best time to test bs levels? how bad are spikes in bs levels

Re: best time to test bs levels? how bad are spikes in bs le

Hi, there is no point testing your BG levels for at least 2 hours after eating. Not knowing what insulin your on its hard to advise, and please take this as advise only. if unsure always call your nurse. If your using a pen to inject and have given yourself the right ratio to carbs, and depending on what you have eaten, whether rapid or long lasting carbs, you will get a spike. I am on a pump and find it much easier to mange insulin as I'm sensitive to it. If I ate pasta and gave the full dose, I could guarantee I'd go low, so I had to split the dose 3 times over 4 hours as its a long lasting carb, but if I have a can of full fat coke, I know my BG will rise much quicker.

In short, it's normal, imagine a I true of a wave, it goes up, then down. If you get the chance get on a DAFNE course. You'll learn all about this. If you BG is still high at least 4 hours after eating, then you have your ratio is wrong and you need to see your nurse.

Good luck, hope it helps.


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Re: best time to test bs levels? how bad are spikes in bs le

Hi. The normal test is 2 hours after a meal. For non-diabetics blood sugar should have returned to near normal but for diabetics it will still be elevated. Anything over 8.5 is considered diabetic. Anything in the 20s needs serious attention. A reading after only an hour doesn't really have much meaning but it will be higher than the 2 hour reading.

Re: best time to test bs levels? how bad are spikes in bs le

There is still insulin in the system 2 hrs after eating. This must be taken into consideration.So annoying, you thing you have your insulin/carb ratio sorted, then someone mentions GI.....