High Blood Sugar Levels for the last month

Hi

It's sad to hear once again that the level of care and patient involvement in diabetes is not as it should be. Testing your blood is not only about trying to identify hypos but is also so useful by those newly diagnosed in finding out what foods cause you problems by way of increasing your blood glucose levels. We are all different and foods affect us in different ways. There are many parts of this forum dealing with diet so you might want to have a look at old postings. In any case, my message would be that what you eat is very important in blood sugar control.

As to the metformin, it is, perhaps, early days as to whether it will be enough to get your blood sugars down to an acceptable level.

Take care

Doug

Hi Gerri,

I am not medically qualified, but in my opinion your blood sugars are too high. What sort of diet are you eating? If you are just eating "normally", or are following the NHS diet, you may need to cut down on carbohydrates.

I take it from your original post that you have a meter to test your BGs, despite your nurse's comments. In your place I would start a methodical testing regime. Test your BGs first thing in the morning (they may be high then; something called the "Dawn Phenomenon").

Then test just before, and 2 hours after, eating. If your 2-hours-after reading is within a point or two of the 'before' reading, that's not too bad. If it's way up, you have eaten something you can't handle - something full of carbohydrates. Keep a diary. Write down everything you eat, and all your BG readings.

The levels you are aiming for are: 4 to 7 fasting/before meals; less than 7.8, 2 hours after.

If you have been running high for a while, don't be alarmed if it takes a while to get down to these levels; it's best to take it fairly slowly to start with. Aim to get everything under 10 at first. Cut out, or cut down on: bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, sweetcorn, any baked goods, breakfast cereal etc. Also anything with added sugar (read the labels). Switch from white to brown - wholegrain bread, brown basmati rice, wholemeal pasta - and small portions. Go for green leafy veg and salads rather than things grown underground. Don't be afraid to eat good natural fats and oils - I almost live on mayonnaise! (within reason, of course :lol: )

Get yourself a Carb Counter book - Collins do one in their Gem series - and count the carbs in everytihng you eat for a while - you may get a surprise!

I'm assuming you're Type 2, by the way.

Your nurse may be trying not to alarm you, but she is not giving you the best advice, in my opinion. Have a serious look at what you're eating, see where you can control your carb intake, keep testing and keep a diary!

Good luck :thumbup:

Viv 8)