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Type 2 Fasting levels?

Edgecop

Edgecop

Well-Known Member
Messages
65
Location
Hertfordshire
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Question? are my expectations for BS too low? I thought anything sub 7 was ok? yet it seems most are disappointed with anything 6+? I am relatively new to this so would like a view if a regular reading of 6 is an issue or should I be targeting 4's (when I do hit 4 I feel washed out to be honest)
 
Edgecop said:
Question? are my expectations for BS too low? I thought anything sub 7 was ok? yet it seems most are disappointed with anything 6+? I am relatively new to this so would like a view if a regular reading of 6 is an issue or should I be targeting 4's (when I do hit 4 I feel washed out to be honest)
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Hi Edgecop

My target range for fasting BG is 4-6, which allows room for my BG to increase after a meal and stay under 7.8/8.5 (different upper target depending on who you talk to).

So, I'm happy with a post-meal BG being between 6 and 7.8, but I wouldn't be happy with a fasting reading in this range, because it would give me little or no room to increase.

Also, I feel washed out under 5 and dreadful at 4. This is called "false hypo", where a real hypo is under 4, but we feel washed out at levels like 4-6 if they are much lower than what we have been used to. I'm told by others here on the forum that eventually we get used to lower levels and only feel washed out at 4 or lower (real hypos, which are rare for T2s).

If your fasting BG is around 6 at the moment that's ok, because if you're relatively new to this then you need time to make changes and see it gradually decrease. After a few weeks of low carbing my fasting BG is now between 5.2 and 5.8. So please be patient with yourself :)
 
It all depends on what you're aiming for, I guess.

According to the information we get in Australia on diagnosis, anything above 7 before meals is considered "unacceptable control" requiring "clinical review". Likewise anything above 10 two hours post prandial.

So, as @CatLadyNZ said, getting as high as 7 doesn't give much leeway. A bit too close for comfort for me personally as I much prefer to be as close to normal BG as I can get.
 
I do think most of us are trying to get our readings as "normal" as possible. Meters are different and so it's difficult to compare. I've only been diagnosed since February 2015 so still learning. I think your HbA1c results will help show you how you are doing. My last one was good but I'm still getting readings in the 6's. I aim for lower. There are also other factors such as illness and stress that affect readings.
 
Thanks all grateful for the opinions (useful link catinahat), Fasting BG consistently in 6 territory despite Low Carbing and seeing 4-5 regular during day- for example, evening meal last night chicken salad (same for lunch actually) and a few hours later pre bed reading 5.2- this morning 6? always seems Fasting BS reading is my highest of the day (unless I move from LC which is rare) - haven't seen a reading of 8+ for months so I guess as CatLadyNZ says I need to be patient- I am ok with that
 
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