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confused about levels

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domforr

Well-Known Member
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46
Hi all, I have an ongoing confusion about my Hb1Ac vs my daily testing levels. Generally when I get the Hb1Ac from the doctors they say it's okay (around 7 or 8 I think). However, my levels from testing in the morning are almost always around 10-12. When I test throughout the day they are usually around this level or sometimes even higher at around 15 (like today).

The doctor explained this by saying that I might be having lows in the night and my body would then compensate and that would explain the high levels in the morning? No idea if this is correct or not.

Have other people had a similar experience?

Thanks,

Dominic
 
domforr said:
Generally when I get the Hb1Ac from the doctors they say it's okay (around 7 or 8 I think). However, my levels from testing in the morning are almost always around 10-12. When I test throughout the day they are usually around this level or sometimes even higher at around 15 (like today).
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Remember that the value of an hba1c isn't the same as your average blood sugar. An hba1c of 7% corresponds to an average blood sugar of 8.6, while 8% is and average blood sugar of 10.1. So your figures don't sound wildly out of sync with your hba1c. Though there are various medical conditions (anaemia etc) which can distort your hba1c value both up and down.

Many diabetics find that their morning fasting reading is the highest of the day, as the dawn phenomena makes your liver pump out sugar to give your the energy to start your daily activities. Though it seems counter intuitive (you'd think a fasting reading would be lower :)) your body doesn't know or care where the sugar comes from, it just can't process it well.

Having said all that, I personally would prefer to run lower bgs than those you are describing. Have you tried low carbing?
 
Hi, thanks for the reply. I do eat a mainly low carb diet (no potatoes, rice, pasta, bread etc) and am quite strict, but not evangelical about it. I think it's just reading the morning levels that people report on here, which seem much lower than mine and I don't really understand why. Do I just trust the Hb1Ac level and not worry too much about my daily levels?
 
The problem with just looking at a 3 month HbA1c is that it can mask spikes that are potentially worrying. Personally I concentrated on getting all my levels within range, including the early morning rise associated with the dawn phenomenon (the last to get down into the normal range).
Are you on any medication?
What are you eating?
While some find just having one or two meals a day suits them I found eating more than 30g in one meal spiked my BS so I settled for 2 meals and two snacks a day (counting a milky bedtime drink as one snack).
 
domforr said:
Do I just trust the Hb1Ac level and not worry too much about my daily levels?
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I would say no, in my opinion the daily levels are even more important than the 'average' over 3 months as you are seeing the numbers in real time (and can try to combat them). . You could technically be in the 2s or in the 10s constantly and see an average of 6 whilst never hitting a 6 in reality. (It's more complicated than that I know because the hb1ac is weighted towards the third month and so much more comes into it).Personally, I would not be happy with those numbers if they are constant, I know you are low carb but what would be a typical day's food?

The GP may have a point BUT what then is causing the lows in the first place (bad) and any rebounds that go that high (bad). What type are you and are you on any medication at all? x
 
Thanks all for the replies. I was diagnosed about 6 years ago (I'm now 46) and am currently on metformin TR twice a day. I'm not overweight and run 3-4 times a week so am otherwise quite fit.

I struggle with meals but an average day might be:

Breakfast: pancakes (eggs, philadelphia cheese, flaxseed, some blueberries and a bit of stevia
Lunch: Avo, cold meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, a few peanuts
Dinner: meat of some type, cauliflour rice, veg (green beans, sweetcorn etc. Often have a bit of Oppo ice cream afterwards

I do eat quite a few peanuts/pistachios in between meals and a piece or two of dark (70%) chocolate. I'll also drink about 5 cups of tea (no sugar) and a cup of coffee.

So not perfect by any means, but not too bad I think?

About a year ago I also added in citagliptin on top of the metformin and that really brought my levels down. Unfortunately I also kept on having lows, especially after running so I stopped using it.

I should also mention that I have a disabled son, so life is pretty stressful, which could also be a contributing factor.
 
domforr said:
Thanks all for the replies. I was diagnosed about 6 years ago (I'm now 46) and am currently on metformin TR twice a day. I'm not overweight and run 3-4 times a week so am otherwise quite fit.
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That diet looks pretty low carb to me (though I'm not an expert). Have you ever had a cpeptide or GAD test to confirm that you are T2 and not slow onset T1? (Most likely you are T2, because I think you'd know by now if you weren't, but some T1s can keep their levels normal for ages by low carbing).

Stress definitely raises blood sugars, so it could just be that....
 
Abbott, who make the libre2 sensor are currently doing a free 2 week trial. That may give you the info on when your bg is going up and down.
Usual cost is £50 every 2 weeks but ti might be interesting/informative for you
I cant add a link as it knows I've used it from this computer, but Google should find it.

Otherwise the advice is to cut out snacks and to lengthen the time between eating, such as going to meals just once or twice a day.
Often called intermittent fasting I prefer the term 'periodic eating'

Also hydration, 6 drinks a day is not a lot. Try adding 2 -6 more, water if possible
 
domforr said:
Hi all, I have an ongoing confusion about my Hb1Ac vs my daily testing levels. Generally when I get the Hb1Ac from the doctors they say it's okay (around 7 or 8 I think). However, my levels from testing in the morning are almost always around 10-12. When I test throughout the day they are usually around this level or sometimes even higher at around 15 (like today).

The doctor explained this by saying that I might be having lows in the night and my body would then compensate and that would explain the high levels in the morning? No idea if this is correct or not.

Have other people had a similar experience?

Thanks,

Dominic
Click to expand...
Mine is like that @domforr, I was just diagnosed in January so I've been testing, and adjusting foods, and testing. I'm in the US so my Meter (well, the one I bought) doesn't show the mmol/l #, just the mg/dl. At first I kept converting it, just by looking at chart, and then someone explained to me also, that the hb1AC is an average of the 3 months. so now I just test and record, then check my meals. I think of how long I've been eating poorly, and figure it's going to take time to get my body where it should be. It is getting better for sure, and I'm learning to test more often. All of which I've learned from people here.

It's a lot to learn for me but you are doing the right things, test, and set up a diet that works for you and getting the best numbers you can ;)
 
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