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Question about targets for Blood Sugar levels

Dave Russell

Dave Russell

Active Member
Messages
39
Location
Huddersfield
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Broccoli, Cauliflower and Cabbage
I'm new to this, as a T2, and have many burning questions. This one is about the "target" range (please bear with me)

The page on diabetes.co.uk for Blood Sugar Range Levels states:

- Normal levels for healthy people should be between 4.0 to 5.4 mmol/L (72 to 99 mg/dL) when fasting and up to 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) 2 hours after eating.

- In a table it states for T2 diabetics the NICE recommended target range should be pre-pandial and post-prandial for T2 are 4 to 7 mmol/L and under 8.5 mmol/L, respectively. This table doesn't include fasting.

So, I'm awaiting an appointment with a nutritionist, but I've purchased a BG monitor (Accu-chek Instant) and using an app (mySugr), so I feel much more on control. Though, I knew it would raise more questions.

I understand the ranges can be individual and whilst I'm pleased that, within two days, my levels are within the default "range" (5.0 - 8.9). Maybe not much to give a pattern, but I understand these are just ensuring there is no danger of complications.

So my question:

1) shouldn't I be targeting a healthy persons range?

2) what if I go below 5.0, as set out on the app? (Or recommended level I'm hoping to find out when I get an appointment?
 
Last edited:
bulkbiker said:
1. Yes

2. Cheer and say well done me.
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I'll add
My personal targets are to be between 4.0 and 6.5 mmol/l at all times.

I can only go lower than 4 on an extended fast (days not hours) and haven't done one of those for a couple of years.

My most recent HbA1c was just over 30 mol/mol so I might try an extended fast in the new year to give myself a "great reset".

My FBG has been higher than I would like recently, I think due to poor sleep partly due to concerns about where the world is heading.

Edit to further add. that 6.5 mmol/l would be 2 hours post prandial although eating very few carbs my bloods rarely go above 6 post meal.
 
Dave Russell said:
1) shouldn't I be targeting a healthy persons range?
Click to expand...
Of course, if you can this is obviously better!
Unless you're on medication which can cause hypos, in that case you might want to make sure you're not dipping too low.
Are you on medication?
Dave Russell said:
2) what if I go below 5.0, as set out on the app? (Or recommended level I'm hoping to find out when I get an appointment?
Click to expand...
Again, nothing, unless you're on certain medication.

If you're unmedicated or on metformin only, there's nothing wrong with being in the 4's, which is perfectly normal and healthy, and even a little below 4 is normal in non diabetics.

Diabetes is a condition of high blood glucose, not of low bg, no need to worry about that. Again, depending on medication.
 
Antje77 said:
Of course, if you can this is obviously better!
Unless you're on medication which can cause hypos, in that case you might want to make sure you're not dipping too low.
Are you on medication?

Again, nothing, unless you're on certain medication.

If you're unmedicated or on metformin only, there's nothing wrong with being in the 4's, which is perfectly normal and healthy, and even a little below 4 is normal in non diabetics.

Diabetes is a condition of high blood glucose, not of low bg, no need to worry about that. Again, depending on medication.
Click to expand...

I've been told I'll be able to manage it on diet - I'm in a lucky place - , so no medication. Although, the problem is that I've not been given any other details, other than told to research. Whilst I'm grateful, the problem I've had is I've got no baseline to know where I'm at or where I'm heading (I was given my hba1c, but kept reading about mmol/L and mg/dL, but this meant nothing at the tine). Yes, I've cut out the chocolate, buscuits and beers, and changed my otherwise healthy lifestyle for a healthier lifestyle immediately - now a Half-Marathon in May.

The reason I've purchased the test kit, despite reading this wasn't necessary for my level - as I said I'm lucky, I wanted control. I sent another post asking and there doesn't appear to be harm in it also considering Joe Blogs could buy one. It's made me feel much better (mentally) in just two days.
 
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Hello from Canada
A word on bgl here in Canada. The general goal is less than 7 upon waking. Pre meal 5-7. Two hours post meal less than 8.
Eating guidelines are fairly easy. Reduce simple carbs and increase fibre. Personally I try to follow a diet that excludes potatoes, white rice and white bread. I find that most helpful when I can stick to it with the following exception.
The glucose index of foods produced by J Brand Miller of Australia are most helpful when choosing which foods in a group raise bsl’s the least. Using the index I learned sourdough bread does not spike blood sugars like other white breads.
My first post in this forum so I will leave this for now with hopes that it provides some insight.
Best Regards and Happy New Year
 
1pilgrim said:
Hello from Canada
A word on bgl here in Canada. The general goal is less than 7 upon waking. Pre meal 5-7. Two hours post meal less than 8.
Eating guidelines are fairly easy. Reduce simple carbs and increase fibre. Personally I try to follow a diet that excludes potatoes, white rice and white bread. I find that most helpful when I can stick to it with the following exception.
The glucose index of foods produced by J Brand Miller of Australia are most helpful when choosing which foods in a group raise bsl’s the least. Using the index I learned sourdough bread does not spike blood sugars like other white breads.
My first post in this forum so I will leave this for now with hopes that it provides some insight.
Best Regards and Happy New Year
Click to expand...

Thank you. (My wife) and I have cut down massively on carbs. I notice having an extra tortilla wrap with my 3 bean soup for lunch made a difference. Although Id also just finished a 2.5 mile run.

Many thanks and happy new year.
 
Dave Russell said:
I've been told I'll be able to manage it on diet - I'm in a lucky place - , so no medication.
Click to expand...
No worry about low BG, perfect!
Dave Russell said:
Although, the problem is that I've not been given any other details, other than told to research. Whilst I'm grateful, the problem I've had is I've got no baseline to know where I'm at or where I'm heading (I was given my hba1c
Click to expand...
Looks like research is exactly what you are doing! :)
The hba1c is a good baseline. If you remember what it was you can look up what your average bg must have been.
Dave Russell said:
Yes, I've cut out the chocolate, buscuits and beers, and changed my otherwise healthy lifestyle for a healthier lifestyle immediately - now a Half-Marathon in May.
Click to expand...
The basics is pretty straight forward really. All carbs turn to glucose, so if your meter tells you a particular meal made you rise a lot, that meal had more carbs than your body could handle.

Many of our members have brought their bg back to healthy numbers by reducing the carbs they eat. For some it's enough to just reduce a little, others need to reduce them by a lot, and some need medication too, despite reducing carbs.
That's where your meter comes in, it can tell you meal by meal what your body thinks of your food, no need to choose a particular diet based on what someone on the internet, a dietitian or a diabetes nurse says!

You might like to have a read of this, although you might find you don't need to go very low on carbs. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog/jokalsbeek.401801/
 
Dave Russell said:
I notice having an extra tortilla wrap with my 3 bean soup for lunch made a difference.
Click to expand...
Check the beans too, and if the soup was brought rather than home made it could also have other spiking ingredients in it.
I used to love the "fresh soups" thinking they were healthy, but my meter says "no"
 
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