Sugar levels are always 25-30 last few days

kkully88

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Hi all, I'm new to this I hope you can help me? I'm type 2 diabetic. I've had so much gone on with my health last 7 months. Found out last year I'm diabetic. Last few weeks my doctor's told me to monitor my sugar levels but yesterday at night it was 32.2 and tonight 30.2 obviously it's gone down to 23 now but it's always on a night. And I'm doing good with eating so why is it so high at night? I feel so thirsty I'm drinking water as that's what I drink now. I'm on 3 Metformin a day instead of one but I still don't understand.
 

annie07

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Hi @kkully88 and welcome to the forum. I'm tagging @daisy1 for her informative pack for new members.

I'm afraid your numbers suggest that you may not eating as well as you think - 23mmol/L is very high and I think it may be best to go back to your GP as soon as possible with these results. Those with type 2 should aim for a blood sugar level of between 4-7mmol/L before a meal and 8.5mmol/L after a meal according to NICE guidelines. It' makes sense that you're feeling thirsty all the time as those are definitely hyperglycaemic numbers. Are you testing before and after meals? Could you give us an idea of what you eat every day, then we can try and help you make some changes. :)
 
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Mike d

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Hi all, I'm new to this I hope you can help me? I'm type 2 diabetic. I've had so much gone on with my health last 7 months. Found out last year I'm diabetic. Last few weeks my doctor's told me to monitor my sugar levels but yesterday at night it was 32.2 and tonight 30.2 obviously it's gone down to 23 now but it's always on a night. And I'm doing good with eating so why is it so high at night? I feel so thirsty I'm drinking water as that's what I drink now. I'm on 3 Metformin a day instead of one but I still don't understand.

They are really bad numbers. Your diet?
 
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Prem51

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Welcome to the forum kkully88. Those are high readings, even the 23. We usually suggest to T2s who are getting readings of over 20 to go to gp or hospital A&E as soon as possible if they are feeling unwell.
If you are concerned and feeling unwell you could also call the NHS Direct helpline on 111 to ask if you should go to A&E.
With readings in the 30s they might send a paramedic or ambulance to check you out.
 

Juicyj

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Hello @kkully88 I agree with others who have said seek urgent medical assistance, those numbers are too high so getting urgent medical advice is important now, please let us know how you get on ?
 
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I am concerned by the judgemental responses to this.
Blaming diet, describing bg as "bad" .
Perhaps responders should be a little more considerate and stick with advice "visit a doctor", "read daisy1 message regarding management".
Don't forget our BG is affected by many things, not just food and comments like this may add to stress.
 
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daisy1

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@kkully88
Hello and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it interesting and helpful.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why

  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
 

bulkbiker

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I am concerned by the judgemental responses to this.
Blaming diet, describing bg as "bad" .
Perhaps responders should be a little more considerate and stick with advice "visit a doctor", "read daisy1 message regarding management".
Don't forget our BG is affected by many things, not just food and comments like this may add to stress.

I don't think its judgemental just people being very concerned and anxious to help. Someone with such high numbers should be getting immediate treatment.
 

briped

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Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
Hi all, I'm new to this I hope you can help me? I'm type 2 diabetic. I've had so much gone on with my health last 7 months. Found out last year I'm diabetic. Last few weeks my doctor's told me to monitor my sugar levels but yesterday at night it was 32.2 and tonight 30.2 obviously it's gone down to 23 now but it's always on a night. And I'm doing good with eating so why is it so high at night? I feel so thirsty I'm drinking water as that's what I drink now. I'm on 3 Metformin a day instead of one but I still don't understand.
I'm glad to see you found your way around this forum and created your own thread. I replied to the other thread only a few minutes ago, before seeing seeing this. Never mind, what I wrote is in agreement with what others have written above.
Do let us know how you are.
 
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KK123

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Personally, I think that when someone tells us their glucose levels have reached 32 and have been that high for a few days, the only answer is to get medical advice, pronto. Regardless of whether that person is down as a 'type 2'. I understand that people are trying to help and focus on the fact that the person is (supposedly) type 2 and therefore diet is the key, but even so, numbers as high as that for a few days would take a long time to come down just by a day or two of low carb and in the meantime could be dangerous. It sounds like a fairly new diagnosis as well, the poster probably hasn't the means to even check for ketones and if the first responses they see refers to diet, it may give them a false sense of security.
 
