Query regarding sugar levels

tracy74 said:

I thought it was normal was for sugar levels to rise after eating but my GP said it isn't if my pancreas is regulating my insulin properly and sugar levels in a non-diabetic person should always remain stable. Is this true or can suagr levels fluctuate in non-diabetic people too?

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It's quite true that a non diabetics blood sugar levels go up after eating, especially with plenty of carbohydrate, as in your breakfast ! The difference is that a non diabetics pancreas will produce insulin to deal with the meal and bring it back to a stable level in a quicker time than someone with diabetes.

I think your GP may need a refresher course in the biology of diabetes and Human Metabolism.

isn't 4.20 close to a hypo level?

If you were a Diabetic.......yes. The Op is not apparently.

Hypoglycaemia in non - Diabetic's.........

Hypoglycaemia or low blood glucose is a condition in which the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood, drops below a certain point (about 2.5mmol/l). The condition manifests itself by a number of symptoms that usually disappear 10 to 15 minutes after eating sugar.

People differ slightly in the exact level of blood glucose at which they begin to feel symptoms of low blood sugar.

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Here is a link which explains more fully:
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/fac ... garlow.htm

Ken

Tracey.
It really all depends what sort of food you consumed. Everybody, Diabetic or not will find their Bg levels rising after a carb laden meal. It's just that a non Diabetic will get back to more normal levels more quickly. As to what is your normal level........??

They can certainly rise much higher than what your GP has stated.....much higher. My Son, who is not Diabetic once had his rise to around 20 after a massive meal with friends. 2 or 3 hrs later it was back down to normal.

Try not to worry too much.

Ken

First of all it isn't fixed numbers. It is a range. In a non Diabetic the normal range blood sugar levels will vary since the amount of glucose in an individual's blood varies due to several factors, these ranges are simply acceptable levels.

For most normal (non-diabetic) individuals, normal glucose level means a blood sugar concentration of around 6 mmol/l and above around 4 mmol/l measured about 2 hours after a meal.

These people will also have readings of 3.8 - 5.5 mmol/l fasting blood glucose level. This is usually measured 6-8 hours after your last meal. Again, it all depends on your own 'normal' levels and circumstances, foods, timings, conditions.....there are so many variables. The numbers are also different when you look at different reference books and laboratory ranges. All I will say is that if you are around those levels then I personaly wouldn't worry about them.

Ken

I didn't realise a non diabetic range was so much lower. I thought my usual 7 - 11 readings were just out of normal ranges, I guess I have never investigated what normal range is. I only ever looked at what is considered acceptable for a diabetic.
Ken, once again you have educated me!