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Fasting Blood Sugar Target Range

Hi, it took six months before my fasting blood sugar levels came down. Up until then they were always at least 1-2 points higher than the rest of the day's readings then suddenly - wham! down they came and now they are the among the lowest of my daily readings. An experienced member of this forum gave me exactly this same information six months ago- so, don't give up on hoping:)
 
Try eating a little of something low carb immediately before bed
 
Fasting readings are (by and large) a little higher (especially if a liver dump is involved) than during the day.

The numbers are generally fine but try aiming for low 7s (initially) for your first morning test after you wake. They take some time to correct back to a figure you're happy with.
 
guidelines are 4-7 during a normal day, with 8.5 2 hours after eating. This is concidered well managed. So you are in the right area, be patient, have a consistant test plan so you know what foods to you and breakfast is king for me, always always always breakfast, what ever route you choose stick to it for a while so you can have a good base reading. For myself that is a pint of water, Coffee, Wheatabix, cofee, 150g Quark yogurt and perhaps another coffee. Dull and predictable, but I know what it will do.

back to you, take time to build a picture, experiment with foods, when they work - great, when they don't - do not punish yourself. Learn and move on to the next meal.
If you have a high reading and you can excercise it off, then do it. Use what you put in and you will sleep better. If you have eaten your calories for the day learn to love herbal tea.

Most importantly be kind to yourself
 
You may, (and I would have this validated by others) be causing your body to be expecting hard work and it responds accordingly, as it would by putting glucose into your bloodstream to be used by muscles. Liver dumps happen as you wake up to get you out of your sleep. As you are not high at a fasting reading I think it is a red herring.

I would suggest what wiser people have said to me.

  • If you have had your calories for the day, and that includes ones for sport. Stop eating and learn to like hunger, it will not kill you.
  • Use the calories you put in, if you eat them last thing you will not using them effectly and could be causing 6.5 morning readings.
  • Exercise is good, if you are already lean and you do not eat enough the energy is coming from somewhere, it cannot just appear.
  • Within reason thin is easier on your body and has less diabetic complications.

What do you want your morning readings to be?

Sending you a PM
 
Control all you can. Prepare for things outside your control. Stay awesome
 
EdMac said:
Can I just ask if you achieved that through managing diet or were you on medication at the time? (I'm just evaluating my options for when I hit my target weight). Thanks @13lizanne
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I was taking 1x40mg gliclazide and 1x10mg Ramipril for the first 3 months and then med free for the second three. Although my fbg was taken BEFORE I took the gliclazide with breakfast and as it's reckoned Gliclazide works for approx 10hrs, in effect there would be no meds in my system the entire six month period. My other daily bg readings came down into the normal range within days. Hope that this helps?
 
Hi @EdMac
I have seen how hard you are working on yourself and I sense your frustration at plateauing on your BFG's although you have had that sub 6 so maybe they are coming.

I am no expert here but I really like @Sirmione suggestion of a eating a little low carb before retiring. I have come across that at different times and it is certainly something you can trial for a week and see if it has an impact.

Also I have seen a number of times that Sleep can have an impact on FBG so maybe the earplugs may have to go in each night (perhaps you can find a more comfortable set)

Let us know how you go
 
@EdMac
Great Weight results and I reckon you'll crack the BFG's. Definitely worth a try with the protein for a run of nights to see if it impacts I reckon. I'd prefer the wing! And go the flash headphones. And I'll be grumpy in the morning if I can't loose that bloody quarter of a pound over night to win that Sausage and Egg Sandwich tomorrow, Cheers
 
EdMac said:
Following a period of dieting I have started testing my fasting blood sugar levels. The last week the range has been 6.2 to 6.8. The two lowest readings came after days in which I incorporated a bout of brief but high intensity exercise. I'm yet to start exercising properly and wonder what impact that might have on readings.

I've tested a few times randomly during the day and 2 to 3 hours after a meal and the readings have been between 5.3 and 5.6. So it seems it's my fasting reading that is always high. Although when I last tested prior to dieting it was in the 8.5+ area. So it has dropped significantly, just wondering what I should be aiming for. I think the lower readings I'm getting currently would be diagnosed as pre-diabetic or Glucose Intolerant.

I'm also wondering if my disturbed sleep pattern is an issue. Unless I'm exhausted I sleep lightly and will wake several times a night usually 3 or 4 hours before I get up and then on the hour thereafter. (I used to go to the toilet but no longer need to). But if I use ear plugs (not ideal) I usually sleep right through.

And finally, I spent most of my life skipping breakfast, I used to feel mildly sick at the thought of eating early morning. Because I mostly work from home, even when I have breakfast it can be as late as 11am. So I wonder also if that may be an issue.

Any thoughts appreciated.
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I have the same case, my morning fasting readings (before meds, or meds from the previous day tapering off) are higher than the daytime fasting reading (i.e. before dinner), with meds.

Well, I'll wait for a few more months, as 13lizanne mentioned ... mine actually lowered already, it's been 3 months I think since being diagnosed, from 11 to 9 to around 6+. Maybe 3 more months and I get 5+ :)
 
EdMac said:
Following a period of dieting I have started testing my fasting blood sugar levels. The last week the range has been 6.2 to 6.8. The two lowest readings came after days in which I incorporated a bout of brief but high intensity exercise. I'm yet to start exercising properly and wonder what impact that might have on readings.

I've tested a few times randomly during the day and 2 to 3 hours after a meal and the readings have been between 5.3 and 5.6. So it seems it's my fasting reading that is always high. Although when I last tested prior to dieting it was in the 8.5+ area. So it has dropped significantly, just wondering what I should be aiming for. I think the lower readings I'm getting currently would be diagnosed as pre-diabetic or Glucose Intolerant.

I'm also wondering if my disturbed sleep pattern is an issue. Unless I'm exhausted I sleep lightly and will wake several times a night usually 3 or 4 hours before I get up and then on the hour thereafter. (I used to go to the toilet but no longer need to). But if I use ear plugs (not ideal) I usually sleep right through.

And finally, I spent most of my life skipping breakfast, I used to feel mildly sick at the thought of eating early morning. Because I mostly work from home, even when I have breakfast it can be as late as 11am. So I wonder also if that may be an issue.

Any thoughts appreciated.
Click to expand...
Hi. Have you tried having a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar diluted with water before bed? It is supposed to reduce fasting levels
 
Luca2016 said:
Hi. Have you tried having a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar diluted with water before bed? It is supposed to reduce fasting levels
Click to expand...

Interesting, will try that ... just need to find out if two tablespoons is safe ...
 
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