Type 2 Blood sugar levels have doubled

[nogd1]

My blood sugar in the mornings has almost doubled in the space of 4 weeks. Previously I was getting around 8.5 – 9, testing myself in the mornings when I woke up.

I had a blood test at the doctor’s surgery and the results were fasting 7.4 and hbA1C was 55. The doctor suggested that diet control was not working and that I should go on metformin. I went away on holidays, and because of other stuff (self denial maybe) I didn’t pick up my prescription until Saturday. Before I started metformin I wanted to baseline my fasting levels, on Sunday I checked my level and it was 15; I was shocked as its never been so high. I thought it was an one off so I didn’t take the metformin and rechecked on Monday, to get an accurate baseline, and it was 14.4. I did the same today and it was 17. I have now started the metformin so hopefully it will be lower tomorrow, but what could cause my blood sugar levels to increase so much in just a month.

 

[Bluetit1802]

My blood sugar in the mornings has almost doubled in the space of 4 weeks. Previously I was getting around 8.5 – 9, testing myself in the mornings when I woke up.

I had a blood test at the doctor’s surgery and the results were fasting 7.4 and hbA1C was 55. The doctor suggested that diet control was not working and that I should go on metformin. I went away on holidays, and because of other stuff (self denial maybe) I didn’t pick up my prescription until Saturday. Before I started metformin I wanted to baseline my fasting levels, on Sunday I checked my level and it was 15; I was shocked as its never been so high. I thought it was an one off so I didn’t take the metformin and rechecked on Monday, to get an accurate baseline, and it was 14.4. I did the same today and it was 17. I have now started the metformin so hopefully it will be lower tomorrow, but what could cause my blood sugar levels to increase so much in just a month.

Hi and welcome,

Please don't expect Metformin to be a wonder drug. It isn't. It will help to a limited extent with some things, but won't help reduce blood sugars to any great degree.

Perhaps your diet is why you are seeing elevated readings and why "diet only" control hasn't been working for you. If you eat the wrong foods your levels will continue to increase. What are the wrong foods? ...... anything containing carbohydrate.

Instead of testing your morning fasting levels (which teach you very little), concentrate on testing at meal times. Test immediately before you eat and again 2 hours later. If you keep a food diary including portion sizes and record your levels alongside this will help enormously. The aim is to keep any rise in levels from before to after under 2mmol/l (preferably less). More than that and there are too many carbs in that meal, some of which may need to be eliminated and some reduced in portion size. It is all trial and error, but patterns will emerge and you will soon see which foods are raising your levels too much.

 

[Debzz_]

My blood sugar in the mornings has almost doubled in the space of 4 weeks. Previously I was getting around 8.5 – 9, testing myself in the mornings when I woke up.

I had a blood test at the doctor’s surgery and the results were fasting 7.4 and hbA1C was 55. The doctor suggested that diet control was not working and that I should go on metformin. I went away on holidays, and because of other stuff (self denial maybe) I didn’t pick up my prescription until Saturday. Before I started metformin I wanted to baseline my fasting levels, on Sunday I checked my level and it was 15; I was shocked as its never been so high. I thought it was an one off so I didn’t take the metformin and rechecked on Monday, to get an accurate baseline, and it was 14.4. I did the same today and it was 17. I have now started the metformin so hopefully it will be lower tomorrow, but what could cause my blood sugar levels to increase so much in just a month.

I too have been on holiday and suffered from not taking my Metformin regularly along with eating things I shouldn't! There was me thinking after 6 months of being mostly good I could get away with it - well I didn't nor did you ! That was 2 weeks ago and back on the Metformin ( gets on my nerves when people slate it ) and out of holiday mode levels are back down .