerines. Even 4 small squares of dark chocolate didn't spike me that high.

How long should it take for BG levels to come back to normal levels? And why is my BG levels often higher in the morning (between 8 & 9) than 2 hours after dinner?
Thanks for your advice
T x

 

[trophywench]

Ah the morning problem is one that human beings retain from primeval times (dunno if it's Neanderthal or Homo Sapiens though) - the liver helpfully boosts our blood sugar as we start waking up in a morning, since it is natural for it to drop lower in the early hours, but then it will need energy to get up and get going again in the morning and do stuff. Not a lot you can do to actually completely stop it - but as time goes on, and you get your waking BG in better control, there are a few things you can try, to see if you can minimise it.

Very early days in your journey to do that though, so the suggestions can wait until you're more (bodily) prepared to tackle such side issues.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thanks for the update @I_am_me

Congratulations on the weight loss! And on the terrific start you have made to your life with diabetes.

‘Dawn Phenomenon’ can be a bit of a swine. Some people get a more pronounced BG raising effect than others. For some it is like clockwork in the early hours. For others it only happens when they get out of bed (Foot on the Floor Phenomenon). And for others it can come and go... sometimes quite intense, other times hardly noticeable.

Some forum members find that a lowish carb snack with some fat-protein can help keep the liver feeling fuelled overnight, so that might be worth a try?

Fruit can be variable. Berries are generally found to be the least spiky - perhaps combined with full fat yoghurt? Frozen packs in supermarkets are quite popular.

 

[Drummer]

An apple AND two tangerines - yes, that would give me the same sort of spike.
Although weightloss is a happy side effect of eating low carb, it is just that - the thing to concentrate on is normal blood glucose levels, and you should be perplexing your HCPs with reduced Hba1c levels in short order.

 

[I_am_me]

Thanks for the update @I_am_me

Congratulations on the weight loss! And on the terrific start you have made to your life with diabetes.

‘Dawn Phenomenon’ can be a bit of a swine. Some people get a more pronounced BG raising effect than others. For some it is like clockwork in the early hours. For others it only happens when they get out of bed (Foot on the Floor Phenomenon). And for others it can come and go... sometimes quite intense, other times hardly noticeable.

Some forum members find that a lowish carb snack with some fat-protein can help keep the liver feeling fuelled overnight, so that might be worth a try?

Fruit can be variable. Berries are generally found to be the least spiky - perhaps combined with full fat yoghurt? Frozen packs in supermarkets are quite popular.

Just a quick question: Why does everyone say eat Full fat yoghurt? I usually get the fat free greek style which I love. Is that an error? Oh and I have given up the fruit feasts and have some frozen berries in the freezer. Thanks for the tips x

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Just a quick question: Why does everyone say eat Full fat yoghurt? I usually get the fat free greek style which I love. Is that an error? Oh and I have given up the fruit feasts and have some frozen berries in the freezer. Thanks for the tips x

Not an error at all (and much easier to find!). I think full fat yoghurt tends to be suggested on the forum for two reasons... One is that low fat yoghurt can be higher in carbs than full fat (either because things are added to improve texture and flavour, or simply because there is more lactose in it with the fat reduced)

And also because the fat in full fat yoghurt can help to slow the absorption of any carbs in anything you eat with it.

 

[silentsquirrel]

Although the difference in carbs for plain Greek style yogurt is minimal, the full fat version will fill you up much more, so you are less likely to be tempted by carby food afterwards!