- Messages
- 288
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
Hi,
After being diabetic for well over 30 years I thought I knew at least the basics of how it all works (or doesn't work) but here's something I've just found out about.
I always thought that, as a diabetic, excercise would lower your blood sugar. But it seems that's not always the case...
I have had a few experiences where I have done a blood test before cycling and the result was about 10 - 12ish. I then cycle a few miles into town then, about 30mins later cycle home again (about 5 miles total @ about 15 mph). Once home my bs level has risen to above 20!!
My specialist told me that I am running out of insulin. This in turn means that the glucose, needed for energy by the muscles, cannot be absorbed from the blood stream into the muscles. The liver still releases glucose into the blood stream because you are doing the excercise but without the insulin, it remains there, giving the high bs reading.
Therefore the advice seems to be that if you have a high bs (11-17) excercise with caution and if it's above 14 with keytones present do not excercise.
I got hold of a copy of "Diabetes & Sport" issued by Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust which goes into this subject very well and has some interesting tips.
After being diabetic for well over 30 years I thought I knew at least the basics of how it all works (or doesn't work) but here's something I've just found out about.
I always thought that, as a diabetic, excercise would lower your blood sugar. But it seems that's not always the case...
I have had a few experiences where I have done a blood test before cycling and the result was about 10 - 12ish. I then cycle a few miles into town then, about 30mins later cycle home again (about 5 miles total @ about 15 mph). Once home my bs level has risen to above 20!!
My specialist told me that I am running out of insulin. This in turn means that the glucose, needed for energy by the muscles, cannot be absorbed from the blood stream into the muscles. The liver still releases glucose into the blood stream because you are doing the excercise but without the insulin, it remains there, giving the high bs reading.
Therefore the advice seems to be that if you have a high bs (11-17) excercise with caution and if it's above 14 with keytones present do not excercise.
I got hold of a copy of "Diabetes & Sport" issued by Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust which goes into this subject very well and has some interesting tips.