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Blood Glucose Reading

jeniferlouise02

jeniferlouise02

Active Member
Messages
44
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi,

I wondered if anybody could be kind enough to give me some advice please?

I have another endocrine disease (addisons) which, if not managed correctly can make my blood glucose levels unstable. It also means I have a higher chance of becoming diabetic over time. For these reasons, I am testing my blood sugar fairly regularly.

I was tested last year. (With a blood test hb1a?? I think) the results were fine, I think.

My question is, would it have shown up problems with my blood glucose? My blood glucose regularly falls to 3.4. This is a sign of me not having enough medication for my addisons. Last night however, I tested after my evening meal and it was 19.1.

Should I be concerned by 19.1? Could the low readings be averaging out the high ones in an hb1a test?

Many thanks in advance. I'm just not sure if I should be contacting my GP
 
Jumps like that? Personally I would jenifer ... but that's an opinion only.

Mike :)
 
Hi Jen

I'd refer it ..... we can't masquerade as doctors ..... better safe than sorry in this (and maybe ever other) instance.

Mike :)

.... and take care :)
 
Out of interest I would like to know how long after your evening meal you got the 19.1. I also add that you should see your GP anyway since the members on here can't stand in for him.
 
It was about an hour after my meal. I'm going to make a telephone consultation with my GP. Thanks for your help. Is 19.1 high? What is the GP likely to say or do?
 
low 3's isn't uncommon for some normal people and may be your baseline. The 19 is very high and no matter what you eat you shouldn't be going that high. I would strongly recommend that you discuss it with your doctor. It may be you will need to moderate what you eat but will have to balance that with your other condition. Measure at the 2 hour point and not just the 1 hour to see how fast you fall.

Was your meal very high in carb?
 
Hi Andrew,

My baseline seems to be about 4.4. At 3.4, I don't feel very well at all.

I did have a lot of carbs last night. My husband and I were staying in a hotel. I had chips with my meal, followed by cheese and biscuits for dessert.
 
I will measure at two hours in future too. I don't normally measure after meals. I normally only measure when I suspect I'm low.

The doctor is going to give me a ring.

Thanks again
 
Hi Jenifer,
Just a suggestion did you make sure your fingers were clean before you tested? That's one heck of a jump within an hour of eating. Another thought is perhaps it was a duff test?
Your best bet is to test when you get up before meals and 2 hours after. This way you can see exactly what is going on.
I know my low blood sugars unless in unison with low BP are just due to diabetes and not Addison's. Mind you I have had diabetes for 50 years :)
Many non diabetics walk around with blood sugars in the 3's it's normal for many as I understand it.
 
Hi Carbsrock,

Thanks for your message.

Am I right in thinking that you have Addisons too?

If I am, I was diagnosed in October last year. They picked it up when I was admitted to hospital for severe abdominal pain, because my blood glucose kept dipping low. It turned out I was having a crisis and that's when I was given a 8am cortisol test and diagnosed.

A couple of months later, I was so thirsty all the time. Going to the toilet all the time and starving. My blood glucose was between 3 and 12 at that time. The GP did the hb1ca and it came back normal.

Since then, I've only tested my blood glucose when I've had a long run/ feel funny. My blood glucose is usually low at these times and I feel ill.

I just happened to test yesterday after dinner and it was 19.1 My hands were clean. I run them under hot water to make them bleed easier, so I always wash with soap at the same time.

I've just spoken to the GP. He asked which food I had eaten and said 19.1 was still high. He offered to do a 14 hour fasting test, but said it probably won't show anything if my blood glucose levels are low most of the time. He said to keep an eye on my blood sugar levels after meals and if they're over 12 regularly, get in touch with him again.

I just don't really understand what is going on with my sugar levels?!

Thanks for your advice.

Jen
 
jeniferlouise02 said:
I will measure at two hours in future too. I don't normally measure after meals. I normally only measure when I suspect I'm low.

The doctor is going to give me a ring.

Thanks again
Click to expand...
contamination can give funny numbers too
did you wash your hands properly..did you retest to see if it was still high?
 
I did wash my hands with soap, but I didn't retest. I had an awful headache and just went to sleep. I woke up at 3am with an awful headache and I was sweating. I actually went and stood outside to try to cool down.

In future, I'll retest with a different strip. My machines ok though, as I compared it with the GPs

In all honesty, I think it was right. I must have felt a bit funny to think about testing it.
 
jeniferlouise02 said:
I did wash my hands with soap, but I didn't retest. I had an awful headache and just went to sleep. I woke up at 3am with an awful headache and I was sweating. I actually went and stood outside to try to cool down.

In future, I'll retest with a different strip. My machines ok though, as I compared it with the GPs

In all honesty, I think it was right. I must have felt a bit funny to think about testing it.
Click to expand...
it may well have been and you will find out over the next week. lets hope it was a one off :)
if ever you get a number that doesn't seem right..it always pays to rewash and retest
I would do some regular testing for a week
when you go to bed..when you wake up.
before and 2 hr after meals.
whenever you feel funny
write it all down
 
jeniferlouise02 said:
Hi Carbsrock,

Thanks for your message.

Am I right in thinking that you have Addisons too?
Yes about 14 years ago! time flies when having fun doesn't it?
If I am, I was diagnosed in October last year. They picked it up when I was admitted to hospital for severe abdominal pain, because my blood glucose kept dipping low. It turned out I was having a crisis and that's when I was given a 8am cortisol test and diagnosed.
Glad they picked it up so easily
A couple of months later, I was so thirsty all the time. Going to the toilet all the time and starving. My blood glucose was between 3 and 12 at that time. The GP did the hb1ca and it came back normal.
What medication are you on and when do you take it?
Since then, I've only tested my blood glucose when I've had a long run/ feel funny. My blood glucose is usually low at these times and I feel ill.
You definitely need to test as I suggested in previous post.

I just happened to test yesterday after dinner and it was 19.1 My hands were clean. I run them under hot water to make them bleed easier, so I always wash with soap at the same time.

I've just spoken to the GP. He asked which food I had eaten and said 19.1 was still high. He offered to do a 14 hour fasting test, but said it probably won't show anything if my blood glucose levels are low most of the time. He said to keep an eye on my blood sugar levels after meals and if they're over 12 regularly, get in touch with him again.
Unless you ate pure sugar then I would be surprised and worried by that result, or had you taken any extra steroids?
I just don't really understand what is going on with my sugar levels?!
Do you see a consultant for your care or just with the GP?

Thanks for your advice.
You are more than welcome :)
Jen
Click to expand...
 
Jack, thanks for your advice. I will test more regularly this week and see what happens.

Carbsrok, thank you for your reply. It's always helpful to speak to someone who knows and understands addisons. I take 5mg cortisol at 7am, 11am, 2pm and 4pm and I hadn't taken extra yesterday.

Thanks again guys x
 
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