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“Spikes” and Recovery

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Mike97

Member
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I know that Weetabix is high in carbs and that carbs will increase my BG levels. But is it in any way acceptable to accept such”Spikes” if BG quickly recovers e.g. before Weetabix BG 6.0, spike to 10.2, but 2 hours after Weetabix back to 6.1. I am Type 2.
 
Depends on what your health needs are.....

Personally as a type one I would be happy with that spike.....although single figures are preferred....

if you observe this spike for only a short period then damage is unlikely.....but if you want to eliminate it then medication adjustment/or introduction is needed, that or stop having weetabix...
 
And what if the spike was 12 or 13 or maybe 20 but still dropped in the two hours would that still be acceptable?
 
As I understand it, that the more my BG spikes as someone with type 2 and insulin resistance, this continues to encourage too much insulin in my body.
 
"The term “glucotoxicity” refers to the detrimental effects of chronic exposure to supraphysiological glucose concentrations on the phenotype and function of β cells. The association of small increases in plasma glucose levels with dramatic loss of acute glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was first demonstrated in humans nearly 40 years ago.106 Since then, this finding has been confirmed in several animal models exposed to hyperglycemia including partially pancreatectomized,107 glucose-infused108 and neonatal diabetic rats,109 and in vitro cultured islets.110,111 Insulin secretion is considered to be the first function compromised by chronic high glucose levels in β cells. Yet, hyperglycemia has also been shown to lead to depletion of insulin stores together with decreased insulin gene expression."

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/glucotoxicity

Another effect of raised blood sugar is high blood pressure as the glucose effects the blood vessels making them contract more vigorously.

I personally would not be complacent about spikes into the double figures even if reduced in the two hour period lack of damage may be assumed but is not certain I'd rather not take the chance if I don't need to especially not for a bowl of Weetabix.
 
Mike97 said:
I know that Weetabix is high in carbs and that carbs will increase my BG levels. But is it in any way acceptable to accept such”Spikes” if BG quickly recovers e.g. before Weetabix BG 6.0, spike to 10.2, but 2 hours after Weetabix back to 6.1. I am Type 2.
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You are within the general guidelines so not doing too badly IMHO.

However on the principle of "any spike is a bad spike" you may improve your condition by not eating the Weetabix.

If you have the money and can find one (recent tales of lack of availability) then a Freestyle Libre may be a wise investment, because it gives a much clearer picture of how high your spikes are going between tests, and more importantly what your body is doing over night.

Personally, I would kill to be able to eat Weetabix and be back to 6.1 within 2 hours.
 
When I started using a meter, I read an intriguing suggestion for measuring the impact of "spikes". Essentially you follow the pattern on a graph of your glucose levels with a piece of thread (you can usually do this by eye too) : if you have lots of ups and downs you get a much longer length than if you have a more stable less spikey graph - the idea being the shorter the thread the less likelihood of problems. Maybe not very scientific but it made a weird sort of sense to me as a novice!
 
LittleGreyCat said:
Personally, I would kill to be able to eat Weetabix and be back to 6.1 within 2 hours.
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Poor ol' @Mike97 has been a member of the forum for a month and he's already receiving death threats :hilarious:

Now if Mike had followed the advice usually given out, test just before a meal and 2hrs after first bite, he'd be unaware of the spike to 10 - how many others are eating 'weetabix' and peaking before the 2hrs and then dropping to acceptable numbers - an interesting conundrum for which I have no answers but interested to know the views of others.
 
Mike97 said:
I know that Weetabix is high in carbs and that carbs will increase my BG levels. But is it in any way acceptable to accept such”Spikes” if BG quickly recovers e.g. before Weetabix BG 6.0, spike to 10.2, but 2 hours after Weetabix back to 6.1. I am Type 2.
Click to expand...
Well done - that is almost the same reaction as a non diabetic.
 
If my bg were fluctuating from 6 to 10 and back again within 2 hours, I would feel rough.
If that happened every morning, it would affect my life significantly (energy levels, concentration, reaction times, mental clarity, work productivity and weekend ‘playtime’)
If it was happening after other meals too... no thanks.

So I avoid the carbs, have steady bgs after food, feel better and enjoy life more.
YMMV, of course.
 
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