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I don't think its judgemental just people being very concerned and anxious to help. Someone with such high numbers should be getting immediate treatment.
I completely agree with the recommendation for getting further treatment. I am questioning the language used (and some of the reasons provided) as not being very helpful.
 
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jessica1612

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Snap!! my numbers are almost exactly the same. I have been to docs, he says I need to wait for next HBA1c which is in three weeks!! I have tried 111 and spoke to an out of hours doctor - he said see your GP. I tried the diabetes helpline number, he said I shouldn't be walking around with blood sugar that high - guess what - see your GP. They fail to say what to do if your GP is not interested. According to GP its not dangerous! Needless to say I am changing doctors after next test.
So if you have a helpful doctor- yes please see him ASAP.
 
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Prem51

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Hi @jessica1612 Are there any other gps at your surgery you could see? Or could you get to a hospital A&E to be checked out?
I know that might mean a long wait.
 

jessica1612

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Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Hi @jessica1612 Are there any other gps at your surgery you could see? Or could you get to a hospital A&E to be checked out?
I know that might mean a long wait.
I have seen all 3 doctors and the supposedly specialist nurse. I just get so frustrated that they do not listen. The next step will be A&E but I am expecting the same response.
 

Brunneria

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Hi Everyone,

Could we please not turn this thread into some kind of point scoring and one-upmanship about what advice is given?
There is no need to derail this thread like that.
If anyone thinks that another poster is giving incorrect advice, or their post is breaking the forum rules, then please use the Report button so that moderators can deal with it.
If a post is not against the forum rules, then members are welcome to express their opinions.

This is a newbie thread for @kkully88 and now @jessica1612 and they have both received good advice - get further medical advice as soon as possible, and check on the impact of how eating choices may be affecting blood glucose levels.

Kkully and Jessica, I hope that you have both got some useful information, and not been put off by the bickering.
And if your doctor isn't listening, and you are in the UK, then it may be time to exercise your right under the NHS to ask for a referral to someone who WILL take your numbers seriously. And I would stress that you insist on it being an urgent referral, since numbers that high need medical attention, and shouldn't be left for weeks at a time.
 

kkully88

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@Brunneria thank you so much. I've got a appointment for the doctors for tomorrow. Hopefully they will be able to help out. It's just so hard actually getting a appointment. I'm waiting to see a dietician for ages. I'll chase that up with my doctor's tomorrow. But I've realised numbers always are high at night.
 

kkully88

Member
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Could you all please tell me what you all eat for breakfast lunch and dinner please? So least I have a idea how to cut sugars out with food etc.

Thanks all
 
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@Brunneria thank you so much. I've got a appointment for the doctors for tomorrow. Hopefully they will be able to help out. It's just so hard actually getting a appointment. I'm waiting to see a dietician for ages. I'll chase that up with my doctor's tomorrow. But I've realised numbers always are high at night.
May I ask what your numbers are like during the day?
 

Brunneria

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@Brunneria thank you so much. I've got a appointment for the doctors for tomorrow. Hopefully they will be able to help out. It's just so hard actually getting a appointment. I'm waiting to see a dietician for ages. I'll chase that up with my doctor's tomorrow. But I've realised numbers always are high at night.

Please let us know how you get on?

And did you ever get confirmation that you have T2? Or was it just an assumption that you are T2?

The treatment for types 1 and 2 (and 3) diabetes vary significantly.
Since you have identified as T2 on your profile, most of the advice you have been getting has been focussing on that - because T2s often (but not always) respond very well to reducing carbs in their diet, by avoiding potato, rice, pasta, bread, sugar and sweet fruit. They may need medication too, but diet is often key, especially if the person wants to avoid escalating blood glucose levels and a worsening of their diabetes.

On the other hand, type 1 diabetes cannot be controlled in the same way, and medication (insulin) will always be necessary. Adjusting carb intake usually means that insulin doses can be adjusted too, but type 1s will always use insulin as their primary control.

It is always worth having a look at the profile avatar of the person making a post. The avatar usually identifies what type of diabetes the poster has, and that often influences the type of advice they give, and is often helpful in deciding whether that advice is appropriate for you.
 
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