Readings after dinner

[Newtothis]

Just a quick question - immediately before a dinner of lean pork/salad my reading was 6; 1hr later my reading is 5.4. Can sugars go down after eating or do I need to re-rest. Will re-test after 2hrs anyway but is this possible? Amanda x 🙂

 

[Northerner]

Your levels will fluctuate through the day for a variety of reasons, possible due to variations in the amount of glucose being put out by your liver, being active earlier in the day, the time of day and your relative insulin sensitivity etc. so you might expect to see something like you have just experienced as the meal appears to contain minimal carbs (and therefore no direct impact on your levels). Also bear in mind that meters are only required to be accurate within +/- 10%, so the 5.4 could actually represent a true reading of 6.0, but showing 10% under that (if you see what I mean 😉)

 

[Newtothis]

Your levels will fluctuate through the day for a variety of reasons, possible due to variations in the amount of glucose being put out by your liver, being active earlier in the day, the time of day and your relative insulin sensitivity etc. so you might expect to see something like you have just experienced as the meal appears to contain minimal carbs (and therefore no direct impact on your levels). Also bear in mind that meters are only required to be accurate within +/- 10%, so the 5.4 could actually represent a true reading of 6.0, but showing 10% under that (if you see what I mean 😉)

Thank you - I get so confused I did an hour on the cross-trainer earlier today and then had a satsuma and glass of water. Do I need to test prior to and after exercising or just when I eat; and do I really have to have starchy carbs with each meal? also re: my question earlier re: cholesterol. Could I lower mine if I have reduced the amount of saturated fat/salt in my diet. I have fatty liver so cut out cheese; cream; pastries; anything I knew contains saturated fat. GP has said liver will repair itself so not to worry and that my liver function is fine. This is how I found about about diabetes; googled fatty liver; diabetes mentioned I then asked for a blood test; fasting came back at 7.4; random at 11.7, prior and since then no symptoms. Although my brother having type 2 was a bit of a give-away.🙄

I ask you sooooo many questions; you should do private consultations and charge (only joking.....🙄

Thanks again, Amanda x

 

[Northerner]

As you are not on medication, you probably don't need to test before and after exercise - that is something people on insulin or certain pills need to do to check that their levels don't drop too low (or to check they are not too high to start with - don't worry about that because levels need to be really high in comparison to what yours are!). It's probably worth keeping your meter near though in case you feel a bit odd so you can check if needs be - also a sugary drink or jelly babies/dextrose tablets to be fully prepared 🙂

As for cholesterol, I think that all the steps you are taking will have you pleasantly surprised at your next test 🙂 And carbs with every meal is a 'standard' piece of advice given out, but it has to be said it's not something many experienced people with diabetics would think necessary. I have been known to have bacon and eggs and not suffered as a consequence! Some people omit carbs altogether, but that can result in removing a great deal of flexibility from your diet, so very much a personal choice and should only be done with the agreement of your doctor so you can be sure of getting all the necessary nutrients 🙂

That'll be ?50 😉

 

[Newtothis]

As you are not on medication, you probably don't need to test before and after exercise - that is something people on insulin or certain pills need to do to check that their levels don't drop too low (or to check they are not too high to start with - don't worry about that because levels need to be really high in comparison to what yours are!). It's probably worth keeping your meter near though in case you feel a bit odd so you can check if needs be - also a sugary drink or jelly babies/dextrose tablets to be fully prepared 🙂

As for cholesterol, I think that all the steps you are taking will have you pleasantly surprised at your next test 🙂 And carbs with every meal is a 'standard' piece of advice given out, but it has to be said it's not something many experienced people with diabetics would think necessary. I have been known to have bacon and eggs and not suffered as a consequence! Some people omit carbs altogether, but that can result in removing a great deal of flexibility from your diet, so very much a personal choice and should only be done with the agreement of your doctor so you can be sure of getting all the necessary nutrients 🙂

That'll be ?50 😉

- Do you take American Express?

Thank you. Amanda x

 

[Northerner]

- Do you take American Express?

Thank you. Amanda x

You're welcome 😉 Never worry about asking questions, it's (one of ) the reason(s) we're here! 🙂

 

[Newtothis]

You're welcome 😉 Never worry about asking questions, it's (one of ) the reason(s) we're here! 🙂

Thank you - much appreciated. By the way my 2hr reading was 5.1. So prior to dinner 6; 1hr later 5.4; 2hrs later 5.1. I don't need to eat anything before I go to bed do I?? 🙂

 

[Northerner]

Thank you - much appreciated. By the way my 2hr reading was 5.1. So prior to dinner 6; 1hr later 5.4; 2hrs later 5.1. I don't need to eat anything before I go to bed do I?? 🙂

No, it's only people at risk of hypos that might need to 'cover' themselves overnight. Those are pretty excellent numbers 🙂

 

[Vicsetter]

Those are numbers to die for Alan. It's good to see you taking your Diabetes seriously, carry on like that and you should have many trouble free years without tablets or injections.

