My Doc Hasn’t Got A Clue

scousefly · Nov 21, 2024

So for 9 months of the year I live in the UK, the other 3 months I live in Athens. Whilst in the UK starting mid January 2024 my morning reading jumped up into double figures, every single morning without fail.

My previous 3 months to January 24 whilst in Athens it was always single figures even after the occasional night out when some alcohol was involved.

My HBA1C went from a steady 56-58 to 73when last tested in early October24 and I am now again in Athens were my blood sugar is again back to low single figures 5-7.

So far all my doctor has done is prescribe another tablet (Aloglipton 25mg) to my Metformin (1000mg twice a day) and Empagliflozin (25mg) concoction.

I am also at a loss with why this is happening. My breakfast at home is usually an oat latte and 2 rounds of granary toast whilst we walk the dog, my breakfast here in Athens is a latte with spanakopitarki (cheese and spinach pie made with filo pastry) I have half my wife eats the other and half a chocolate croissant or a slice of carrot cake. So I would say my breakfast here in Athens is unhealthier than the UK. I drink coffee during the day and have half a sandwich (always have to share :-( ) and a variety of cooked from fresh evening meals.

In the UK we go out once in the afternoon for a coffee and a sandwich and the same always cooked from fresh evening meals. To be honest there’s not a lot of difference in the evening meals between the 2 countries just some of the main ingredient.

So why is my blood sugar so much lower in Athens???

JoKalsbeek · Nov 21, 2024

scousefly said:
So for 9 months of the year I live in the UK, the other 3 months I live in Athens. Whilst in the UK starting mid January 2024 my morning reading jumped up into double figures, every single morning without fail.

My previous 3 months to January 24 whilst in Athens it was always single figures even after the occasional night out when some alcohol was involved.

My HBA1C went from a steady 56-58 to 73when last tested in early October24 and I am now again in Athens were my blood sugar is again back to low single figures 5-7.

So far all my doctor has done is prescribe another tablet (Aloglipton 25mg) to my Metformin (1000mg twice a day) and Empagliflozin (25mg) concoction.

I am also at a loss with why this is happening. My breakfast at home is usually an oat latte and 2 rounds of granary toast whilst we walk the dog, my breakfast here in Athens is a latte with spanakopitarki (cheese and spinach pie made with filo pastry) I have half my wife eats the other and half a chocolate croissant or a slice of carrot cake. So I would say my breakfast here in Athens is unhealthier than the UK. I drink coffee during the day and have half a sandwich (always have to share :-( ) and a variety of cooked from fresh evening meals.

In the UK we go out once in the afternoon for a coffee and a sandwich and the same always cooked from fresh evening meals. To be honest there’s not a lot of difference in the evening meals between the 2 countries just some of the main ingredient.

So why is my blood sugar so much lower in Athens???

I can't speak for the food... No idea what the carb content is. But there's more than food that can raise or lower blood glucose. When it's warm, you might be more sensitive to your own insulin. You might be more relaxed there, sleep better, or have a more regular schedule. Food is an issue for us, but not the only thing that'll impact our blood sugars. Maybe look in those corners for answers?

scousefly · Nov 21, 2024

JoKalsbeek said:
I can't speak for the food... No idea what the carb content is. But there's more than food that can raise or lower blood glucose. When it's warm, you might be more sensitive to your own insulin. You might be more relaxed there, sleep better, or have a more regular schedule. Food is an issue for us, but not the only thing that'll impact our blood sugars. Maybe look in those corners for answers?

