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I am confused about "normal" blood sugar levels

cocobee

cocobee

Member
Hi All

My doctor told me I am prediabetic but dont need to test my blood sugars. I disagree. I want to test them everyday to prevent getting Type 2 diabetes (strong family history), plus get them down as much as I can to avoid things like heart attack (I've been reading Blood Sugar 101 and I ask myself "am I getting too obsessive or paranoid here?")

However, when I try to find "numbers" to aim for, there is conflicting information out there. I want to get my BSL down to the normal range again. From what you know, please let me know what the numbers for "normal" are? ie for Fasting and Postprandial 1 and 2 hours after meals.

Thanks very much in advance.

PS I am not on meds. I want to try and achieve this without meds if possible.
 
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Welcome to The Forum - In answer to your question - Fasting - 4 to 7, Post Prandial - less than 8.5 and Bedtime - at least 6.5.
 
Hi,

Personally, I find the arguments and evidence in the bloodsugar101 website convincing. I want an hba1c below prediabetic levels and I don't want my blood glucose rising above 7 at any time.

Those are goals that I don't always achieve, but they give me somewhere to aim. And at these levels I feel well. At higher levels, I don't.

(Pre) diabetes is a long game, and we often don't realise what damage that has been done until long afterwards, so I think it pays to err on the side of caution.
 
asparagusp said:
Welcome to The Forum - In answer to your question - Fasting - 4 to 7, Post Prandial - less than 8.5 and Bedtime - at least 6.5.
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If my bedtime was at least 6.5 I think i'd know I had eaten the wrong things.. please don't assume that everyone is on the same meds as you. Especially newcomers.
 
Everyone thank you so much for taking the time to send me your replies. I really appreciate your advice. Think I will follow the guidelines in here and aim for lower. I had to ask as I looked at three different sites (here, AMA, Blood Sugar 101) and all had different answers to the question I was asking about what is normal.
 
cocobee said:
Everyone thank you so much for taking the time to send me your replies. I really appreciate your advice. Think I will follow the guidelines in here and aim for lower. I had to ask as I looked at three different sites (here, AMA, Blood Sugar 101) and all had different answers to the question I was asking about what is normal.
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Probably because no-one really knows what is normal! Even "normal" people react differently from each other.
Best just to set your own targets within the NHS guidelines to start with, and when you reach them, set some lower ones.

I couldn't agree more with @bulkbiker about the bedtime level. @asparagusp is on insulin so needs a higher bedtime level to avoid going too low over night. If I were 6.5 or more at bedtime I would be horrified.
 
asparagusp said:
The figures that I give fall in line with a reputable organisation - NICE - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng...and-target-levels#target-blood-glucose-levels Yes of course these are guidelines and everyone is different.
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Your link goes to NICE guidelines for blood sugar targets for people with type 1 diabetes, i.e people on insulin. Your link doesn't provide a pre bed minimum, it just says keep it 4-7 the rest of the day. There's no reason anyone who is not taking blood sugar lowering medication should be concerned about a minimum bedtime blood sugar.

This page - https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Managing-your-diabetes/Testing/ - provides information on targets for normal blood sugar (3.5 to 5.5 before eating and less than 8 2 hrs after eating).
 
asparag[SIZE=4]usp said:
The figures that I give fall in line with a reputable organisation - NICE - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng...and-target-levels#target-blood-glucose-levels Yes of course these are guidelines and everyone is different.
Click to expand...

The heading of that NICE guidance is, and I quote,

Type 1 diabetes in adults: diagnosis and management

The OP is pre-diabetic. Please be careful what you quote to a new member who has said she is confused about these matters.

Edit. Apologies @catapillar I hadn't seen your post.
 
Hi @cocobee ,

You're quite correct regarding using a meter for the checking of daily & indeed post meal effects of diet.. :cool:

Us insulin dependant types have slightly different "recomended" figures. Think of it as a "safety net" against hypoglycaemia which is a hazard with the meds used.. In short for any insulin user.? The NHS don't like to see us in a potential coma..

In addition I wish to welcome you to the forum.
& enjoy the wealth of knowledge the diet controlled Ds have to offer. They'll see you alright! ;)
 
asparagusp said:
The figures that I give fall in line with a reputable organisation - NICE - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng...and-target-levels#target-blood-glucose-levels Yes of course these are guidelines and everyone is different.
Click to expand...
But you should read that in conjunction with other missives from NICE "1.6.13Do not routinely offer self-monitoring of blood glucose levels for adults with type 2 diabetes..."
The figures you quote, particularly the before bed figure is for Type 1's on insulin
 
walnut_face said:
But you should read that in conjunction with other missives from NICE "1.6.13Do not routinely offer self-monitoring of blood glucose levels for adults with type 2 diabetes..."
The figures you quote, particularly the before bed figure is for Type 1's on insulin
Click to expand...

Indeed. The figure quoted for an insulin user at "bed time" is a "guideline" to help prevent nocturnal hypos which may occur on the basal insulin profile's action during the night/early hours...

Certainly not applicable to a diet managed diabetic.
 
asparagusp said:
The figures that I give fall in line with a reputable organisation - NICE - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng...and-target-levels#target-blood-glucose-levels Yes of course these are guidelines and everyone is different.
Click to expand...
asparagusp said:
The figures that I give fall in line with a reputable organisation - NICE - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng...and-target-levels#target-blood-glucose-levels Yes of course these are guidelines and everyone is different.
Click to expand...
Please point me to the bit that says 6.5 or above before going to bed? And this is the same NICE that tells us we shouldn't be testing and should follow the Eatwell plate.. If you want to believe their lies then fine but reputable.. hmm I think not.
 
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