BLOOD SUGARS SEEM STUCK Help please

Hi Mark,welcome to the forum,the 6.4 in the morning could be the Dawn Phenomenon where the liver 'dumps' glucose into the system getting ready for the day's activity.Have you tried having a protein/fat based snack just before going to bed? This gives the liver something to do and often stops the dumping of glucose in the early morning.

http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/17561156.php

No need to reduce cheese,Mark.It's the carbs you want to watch out for not the fats or protein.Test before you exercise see what difference that makes.

Hi Mark, welcome to the forum.

Just a couple of points regarding your questions.

1. Gliclazide. This is a drug which encourages your pancreas to make more insulin. When diagnosed as type 2, your pancreas has probably been working hard making excess insulin for some time. While gliclazide may lower your blood glucose, many people think that the increased stress on the pancreas this causes will cause the beta cells to burn out more quickly.

2. More carbs. You've had some poorly informed advice there. No-one ever reduced their blood sugar by eating more carbohydrates. On the other hand, a large number of people now ignore such advice, eat fewer carbs, and typically see a quick return to non-diabetic levels.

3. 6.4 may be average for a diabetic but you could turn this question around. What is average for a healthy non-diabetic? Those are the numbers to aim for. The answer is somewhere in the 4's.

All the best,

fergus

Do be aware that gliclazide can cause hypos, so you don't want your sugar levels running too low, particularly during the night. I take the same dose of gliclazide with breakfast and have achieved excellent control. Apparently some do better by taking half the dose in the morning and half at night but that's for you and your doctor to decide.

Good luck.

mrben545 said:

1. should i take the Glidazide with my main evening meal instead of breakfast?

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Hi Mark,
Gliclazide lasts in your system for between 10 and 12 hours, which is why most doctors recommend that you have it with breakfast. Then it will cover all your day's meals. If you have it with your evening meal then it will have worn off by the time you have breakfast and lunch, but will have continued forcing your pancreas to produce insulin during the night at a time when very little is needed. That alone could create a night-time hypo.

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BLOOD SUGARS SEEM STUCK Help please

New postby mrben545 on Mon Feb 09, 2009 4:13 pm
Help i was diagnosed with type 2 last July and with a blood sugar count of 14 my fasting readings are now averaging at around 6.4 >> Although that's not bad, round 4s and5s would be even better<<
i started out on metformin 500mg 2 daily then 3 times daily and in December my Dr put me on Glidazide 80mg 1 daily. My personal opinion is that Gliclazide is nasty! It can cause hypos and before I gave it up, I found it was making me gain weight. then of course it "thrashes" the already strruggling beta cells
I am reasonably fit 6ft 3in and slim 13 1/2 stone. I'm jealous!

1. should i take the Glidazide with my main evening meal instead of breakfast?. Drop your carbs and gve it up completely.( I'm not allowed to say that, but it worked for me
2. i was advised to eat more carbs when first diagnosed is this right? i have always had a good diet.More carbs=more glucose to deal with. Common, but unhelpful advice. You DON'T NEED ANY CARBS AT ALL
3. Is 6.4 average acceptable for a diabetic in the morning or does it need to be lower?
Non- diabetic, which is the best target is anything from 3.5 to 5.5. nearer the 3s

Many thanks for any advive

Regards Mark

I would like to point out that any blood glucose reading under 3.9mmol/l is classed in diabetic terms a hypo so a 3.8mmol/l is a mild hypo, and the lower the number the worse the hypo rating… There is some debate whether for non-insulin dependant or a non-diabetic whether this should or shouldn’t rightfully be classed as a hypo, as the normal body’s reaction can right the situation, but the individual can suffer the same symptoms as a insulin dependant diabetic..

Ideally your blood glucose levels should be near to the 4mmol/l mark as possible, and below 6mmol/l if possible…

I was surprised by the increase your carbs! As the more carbs the greater effects they can have, and can be harder to control… To completely avoid carbs is almost impossible, partly because you would be surprised what foods items contain them, and that these foods are required in our diet..

How ever, one can chose several options…

To remove pragmatic carbs where every possible
To identify the actual amount of carb that one truly require a day for good health for them as a individual
To decide whether you prefer the help of medication or the quantity of medication to deal with the carbs in hand
If you are restricting carb intake, to study what nutrients might be missed and research forms of supplements that might over come these…

jopar said:

I would like to point out that any blood glucose reading under 3.9mmol/l is classed in diabetic terms a hypo so a 3.8mmol/l is a mild hypo, and the lower the number the worse the hypo rating… There is some debate whether for non-insulin dependant or a non-diabetic whether this should or shouldn’t rightfully be classed as a hypo, as the normal body’s reaction can right the situation, but the individual can suffer the same symptoms as a insulin dependant diabetic..

Ideally your blood glucose levels should be near to the 4mmol/l mark as possible, and below 6mmol/l if possible…

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I try to aim for 4 - 5 and below 6 after eating, the results show in my lipids and BP.

I have been known to have (reactive) hypo symptoms as high as 5.5, from a rapid BG drop, but now my system is comparatively stable I seem able to function down to around 3.5

YMMV, especially if you've run high BG for a prolonged period you may have hypo *symptoms* way above normal BG numbers until your body readjusts

mrben545 said:

Help i was diagnosed with type 2 last July and with a blood sugar count of 14 my fasting readings are now averaging at around 6.4
i started out on metformin 500mg 2 daily then 3 times daily and in December my Dr put me on Glidazide 80mg 1 daily.
I am reasonably fit 6ft 3in and slim 13 1/2 stone

1. should i take the Glidazide with my main evening meal instead of breakfast?
2. i was advised to eat more carbs when first diagnosed is this right? i have always had a good diet.
3. Is 6.4 average acceptable for a diabetic in the morning or does it need to be lower?

Many thanks for any advive

Regards Mark

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I try to stay between 5.4 and 6.8. Yet some mornings I can be 12-13. This is usually in times of infections such as colds and flu. I am insulin dependant and my condition is volitile in nature. If you can maintain that level, then you are doing well. But don't take my word as gospel. Speak to your GP.

mrben545 said:

Thanks Sue i get up most mornings do a little exercise and then test my BS
i will try the advice you've given me as i love cheese and have tried to reduce my intake since been told i am diabetic so i now have an excuse
Thanks again
Mark

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What type of exercise do you do? Strenuous exercise can raise blood glucose levels, a gentle walk may lower it! Can I suggest that you check your BS on waking and before exercising to see if it is lower.

Guys (@leslie10152 , and @urbanracer ), this thread was last used 7 years ago, and the thread starter hasn't logged in for a few years, so I'm not hopeful there will be further comment.

Welcome aboard @leslie10152 . If you have any specific queries, feel free to start a new thread and folks will be only too happy to assist where they can.

Well spotted - didn't check!