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First thing in the morning readings

V

vit90

Well-Known Member
Messages
843
Location
UK
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Have been reading about the 'dawn' effect, so should I expect a higher reading within an hour of getting up than say before lunch? This morning it was 6.7 instead of before meal trends of about 5.5.
 
Yes, that could be the dawn affect. The body increases blood glucose levels in the early morning in anticipation of having to fight off predators or traffic or whatever. Not everybody has that happen, though.
 
Yes, if our livers think we are low (lower than it is used to) it will dump glucose in our blood stream to save us from what it thinks is starvation. It happens most often in the early morning after a night of fasting, but can also happen at other times. This is why it is best for us to have a low carb breakfast as soon as we get up. If we skip breakfast, the dump can keep rising and impact on our lunch spike.
 
I seem to always have this,even though my nurse told me my morning (fasting) reading should be lower because Ive not eaten. To be honest, Ive had much better support and advise from this site than the NHS
 
MrsMoose said:
I seem to always have this,even though my nurse told me my morning (fasting) reading should be lower because Ive not eaten. To be honest, Ive had much better support and advise from this site than the NHS
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I think you need to educate your nurse! Our surgery no longer does fasting tests on diagnosed diabetics because there are too many variables such as liver dumps and stress after rushing about getting to the surgery and so on.
 
I had a late breakfast (10.30) and only had a 200 calorie supper the night before, so fasting basically for about 15 hours. Disappointed that my reading before breakfast was 5.9 and I never seem to be able to get under 5 for fasting readings. On the other hand I have never seen readings above 7 at any time either.
 
She's not even a diabetic nurse - she's a practice nurse. I dont have a diabetic nurse. All I have had is a diagnosis and apparently a referral to go on a diabetes awarenss course.
 
vit90 said:
I had a late breakfast (10.30) and only had a 200 calorie supper the night before, so fasting basically for about 15 hours. Disappointed that my reading before breakfast was 5.9 and I never seem to be able to get under 5 for fasting readings. On the other hand I have never seen readings above 7 at any time either.
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Some people are naturally sweeter than others, and you may be one of the sweet ones with a natural fasting level of 5's. Mine have never gone under 5, even if I go to bed on a 4. The lower at bedtime, the more of a liver dump I get. It seems to be where my liver prefers me to be, and as my liver is clever, I will accept its decision. If ever your full medical records go on line (March 2015 for us) it will be interesting to look back to before diabetic days to see what FBG tests were. Generally speaking, our lowest levels will be before evening meal.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
Some people are naturally sweeter than others, and you may be one of the sweet ones with a natural fasting level of 5's. Mine have never gone under 5, even if I go to bed on a 4. The lower at bedtime, the more of a liver dump I get. It seems to be where my liver prefers me to be, and as my liver is clever, I will accept its decision. If ever your full medical records go on line (March 2015 for us) it will be interesting to look back to before diabetic days to see what FBG tests were. Generally speaking, our lowest levels will be before evening meal.
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Maybe but my fasting BG via venous blood sample a week before I started my diet and exercise was only 4.5.
 
vit90 said:
Maybe but my fasting BG via venous blood sample a week before I started my diet and exercise was only 4.5.
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Maybe not as sweet as I was suggesting. ;) You are worrying too much and being hard on yourself. There is nothing wrong with your levels. Between 4 and 5.9 is perfectly acceptable for a non-diabetic. (NICE)
 
Doing a starvation-mimicking diet may have something to do with it :) Anyway, I want my liver to convert its fat to get rid of it...
 
Oh well, 2 hours after a late lunch (indulgent as I allowed myself some 25g solids dark chocolate on top of the tuna and boiled egg plus a few almonds) - 5.7. Took four goes to get the blood though!

EDIT: oops - it was 50g of the chocolate (2 strips...)

EDIT again - I meant 50% coco solid dark chocolate (but yes, 50g worth!)
 
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Good reading this morning before brek.......................6.0. I'm happy with that.

doctor-04.gif Got to see the quack this afternoon, 1st visit since coming home from hospital on 18th Nov. He has the results of the blood test now so I'll probably get told I have a lot more things wrong with me and how in his opinion I shouldn't even be here but never mind all that, just take 4 of these 2 times a day for infinity and come and see me again in say 4 years. :D
 
I'm starting in the 16 inch pizza and amber nectar immediately :D :) LOL!

Seriously - congratulations and stay motivated!
 
Will you be getting your latest HbA1c and fasting glucose results today?
 
vit90 said:
I'm starting in the 16 inch pizza and amber nectar immediately :D :) LOL!

Seriously - congratulations and stay motivated!
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Thanks Vit90, I've got the bug now so determined to keep at it. Oh and steady with the toppings.:D
 
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