Hi, I’ve just had my annual review and my HbA1c is 41. It was 45 in May and 53 in February when I was diagnosed. I’ve just found out I’m pregnant after a miscarriage this time last year, so I’m keen to do all I can to keep this pregnancy. My problem is my morning readings. I’m around 7.3-7.6 and my diabetes nurse has recommended I increase my pm metformin dose to 1g (I’m currently on 500mg am & pm). What else can I do to reduce this? I have minimal carbs, walk after meals, try to eat before 7pm. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you
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Morning fasting levels
- Thread starter BMMP
- Start Date
Hi and welcome to the forum @BMMP . Congratulations on your pregnancy.
Firstly, morning fasting blood sugars can rise due to Dawn Phenomenon. It’s a natural upswing in blood sugars which prepare the body for activity. Blood sugars begin to rise between 3am - 4am. They usually come back down again once you are up and mobile, how quickly they do is dependant on how strong your insulin response is. DP is a natural phenomena.
I tend to eat early, before 5 pm. I also exercise quite a bit . I was dealing with a DP rise of between 8-10 mmols, but it’s come down to around 6.5. My HbA1C is slightly lower than yours. I’m on a drug that increases insulin production.
Pregnancy can bring with it a rise in insulin resistance , due to pregnancy hormones. Insulin resistance means your body is not as efficient in untilizing insulin. It means your blood sugars circulate in your blood stream instead of entering your muscle cells.
Are you using a CGM device or just a glucometer? If you are not using a CGM it might be worth purchasing one or taking advantage of any free trials that are available. A CGM or Continuous Glucose Monitor , monitors your blood sugars continuously using a sensor. They allow you to see what your blood sugars are doing at any given moment. These sensors have a life span of around 14 days.
A CGM is great for showing you your daily blood sugar patterns or any trends. It will tell you what your blood sugars are doing after you eat , how high your rise is, and for how long. You can make food adjustments to curb your rises. Bringing down your blood sugars, even by a small amount, may help bring down your DP rises. I use a CGM and I find them extremely useful.
Firstly, morning fasting blood sugars can rise due to Dawn Phenomenon. It’s a natural upswing in blood sugars which prepare the body for activity. Blood sugars begin to rise between 3am - 4am. They usually come back down again once you are up and mobile, how quickly they do is dependant on how strong your insulin response is. DP is a natural phenomena.
I tend to eat early, before 5 pm. I also exercise quite a bit . I was dealing with a DP rise of between 8-10 mmols, but it’s come down to around 6.5. My HbA1C is slightly lower than yours. I’m on a drug that increases insulin production.
Pregnancy can bring with it a rise in insulin resistance , due to pregnancy hormones. Insulin resistance means your body is not as efficient in untilizing insulin. It means your blood sugars circulate in your blood stream instead of entering your muscle cells.
Are you using a CGM device or just a glucometer? If you are not using a CGM it might be worth purchasing one or taking advantage of any free trials that are available. A CGM or Continuous Glucose Monitor , monitors your blood sugars continuously using a sensor. They allow you to see what your blood sugars are doing at any given moment. These sensors have a life span of around 14 days.
A CGM is great for showing you your daily blood sugar patterns or any trends. It will tell you what your blood sugars are doing after you eat , how high your rise is, and for how long. You can make food adjustments to curb your rises. Bringing down your blood sugars, even by a small amount, may help bring down your DP rises. I use a CGM and I find them extremely useful.
Duncan Mackay
Member
- Messages
- 21
- Type of diabetes
- LADA
- Treatment type
- Insulin
Further to @Melgar good advice, you can get a free CGM to try out from Dexcom. Lasts10 days and provides some very insightful information on how your blood glucose levels vary overnight, with different foods and activities.
www.dexcom.com
The New Dexcom ONE+ | Dexcom
The Dexcom ONE+ is our newest Continuous Glucose Monitoring system that is smaller, faster and even easier to use.
Thank you for your response. I have a glucometer, as the NHS won’t fund a CGM. Unfortunately, after looking into one, I cannot afford the private cost of one so I’ll look for a free trial of one. Thank you. I had gestational diabetes with my son 3 years ago, and had very high insulin resistance then. I am making better choices this time, so I have my fingers crossed I can do better this time.
Thank you so much. This is really helpful.
