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BG target when in ketosis?

Spiker

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,685
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Reading some great articles on ketosis posted by @modesty007 (I think?), it stated that blood glucose self regulates to about 3.7 mmol/L after keto-adaptation (in non-diabetics). This level is maintained from dietary protein and fat by gluconeogenesis and glycerol scavenging, by prioritising use of any dietary carbs, and is buffered by use glycogen. It's all homeostatic.

I was wondering what T1's in particular had as their blood glucose targets when in ketosis? My blood sugar keeps dropping toward around 3.7, and I feel fine, so I guess my brain is keto-adapting and getting more energy from ketones. I guess I should aim for around 3.7? Obviously I am worried about losing hypo symptoms, or at least shifting my hypo symptom trigger point really low. Any thoughts or suggestions or experience or links would be really welcome!
 
Not being T1 one myself I first decided not to answer, but I do as bump. My bg on strict LCHF is around 4.2 so far and never below 3.8. I have no reliable means to test for ketones, only the pee sticks and my level of ketones have gone down as expected, from moderately high to lowish. I assume you can test blood ketones? Good luck with it, ketosis rocks.
 
Thanks Totto that's good to know. I am interested in the experience of T2 as you guys are more 'normal' than me in biochemistry. It's reassuring to know you are in that range during ketosis. Would I be right in thinking you go higher if you don't low carb and are not in ketosis?

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I certainly do! When I prepared for the OGTT and had a lot of carbs, for me that is, as I have been low carbing in a leisurely way for years, my fasting bg went up to around 6 and generally fasting during the day over 5, post meal reading on high carb foods like bread and rice at 12-14. I did have a bag of cheese doodles too with a postprandial of 9.7.

At OGTT fasting was 5.7, one h at 20,6 and two h at 13.8.

When I was still undiabetic my morning fasting bg usually was around 3.8-4.1 and I know this, as I come from a family with diabetes in several generations so as an adult have tried to keep a check on my bg. Maybe I caught it early as my fasting bg isn't that high.

I feel so much better when I am in ketosis. You wouldn't believe the energy I have now, I work 10-12 hours a day six days a week, often hard physical work as in digging, I eat when I am hungry if I have the time, mostly twice a day but hunger isn't an issue and I rarely feel the need to snack.

I haven't been this well for a quarter of a century. Ketosis rocks!
 
Well it's only about day 3 for me but I also feel great. More energy, better mood, no hunger, and it doesn't seem to matter when I eat or don't eat.

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Exactly!

I did get a bit of low carb flu though at first, with palpitations. Some extra salt and water and magnesium usually sorts it.

Good luck!
 
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