My sleep is the same although after a back operation in July this year I have started to run again which meant I was out for a year of proper exercise, BUT even though I couldn't exercise last year in Greece my blood sugars were still low, also I can’t say I am always less stressed here (the Greek ways I sometimes don’t get) but no more than at home in the UK and I would say at home I have a similar (although could be consider mundane) routine

Lamont D · Nov 21, 2024

Hi, fellow Merseysider here.
The only thing that has me thinking what could be different, is the intolerance to either the oats, as I am.
Or the processed carbs, which may be more processed in the UK than in Greece.
I know from my hols in that part of the world, the wheat is more natural than the rubbish we have here.
That would give you higher BG levels.
But I would also add that living in Athens, I am jealous by the way, is a less manic, a lot less stressful, never mind the weather.
Did your doctor explain the meds?

scousefly said:
So for 9 months of the year I live in the UK, the other 3 months I live in Athens. Whilst in the UK starting mid January 2024 my morning reading jumped up into double figures, every single morning without fail.

My previous 3 months to January 24 whilst in Athens it was always single figures even after the occasional night out when some alcohol was involved.

My HBA1C went from a steady 56-58 to 73when last tested in early October24 and I am now again in Athens were my blood sugar is again back to low single figures 5-7.

So far all my doctor has done is prescribe another tablet (Aloglipton 25mg) to my Metformin (1000mg twice a day) and Empagliflozin (25mg) concoction.

I am also at a loss with why this is happening. My breakfast at home is usually an oat latte and 2 rounds of granary toast whilst we walk the dog, my breakfast here in Athens is a latte with spanakopitarki (cheese and spinach pie made with filo pastry) I have half my wife eats the other and half a chocolate croissant or a slice of carrot cake. So I would say my breakfast here in Athens is unhealthier than the UK. I drink coffee during the day and have half a sandwich (always have to share :-( ) and a variety of cooked from fresh evening meals.

In the UK we go out once in the afternoon for a coffee and a sandwich and the same always cooked from fresh evening meals. To be honest there’s not a lot of difference in the evening meals between the 2 countries just some of the main ingredient.

So why is my blood sugar so much lower in Athens???

I would add that I believe you may be eating too many carbs.
Grains, pasties and the like especially the processed ones won't help too much in keeping BG levels in control.

Best wishes.

scousefly · Nov 21, 2024

Lamont D said:
Hi, fellow Merseysider here.
The only thing that has me thinking what could be different, is the intolerance to either the oats, as I am.
Or the processed carbs, which may be more processed in the UK than in Greece.
I know from my hols in that part of the world, the wheat is more natural than the rubbish we have here.
That would give you higher BG levels.
But I would also add that living in Athens, I am jealous by the way, is a less manic, a lot less stressful, never mind the weather.
Did your doctor explain the meds?

I would add that I believe you may be eating too many carbs.
Grains, pasties and the like especially the processed ones won't help too much in keeping BG levels in control.

Best wishes.

Nice to hear from you Lamont D. Where you based in Liverpool? I was from 2 dogs fighting Believe me Athens is manic you should try driving here I thought Italy was mad plus yes the weather is better than the UK at the moment but I’m ****** that I’ve been wearing long trousers (or trackies) for a couple of weeks now I wore shorts till mid December last year

I think u could be right about the over processing of lots of the foods in the UK but I hope my HBA1C is lower when I get my next test in January

Lamont D · Nov 21, 2024

I'm in the Wirral.
I was born right by the ferry terminal. In my parents house.

With T2, it is the carbs and sugars that you have to be wary of.
But you may need to have more protein and good saturated fats.
Also how you cook them.

scousefly said:
Nice to hear from you Lamont D. Where you based in Liverpool? I was from 2 dogs fighting Believe me Athens is manic you should try driving here I thought Italy was mad plus yes the weather is better than the UK at the moment but I’m ****** that I’ve been wearing long trousers (or trackies) for a couple of weeks now I wore shorts till mid December last year

I think u could be right about the over processing of lots of the foods in the UK but I hope my HBA1C is lower when I get my next test in January

I now only eat fresh food. Then I know I'm in control.
Plenty of great fresh options in Greece.
The food is much more interesting and tastier, especially in the evening sun.

I hope it's not one then eighties trackies, the were bad man!

My Doc Hasn’t Got A Clue

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My Doc Hasn’t Got A Clue

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JoKalsbeek

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