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Query regarding sugar levels

T

tracy74

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Hi

I wondered if I could post a query. I have not been diagnosed with diabetes as yet. I had a blood sugar test done at my GP's last week and the level was 7.9. My GP has said I need to do a fasting test now. The 7.9 reading was 45 minutes after I had eating my breakfast which was allbran and fresh orange juice. 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? I just wondered if anyone can help me out here. I did a finger prick test at the local pharmacy on Saturday and had a reading of 4.2 and another test done at 8pm last night 5 hours after eating and that was 5.9.

Many thanks for reading and helping out.

Tracy
 
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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
Click to expand...


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

Ken
 
Many thanks for your reply. My GP did mention that the sugar level can rise a bit but not as high as 7.9. Is this figure too high in a non diabetic 45 mins-1 hour after eating? I had a test done in a pharmacy 5 hours after eating a meal and that was 5.9. Is that normal at all?

Many thanks for your help,

Tracy
 
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
 
Thanks Ken. My GP has suggested monitoring sugar levels and food to see how they go. I have had a fasting test at the GP's yesterday. Does anyone know what a normal fasting level should be for non-diabetics? I did a finger prick test myself this morning and it was 5.7. Is that normal for a fasting test or too high?

Many thanks

Tracy
 
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!
 
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