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Constant high (13.7+) BS reading
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<blockquote data-quote="RussG" data-source="post: 214802" data-attributes="member: 30691"><p>Hi Carophie04,</p><p></p><p>Everyone is different is somewhat of a mantra here. Largely yes, your readings at the moment are too high and need to come down. However they're not usually considered <u>dangerously</u> high for a short period of time. Diabetes is a lifelong condition, so a few months running high is not great but you won't have done any significant harm. It is prolonged high levels that usually bring on complications or extremely high levels, which can cause serious problems especially in T1s.</p><p></p><p>Also, what is high for a newly(ish) diagnosed person and what is high for someone who has had diabetes for years will be different.</p><p></p><p>Some people take a very 'zero tolerance' approach to blood sugar levels. I've read several people who say they never let their sugars spike over 6, even after food. I can't achieve that myself and don't try to. However 7-8 is not in any way, shape or form 'very high'. It may well be considered above acceptable for a fasting level or higher that people would like all the time but it's certainly not very high. </p><p></p><p>If you had an average bg of 8mmol, you would have an HbA1c of 6.9%, which most people would say is perfectly acceptable. You might decide you wanted to be lower than that, but that's a personal choice.</p><p></p><p>I would hope your doctor imparted a small sense of urgency to getting the levels down, but I have seen plenty of people say their doctors / nurses have tried to scare them with horror stories about what will happen to them. Perhaps your doc is not panicking you.</p><p></p><p>The general rule is that you want your levels to be as low as you can get them without causing further problems. The lower you get them, the less chance of complications long term BUT I think there is a real issue around sustainability and diminishing returns. Your BG readings are only part of the equation. You need a lifestyle that is acceptable and suitable for your condition. Some people have an easier run with diabetes and some people don't. Some people cope perfectly well without medication and some people can't avoid it. It's important to do what's right for you.</p><p></p><p>Your blood levels should be agreed between you and your medical team, but the standard NICE targets are:</p><p></p><p><strong>Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes</strong></p><p>Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l</p><p>2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l</p><p></p><p><strong>Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)</strong></p><p>Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l</p><p>2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l</p><p></p><p><strong>Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)</strong></p><p>Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l</p><p>2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l</p><p></p><p>PS: the renal threshold for glucose is about 10mmol - that means when your levels are above 10mmol your body tries to get rid of glucose via urine and you go to the loo a lot. Your body signals that you are thirsty to replace the fluid lost and keep up the volume of urine. Once the levels come down below this, you should see a real improvement.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="RussG, post: 214802, member: 30691"] Hi Carophie04, Everyone is different is somewhat of a mantra here. Largely yes, your readings at the moment are too high and need to come down. However they're not usually considered [u]dangerously[/u] high for a short period of time. Diabetes is a lifelong condition, so a few months running high is not great but you won't have done any significant harm. It is prolonged high levels that usually bring on complications or extremely high levels, which can cause serious problems especially in T1s. Also, what is high for a newly(ish) diagnosed person and what is high for someone who has had diabetes for years will be different. Some people take a very 'zero tolerance' approach to blood sugar levels. I've read several people who say they never let their sugars spike over 6, even after food. I can't achieve that myself and don't try to. However 7-8 is not in any way, shape or form 'very high'. It may well be considered above acceptable for a fasting level or higher that people would like all the time but it's certainly not very high. If you had an average bg of 8mmol, you would have an HbA1c of 6.9%, which most people would say is perfectly acceptable. You might decide you wanted to be lower than that, but that's a personal choice. I would hope your doctor imparted a small sense of urgency to getting the levels down, but I have seen plenty of people say their doctors / nurses have tried to scare them with horror stories about what will happen to them. Perhaps your doc is not panicking you. The general rule is that you want your levels to be as low as you can get them without causing further problems. The lower you get them, the less chance of complications long term BUT I think there is a real issue around sustainability and diminishing returns. Your BG readings are only part of the equation. You need a lifestyle that is acceptable and suitable for your condition. Some people have an easier run with diabetes and some people don't. Some people cope perfectly well without medication and some people can't avoid it. It's important to do what's right for you. Your blood levels should be agreed between you and your medical team, but the standard NICE targets are: [b]Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes[/b] Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l [b]Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)[/b] Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l [b]Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)[/b] Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l PS: the renal threshold for glucose is about 10mmol - that means when your levels are above 10mmol your body tries to get rid of glucose via urine and you go to the loo a lot. Your body signals that you are thirsty to replace the fluid lost and keep up the volume of urine. Once the levels come down below this, you should see a real improvement. [/QUOTE]
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