You really ought to be testing just to see what foods do what to you, so next time you have ham/salad again don't bother testing. I only test these days before a meal so I can adjust the meal to the reading I get.

P.S. I have a merchant terminal and accept Visa/Mastercard (also Paypal)

 

[Andy HB]

Amanda, I had fatty liver at diagnosis too. I have really cut out the saturated fat in my diet. Practically no cheese any more (I was a cheddar cheese freak before ... never was without a block in my fridge). I also replaced my butter/margarine with the Olive Spread (light) from either Tesco or Sainsbury's (they seem to be the same).

Anyway, my last scan around 6 months ago was completely clear (that was about 12 months post diagnosis). So, the liver is quite capable of sorting itself out.

Andy 🙂

 

[Northerner]

...You really ought to be testing just to see what foods do what to you, so next time you have ham/salad again don't bother testing. I only test these days before a meal so I can adjust the meal to the reading I get....

A very good point - only do tests that are going to inform your future decisions and gain understanding. It's possible to become too accustomed to testing 'just to see what my level is' - I know this because it happened to me until I realised that I wasn't doing anything useful with some of the results! I'm not saying you are doing this Amanda as you are still on that steep learning curve, but it's something to bear in mind. 🙂

 

[Newtothis]

A very good point - only do tests that are going to inform your future decisions and gain understanding. It's possible to become too accustomed to testing 'just to see what my level is' - I know this because it happened to me until I realised that I wasn't doing anything useful with some of the results! I'm not saying you are doing this Amanda as you are still on that steep learning curve, but it's something to bear in mind. 🙂

Thanks guys; I'm not going to test on foods I've already tested on and have good numbers such as bergen bread and poached egg. Many thanks for all your support; my reading was 4.8 this morning; lowest yet and I've lost another pound and a half; making a grand total of 25 1/2 pounds since July. Only another stone to go and hopefully be within my weight and BMI range. Horaaayyyy Amanda x🙂

 

[Northerner]

Thanks guys; I'm not going to test on foods I've already tested on and have good numbers such as bergen bread and poached egg. Many thanks for all your support; my reading was 4.8 this morning; lowest yet and I've lost another pound and a half; making a grand total of 25 1/2 pounds since July. Only another stone to go and hopefully be within my weight and BMI range. Horaaayyyy Amanda x🙂

Lots of gold stars for all your efforts Amanda! Well done! 🙂

 

[Lairyfairy]

FANTASTIC Amanda. Well done.

The thing I like about you is that you are not afraid to ask ... and I love reading the replies because I find out all sorts of things that I never knew and hadn't thought to ask about. So keep up with the great 'Poirot/Marple' mind 🙂
Lynn

 

[Katieb]

Thanks guys; I'm not going to test on foods I've already tested on and have good numbers such as bergen bread and poached egg. Many thanks for all your support; my reading was 4.8 this morning; lowest yet and I've lost another pound and a half; making a grand total of 25 1/2 pounds since July. Only another stone to go and hopefully be within my weight and BMI range. Horaaayyyy Amanda x🙂

You're doing a brill job Amanda! Dead proud of you! Hugs. Katiexx

 

[Newtothis]

You're doing a brill job Amanda! Dead proud of you! Hugs. Katiexx

Thanks Kate; pretty chuffed with myself this morning...(about time....) Big hug (((())))) Amanda x 🙂

 

[Newtothis]

Those are numbers to die for Alan. It's good to see you taking your Diabetes seriously, carry on like that and you should have many trouble free years without tablets or injections.

You really ought to be testing just to see what foods do what to you, so next time you have ham/salad again don't bother testing. I only test these days before a meal so I can adjust the meal to the reading I get.

P.S. I have a merchant terminal and accept Visa/Mastercard (also Paypal)

Now where did I put my credit card......🙄
Big hug, Amanda x 🙂

 

[Newtothis]

Amanda, I had fatty liver at diagnosis too. I have really cut out the saturated fat in my diet. Practically no cheese any more (I was a cheddar cheese freak before ... never was without a block in my fridge). I also replaced my butter/margarine with the Olive Spread (light) from either Tesco or Sainsbury's (they seem to be the same).

Anyway, my last scan around 6 months ago was completely clear (that was about 12 months post diagnosis). So, the liver is quite capable of sorting itself out.

Andy 🙂

Thanks Andy, my GP was annoyed that the guy who did the scan told me I had fatty liver; the report from the hospital said in big red letter 'TELL PATIENT - NORMAL'. I did a stupid thing and googled it and fell apart for 3 weeks; worrying about Cirrosis and liver failure etc... I have also cut out all saturated fats; (cream cakes/pastries were my downfall and thick butter on slabs of crusty bread mmmmm); to be honest cutting out the goodies 🙄 , cheese; chocolate; crisps; pastries; biscuits; hasn't been such a problem because I know I can have them in moderation if I wanted to; I just ate them because they we're there..mind you I have saved a packet and have reduced the number of headaches I have and my IBS. Amazing what food does to you..... Amanda x 🙂