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confused about blood sugar readings

C

confused

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I am recently diagnosed with (I think) type 2 diabetes at age 50. On diagnosis, my GP said my blood sugar was very high but did not tell me the reading. He said it should be controlled by diet and stopping my water tablet and I am waiting to go for another blood test. I just bought a monitor and have taken a few readings as I don't want to be shocked again when I go back. i am very confused, however, as the readings seem to be higher (7.8) before breakfast and (10.7) before tea rather than (6.7) 2 hours after tea. Anybody find the same or have any ideas about this?

would appreciate any replies- thanks
 
Hi Confused, welcome to the forum. In order to get some useful information from your readings you need to have some idea about how much carbohydrate you have eaten for each meal, as this is what is causing your swings in blood glucose readings.

On average each 10-14grms of carbs could raise your blood glucose reading 1.0mmol/lt over the two hour period. after eating. For example, two rounds of toast contain on av 28-34grms of carbs, which in theory could raise your reading 3-4mmol/lt over the next two hours before dropping back down again. This is only in theory, as each persons metabolism is different.

have a look at the labels on various foods that you eat to give you a guide as to how much carbs you are eating over the day, take your meter readings before a meal, then two to three hours later and see what effect your food is having.
 
Hi

Your blood sugar seems to be right - mine are 4.5 when low and 10.9 after meal - normally you should be 4.5 - 6.8.....

KIM
 
thanks for your replies. I suppose what is confusing me is why my readings are much higher BEFORE meals ie: with a 4-12 hours gap/fast while other people seem to indicate that theirs are lower before meals.
 
Its really about counting carbs - I once checked my sugar at 4 in the morning and it was 4.5 when I checked it at 6 it was 6.5 and I had not eaten since 8 the night before.....so...as I said if your generally between 4.5 and 6.5 and no higher than 10.0 2 hours after meal - your OK.

KIM
 
Your data shows a rise over the day from before breakfast to before tea.
There are many possible scenarios eg you could eat breakfast, have an active morning eat lunch (no test) and a more sedentary afternoon. Your BS could rise resulting in the pre tea reading. Alternatively you could eat breakfast, an inactive morning , eat lunch resulting in high BS but then some activity brings them 'down' to the level before tea!

As Geof says the only way to find out is to test. As your BS were high before tea and lower afterwards your pancreas was for that meal able to produce enough insulin to both lower the pre prandial BG and cope with any carbs in the meal. This may mean its having to produce too much.

Incidently 2 fasting (laboratory not home) glucose readings of 7 are diagnostic of diabetes.

The latest post prandial target from the American Association of Endocrinologists is 140 (7.7mmol) two hours after a meal. ( I think that the UK still suggests the higher number of 180mg/dl (10mmol)

Your doctor has suggested diet but exercise also plays a very important role in controlling diabetes. By paying close attention to both aspects some people (though not all ) are able to control it without medication.
 
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