Blood Glucose levels

Jaded Judi said:

Hi - I have been taking metaformin SR for a year now, 1000mg per day and test my blood levels in the morning. I really couldn't tolerate the normal metaformin - I still have bad tummy days now!
When I test after fasting, I am usually between 6.5 and 8 - but would like to be better than that. I do try not to have too many carbs - but I know I do fail at that sometimes, especially during the winter! I have lost 2.5 stone since being diagnosed, so have done some things right, but I do get a bit low with it all.
Any suggestions to help get the blood glucose levels lower?!

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I'm a newbie myself so my advice is not expert advice but I just wanted to say that my first reading in the morning is always the highest of the day. This is due to the dawn phenomenon where glucose is released into the bloodstream to give us the energy to wake up and get up (I think that's right, but there are loads of threads on here about it that you can check). My morning level is always between 6.5 and 8, just like yours, but I test immediately before every meal and 2 hours after each meal throughout the day and regularly get results between 5.8 and 6.5. I think testing in the morning only is not giving you a full picture. I never get a result higher than 7.1 during the rest of the day. Might be worth doing a few more tests throughout the day for a week or so to get a fuller picture.
Again I'm no expert but I would have thought the levels you are getting are pretty good really (I know I'm delighted with my very similar levels) and massive congratulations on losing so much weight xxx

@HelenMW is right. Morning fasting levels are notoriously unreliable as many factors come in to play. Try testing more frequently, immediately before a meal, 2 hours after first bite, bedtimes. You can use this method to test out what your meals are doing to your levels - too high or too prolonged a rise and that meal needs tweaking by either cutting out the carb element or reducing the portion size. Have a go, record your levels and keep a food diary so you can compare them.

Well done on the weight loss.

Jaded Judi said:

Hi - I have been taking metaformin SR for a year now, 1000mg per day and test my blood levels in the morning. I really couldn't tolerate the normal metaformin - I still have bad tummy days now!
When I test after fasting, I am usually between 6.5 and 8 - but would like to be better than that. I do try not to have too many carbs - but I know I do fail at that sometimes, especially during the winter! I have lost 2.5 stone since being diagnosed, so have done some things right, but I do get a bit low with it all.
Any suggestions to help get the blood glucose levels lower?!

Click to expand...

Hi, I agree with what HelenMW said, the morning ones are, in my opinion, the last ones to come into line but everything looks to be going in the right direction. I know it can get you down (I`ve been t2 for about 10yrs) but you really should feel heartened by your progress, remember it`s a marathon not a sprint and you are in this for life. Very well done on the weight loss and welcome to a club that no-one wants to join.