The old dawn phenomenon thing

[Kathy1960]

Hi guys - even though I had an hba1c of 36 - which I could hardly believe - my readings on waking over the last three months have ranged between 8.7 and 6.3 with the majority being in the 7s and only a few in the 6s. I don't really understand how I can have a normal range hba1c and these higher than normal blood sugar readings. Is this ok? Do you think it will be causing any long term probs? And any ideas on how to get the waking levels down? xx

 

[Northerner]

Hi guys - even though I had an hba1c of 36 - which I could hardly believe - my readings on waking over the last three months have ranged between 8.7 and 6.3 with the majority being in the 7s and only a few in the 6s. I don't really understand how I can have a normal range hba1c and these higher than normal blood sugar readings. Is this ok? Do you think it will be causing any long term probs? And any ideas on how to get the waking levels down? xx

Hi Kathy, how soon after waking do you test in the mornings? I've been using a Freestyle Libre and it's shown me that throughout the night my levels are perfectly stable - often in the mid-4s to 5s. However, as soon as I raise my head from the pillow and get up the levels are already climbing! As an example, this morning I opened my eyes, and tested - 4.8. Five minutes later I was 6.4 and still climbing! 😱

Like you, I have a very decent HbA1c and have been a little confused by getting waking levels that seem to contradict it. However, looking at the Libre graph I can see that I spend all night with very good numbers - this is a third of each day that I am spending with good numbers, and there are other lengthy periods during the day when I am nicely in range. In fact, the Libre tells me I am currently 90% in range, with 5% above and 5% below 🙂

I suspect you are similar. Your tests are just snapshots and don't tell the story of all the hours when you are probably nicely within range 🙂 Also, even the 6s and 7s are highly unlikely to be damaging, so don't fret when you see them 🙂

 

[Robin]

And any ideas on how to get the waking levels down? xx

If you find anything, let us know! Seriously, since I've been using the Libre, I've discovered my overnight levels are washing-line shaped. A steady curve downwards until 3am, segueing into an upwards curve from then until I get up.

 

[Ditto]

An interesting thread, I didn't realise there could be such a difference. I potter about a bit before taking my first reading, might have to take it asap and see what's what. The only way I try to keep early morning levels down is to eat dinner quite early, no later than 6 and make that the last thing that I eat but I know others can't do that.

 

[Kathy1960]

I get up, go for a wee then go down to the kitchen and test straight away - if I remember! So about five to to ten minutes after getting up and always before I eat or drink anything. I'm going to try taking my meter to bed and testing before I get out of bed. That's very interesting what you said Northerner and reassuring that the 6s and 7s are unlikely to be damaging. It would be so interesting to have levels continuously monitored - maybe I could have a go witham free style?! I might try and remember to test my levels if I wake up in the night. I think I would find it very hard not to eat after six Ditto - but it would be a good experiment to try once or twice and see how it affedted my levels. x

 

[Ljc]

I Usually Test as soon as I wake up I've found Mine goes up and occasionally down by 2.0 ish if I go for a wee and retest. and higher by the time I bolus for brekkie.

 

[Greyhound Gal]

I don't get out of bed before I test! If I have a libre on I just raise my head, reach out my arm for it and swipe 🙄, or if not I just swing my legs over the side to do a blood reading. If I wait until I've been downstairs, taken tablets, let dogs out and fed them, made a brew and gone back to bed, then it's risen, and always rises before brekkie.