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Confusing readings

M

maxgarry

Member
Messages
22
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I am currently trying a low carb diet, after being diagnosed Type2 approx 2 years ago. I am unable to exercise much so I am testing regularly after eating at 1 hr and 2 hr, low carbs where possible. However I am getting conflicting readings after eating the same food e.g. today had 3 thin slices of wholemeal toast with a few mushrooms for lunch giving a 1 hr reading of 9.1. Yesterday having the same bread with a small amount of ham and lettuce giving a 1 hr reading of 7.3. Likewise earlier in the week I had a mainly veg. dinner with a couple of small boiled potatoes and small lean pork chop resulting in 1 hr reading of 8.2; a few days later I had the same and the result was 10.7.
I am currently taking 7 different types of medication, including 3 types to lower my blood pressure, and 2 types of strong pain killers. Are these likely to affect my reading, in which case I am wasting my time. I have tried to research as much as possible and am wondering if I am doing something wrong. I have been advised to start medication for cholesterol, but am reluctant as I am already taking enough and feel as though the inter-reaction is an unknown quantity.
Can anyone help or advise
Thanks.
 
Am not an expert but my instructions were to take readings before I ate, which would influence readings after eating. This is to my mind the reason for your discrepancies. Think of glucose adding up, pre + food = next reading. But I am type 2 and on dafne so it is different. oldgeoff
 
oldgeoff said:
Am not an expert but my instructions were to take readings before I ate, which would influence readings after eating. This is to my mind the reason for your discrepancies. Think of glucose adding up, pre + food = next reading. But I am type 2 and on dafne so it is different. oldgeoff
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Yes, I would definately agree with you about knowing what the BG was before eating; and I also would not class three slices of toast low carbing.
 
Thanks for the comments. I used to test pre breakfast, but due to costs I would struggle to do this as well. My doctor/surgery does not believe in self testing, I have to purchase my own strips. I am fully aware of the carb contents of my food but if I keep receiving varying results I see no point in lowering my intake until I find a correct reading. I have been gradually reducing and avoiding some foods and will eventually get to the bottom of it all. Perseverance seems to be the key.
 
Hi, one thing I have found is that it depends what you eat with the carbs that makes a difference. So you had a lower reading when you had ham with your toast. It could be that the fat in the ham reduced the impact of the carbs on your BG. Try putting some butter on your toast next time and see what happens. We should not be afraid of fat, fat doesn't make you fat, sugar and carbs do. I use fat to reduce the impact of carbs on my BGs so if I have a piece of bread (very rare) I will smother it in butter.
 
Hi everyone, thanks for your input. Out of interest I took my reading when I got up this morning and it was 6.7. I had 25g of Allbran (which keeps my reading lower than oatmeal) without toast and my 1 hr reading was 11.1. Seems a bit erratic. Perhaps avoiding any cereal would help although I have tried this before. Any clues anyone?
 
Fraddycat said:
It could be that the fat in the ham reduced the impact of the carbs on your BG. Try putting some butter on your toast next time and see what happens. We should not be afraid of fat, fat doesn't make you fat, sugar and carbs do.
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I agree with that. I am unable to eat most things made with flour. Strangely when I have dumplings with a stew I don't have a problem. The suet must reduce the GI. One day I may eat dumplings and take hourly readings to find out what is going right.

OP's problem may partly be due to taking +1 hour readings. Sometimes these can be a bit frightening and NICE only quote the two hour reading of 8.5 for our guidance.

I also agree that if the before lunch reading is raised then eating lunch just adds to it. If you only take post lunch readings you are not really in a position to say they are inconsistent. The actual rise in BG might be consistent if investigated.
 
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