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Question about readings

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Salinda

Active Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi there,
I have been testing my sugar for a couple of weeks and on the whole I am pleased with the results which are well within the range set for me by the Diabetes nurse. However I don't really understand why I would have a higher reading before breakfast than the before bed reading. I don't see the nurse for another week so I can't ask her.
Thanks.
 
Salinda said:
Hi there,
I have been testing my sugar for a couple of weeks and on the whole I am pleased with the results which are well within the range set for me by the Diabetes nurse. However I don't really understand why I would have a higher reading before breakfast than the before bed reading. I don't see the nurse for another week so I can't ask her.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Hi Salinda,

Its a common feature of Diabetes called the Dawn Phenomenon (DP). The liver kick starts your day by releasing a burst of glucose (to get you up and running) at or around dawn.
Its not a problem for non-diabetics. There are various suggestions for tackling it e.g. a snack of slow acting carb before bed.

check out ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_phenomenon
 
Thank you! I will stop worrying.
 
Hello I have similar situation with the dawn effect, every one reacts differently but I found that if I made sure I had main evening meal before 8 in the evening and then a few nuts as a bedtime snack I got lower waking up readings. Best results when I also take dogs for a brisk walk about an hour before bed time. Some say that having breakfast quite soon after you wake up settles it down again because your body stops feeling the need to generate sugar... I feel safe to experiment a little as the levels are generally low but I feel a sense of achievement if I wake up at 5.8 rather than 7 or so. Some advise a small protein snack at bedtime.
 
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I'm still trying to work out the best way to deal with the dreaded DP. The rest of the day is fine but the stupid 7's and 8's I wake up to are keeping my averages higher than they would be, or should be without. Nothing I've tried has worked so far. XXXXX
 
What sort of readings do you get through the evenings, Faith?
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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