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Erratic readings

Covlocks

Covlocks

Active Member
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Only been diagnosed T2 for a month so still collating information. No help from GP or the nurse, told not to bother with a meter, just never eat sugar again, never drink alcohol again, avoid all carbs, and come back at the end of January when he will retest me and put me on some meds.

As a good patient, ignored this scant advice, reduced my food and alcohol intake, bought a tester and test several times a day recording what I have eaten, what is good and what is bad for my BG levels.

Today I am confused - got out of bed and I was 10.1, had a musseli breakfast (no added sugar) went to work and had lunch of 1 piece of rye bread with houmous (didnt test after lunch as was driving ) - tested whist cooking dinner this evening and got 17.9 - wow I thought duff test strip, so did it again with different finger and got 14. Still dont believe this so did it again and got 12.

Its a new pack of strips, meter tested OK - so any clues as to what is going on would be appreciated.
 
Hi

Muesli can be a big problem for some people, because, even though it can be low sugar it is fairly high in carbs. So, I'd say try doing some tests around that. ie try a test an hour after eating it, and 2 hours after eating it. If you are having it with milk, this could also make BGs higher.... But hopefully you'll be getting a 2 hr post prandial ( post eating) reading of 8 or better,a reading of under 7.8mmol/L. If your meter tells you it's higher, then you might have to reassess your portion size or the type of muesli that you are having - or indeed think about other breakfast options.

Rye bread can also be a problem, unfortunately ..... and of course, chick peas too have their own carb content.........

Portion sizes and exercise taken after eating all have an impact on the BG readings.

Sorry if I sound negative !! I've been diagnosed since March and I have been amazed at what certain foods can do to my BGs. It's all trial and error and I think you're going about it the right way - using your meter and trying to learn as you go.

Your first reading in the morning sounds too high and the pre-dinner one is definitely very high - so maybe you should be getting a second opinion from your doctor sooner than the end of January. I'd give them a ring and get an appointment.

High BG levels can also be recorded if you are becoming unwell - also if you are dehydrated etc.

Hopefully you'll get to the bottom of it.

But keep going with the tests, keep records so that when you go to the doctor you've got it down in black and white.

Good luck and don't forget, it's early days and there is a lot to take on board.

Cathy N

ps it could be some malfunction of the meter/strips but I would think that the 3 readings you took in quick succession would be a lot more random. They are all within a small range - and even the lowest is far too high.
 
One thing did you wash your hands before tests as you could have something on finger which can make different fingers have different readings
 
Have to admit - I didnt :( - i had been preping the dinner veg ready for the steamer. That could explain it.
10.2 on getting up for work this morning - I think I have enough readings now to give to my GP, so I will book a visit this week.
 
Glad you're going to the docs again. Especially in light of your morning readings. Those seem too high, and you may need help in getting those down. 6.0mmol/L is good to aim for. Also, if you start your day so high you are guaranteed to go into higher BGs when you eat etc.

There's loads of advice on here, so keep asking questions!

Good luck at the docs.
 
Hi Covlocks, I have had to give up cereals for breakfast, even porridge gave me an enormous spike. Now I have either an Atkins shake, or bacon and eggs or some low carb bread, or even greek yoghurt with berries and chopped walnuts.

I have found that low carb eating means a kind of rethink, but, and its a big BUT, you start to feel so good when your sugars come down, its really worth it.

:)
 
Just my small contribution.

It takes several weeks for the effects of low-carbs to become "steady" and sadly Muesli is definitely a "carb-hazard"

The suggestions around yoghurt (high-fat Greek, not Low-fat) and Bacon and eggs are good, for a low-carb diet.

The use of a meter is good but you have to know what's going on in the background, as ever, the book to read (IMHO) is Dr. Bernstein's.

Good Luck with the diet! :clap: I went from HbA1c of 9.6% to 5.2% regular in four months of low-carb dieting, I lost a lot of weight and feel brilliant for the first time in years. It worked for me, I hope it works for you.

all the best. :thumbup:
 
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