Type 2 Morning blood sugars

[Fifi2022]

Hi , I’m a newly diagnosed type 2 on 500mg metformin 3 times a day . I checked my blood sugar 2 hours after dinner and it was 6.8 . This morning I also tested and I was 7.8 . Why has it gone higher in the morning ? I’m really worried as I woke up starving

 

[Geordie_P]

It's likely to be a very common issue known as 'dawn phenomenon'.
Your liver dumps glucose to get you ready for the day.
Morning readings are often the slowest to get under control.
It shouldn't be a huge worry: if you can keep reducing your glucose stores, the morning rise should go down accordingly.
In the immediate term, eating some sort of carb-free breakfast or snack, or doing some light activity as soon as you wake up can help.

 

[catinahat]

Welcome @Fifi2022
When our body get ready to face the day it releases certain hormones, these hormones prompt our liver to release some of its stored glucose. It's perfectly natural and happens to everyone , in someone who doesn't have diabetes their insulin mops up this extra glucose and uses it for energy. Our insulin resistance prevents us from using it efficiently so our levels rise. Research Dawn phenomenon for a more detailed explanation

 

[Mrs HJG]

How soon after getting up do you test?

I have been experimenting this week as I noticed my 'pre-breakfast' reading was higher when I started back working (from home) a few weeks ago, and showering/hair-drying/chasing the kids all before breakfast.

This week was half term and I measured as soon as I got up and was consistently getting readings of 4.6 or 4.7; when I got up and showered, but had breakfast before getting dressed and hair-drying, the pre-breakfast readings were 5.2 or 5.3 about 30mins after getting up (and what `I had thought was my 'normal'). Before the holiday it was 5.6 or 5.7 after all the pre-breakfast activity, so mine can be guaranteed to go up 1 due to the increased pre-breakfast activity or delayed breakfast testing.

I am not worrying about the rise now as I can see why it is happening and the higher levels are still OK, but it might be worth a bit of testing depending on your morning routine. Good luck.

 

[Fifi2022]

How soon after getting up do you test?

I have been experimenting this week as I noticed my 'pre-breakfast' reading was higher when I started back working (from home) a few weeks ago, and showering/hair-drying/chasing the kids all before breakfast.

This week was half term and I measured as soon as I got up and was consistently getting readings of 4.6 or 4.7; when I got up and showered, but had breakfast before getting dressed and hair-drying, the pre-breakfast readings were 5.2 or 5.3 about 30mins after getting up (and what `I had thought was my 'normal'). Before the holiday it was 5.6 or 5.7 after all the pre-breakfast activity, so mine can be guaranteed to go up 1 due to the increased pre-breakfast activity or delayed breakfast testing.

I am not worrying about the rise now as I can see why it is happening and the higher levels are still OK, but it might be worth a bit of testing depending on your morning routine. Good luck.

Hi thank you for your reply , I test first thing in the morning then go about my day . But it is early days for me so will see if it improves . I have also been waking up with headaches the last 2 days so I’m not sure if that can be a reason ?

 

[Mrs HJG]

Hi thank you for your reply , I test first thing in the morning then go about my day . But it is early days for me so will see if it improves.

I am only coming up to 3 months in, so still making it up as I go along!

 

[Sarah69]

I get up go to the loo, get dressed and go downstairs. I take my dogs out to the garden come in and get them sorted then I test.