• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.

What it all means

Hi @Hurli and welcome to forum - sorry to hear about your diagnosis but glad you have found us - please ask any questions you may have - we're all here to help
 
I'm told I'm type 2 diabetic, so like a lot of folk, ran out and bought a machine. My readings are high after on average a 10 hour fast, but after eating during the day, are a lot lower? I take BP medication, and have hypothyroidism, my sleep pattern is rubbish, I wake up several times through the night. As far as I'm aware, I have no symptoms.
 
Hurli said:
Hi @mashedupmatt
Click to expand...
Great to meet you @Hurli - can you tell us a bit more about your diabetes journey? Have you been prescribed any medication? What was your HbA1c result (Blood test that measures your blood glucose over the last 3 months?)? Have you been advised to make any lifestyle changes to help? No pressure though, share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with...
 
Hurli said:
My readings are high after on average a 10 hour fast, but after eating during the day, are a lot lower?
Click to expand...

If it’s your first reading of the day (sometimes called your fasting reading) which is higher than you are expecting, you may be experiencing the Dawn Phenomenon, which is part of the body’s circadian rhythm. The liver releases glucose in the early hours, or upon rising, to ‘fire up the burners’ for the day, which can mean you wake to a higher level than when you went to bed.
 
I thought that might have something to do with it. I read that if you wake up several times throughout the night, your body can release glucose.
 
mashedupmatt said:
Great to meet you @Hurli - can you tell us a bit more about your diabetes journey? Have you been prescribed any medication? What was your HbA1c result (Blood test that measures your blood glucose over the last 3 months?)? Have you been advised to make any lifestyle changes to help? No pressure though, share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with...
Click to expand...
I've had a reading of 46 for several years. I've had a bit of bother with my endocrine system. The Dr phoned me and said my last reading was 50, she said you're diabetic, you BP is up and your colesterol is up too. Take more amolodapine, which I understand can raise blood glucose, take statins and stop eating biscuits and cake, which I actually don't, lol
 
Hurli said:
I thought that might have something to do with it. I read that if you wake up several times throughout the night, your body can release glucose.
Click to expand...
Hopefully once your blood glucose comes down you will sleep better, especially if you have been having to get up in the night for loo visits, one of the symptoms of high blood glucose.
Have you tried anything to improve your sleep, herbal Nytol can be helpful, making sure your bedroom is not too hot and your bed is comfortable.
 
I don't get up in the night. Not passing excess urine. Bed is great, no heating in bedroom. I was just sayingbto my partner I will try nytol. I worked nights most of my working life in care. This has messed me up somewhat.
 
Hurli said:
I don't get up in the night. Not passing excess urine. Bed is great, no heating in bedroom. I was just sayingbto my partner I will try nytol. I worked nights most of my working life in care. This has messed me up somewhat.
Click to expand...
It is hard to adjust to what is the 'usual' sleep pattern but sometimes it is because something had become habit and just a trigger to break that is enough.
Sounds like your sleeping environment is fine.
 
I've had a lot of health issues. Mostly with my endocrine system. Had thyroid cancer, partial removal, also had conns syndrome, resulting in removal of one of my adrenals and spleen. On reading, I have seen that these can all cause problems with blood glucose levels. The Dr does not seem to get past the fact I carry weight. Its exhausting, lol
 
So, what's to stop you reducing the amount of carbohydrates you consume and increasing your exercise to at least reduce your blood glucose which very frequently leads to a reduction in weight blood pressure and cholesterol?
 
I actually watch quite keenly the carbohydrates that I consume. And up until recently was fairly active. I worked 12 hour night shifts with 48 residents . Was up and down stairs all nights and then came home to walking the dog.
 
Hurli said:
I actually watch quite keenly the carbohydrates that I consume. And up until recently was fairly active. I worked 12 hour night shifts with 48 residents . Was up and down stairs all nights and then came home to walking the dog.
Click to expand...
Were you told what your HbA1C is as that will give a good idea of how much you will need to do.
 
Hello @Hurli. Different routines and methods suit different people better - I found my HbA1c increased above what I expected by fasting and eating small amounts plus using slimming shakes.
My previous regime of eating every 12 yours, small amount of carbs in the morning and a few more in the evening worked very well, but I was keeping to under 40 gm of carbs a day - I might be even less now as after disrupting my routine I really can't settle back into it again.
If you can tot up the carbs in your meals and then test to see how they affect your blood glucose levels that seems to be an effective method of gaining control.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top