Higher FBG results: when to see GP

[hose1975]

I had GD and was on insulin for both of my pregnancies; diet didn't cut it at all. Was told that it was a case of when, not if I went on to develop diabetes even with good eating, exercising and keeping my weight down.

I do a fingerprick FBG test every month just to monitor things, although I'm aware that it isn't the greatest gauge of blood sugar control and that I probably ought to do full-day testing every once in a while too. Usually the results are around the 5.4mmol/l range, but this morning's was 6.9 (hands were clean). I know that in and of itself this is not statistically significant; it could be an outlier. The question is what to do now: should I do a few more mornings in a row and see if the result stays elevated, or should I continue to test once per month and see if the same results occur? How many high readings should trigger a trip to my GP?

I'm currently battling a bout of Hashimoto's and that's making me feel a bit ****** and tired, but I'm eating well (keeping my carbohydrates to 50% of my daily calorie intake or less) and still exercising.

All advice most gratefully received,

Jo

 

[Gudrun]

I had GD and was on insulin for both of my pregnancies; diet didn't cut it at all. Was told that it was a case of when, not if I went on to develop diabetes even with good eating, exercising and keeping my weight down.

I do a fingerprick FBG test every month just to monitor things, although I'm aware that it isn't the greatest gauge of blood sugar control and that I probably ought to do full-day testing every once in a while too. Usually the results are around the 5.4mmol/l range, but this morning's was 6.9 (hands were clean). I know that in and of itself this is not statistically significant; it could be an outlier. The question is what to do now: should I do a few more mornings in a row and see if the result stays elevated, or should I continue to test once per month and see if the same results occur? How many high readings should trigger a trip to my GP?

I'm currently battling a bout of Hashimoto's and that's making me feel a bit ****** and tired, but I'm eating well (keeping my carbohydrates to 50% of my daily calorie intake or less) and still exercising.

All advice most gratefully received,

Jo

Hi Jo

I would definitely check your fasting blood sugar levels every morning for a while. 6.9 is quite high for a prediabetic who was used to seeing readings in the mid-5s. Check it for a week or a month and take the average.

The readings can vary and may not be anything to worry about (I have had a reading of 6.2 on one finger, and immediately took blood from another finger and it was 4.7), but then again, you don't want to risk ignoring something that needs to be dealt with NOW.

good luck. And let us know how you get on.

 

[Harpar]

Also worth remembering that any inflammation will cause BGs to rise, as your Hashi is on the go at the moment that could well be the cause. I would keep checking for a while if you can, plus a few post-prandial readings just to check that everything is still OK.