Running and Blood Sugar Levels

[rwm1561]

Is it normal for blood sugar level in type 2 diabetics to rise after exercise?
Last night my reading was 4.7 before running 5Km and straight after this had risen to 7.5. I would have expected the reading to go down if anything not up, is there a logical explanation for this?

 

[jim1951]

rwm1561

I cannot give you a logical explanation but I do know that after strenuous exercise your levels can initially rise. If you google the question I am sure you will get an explanation, or, somebody more knowledgeable than me will come along!

jim

 

[mo1905]

Quite common for levels to rise. Initially, levels drop due to exercise, levels drop low and body kicks in and automatically releases glucose for energy to counteract the low. There is more fancy science behind it but that's the very basic version lol

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[rwm1561]

rwm1561

I cannot give you a logical explanation but I do know that after strenuous exercise your levels can initially rise. If you google the question I am sure you will get an explanation, or, somebody more knowledgeable than me will come along!

jim

Cheers Jim, took your advice and it said Low insulin coupled with physical activity stimulates the secretion of several other hormones such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, glucagon, and growth hormone. Collectively these hormones trigger the liver to release glucose into the blood, thereby increasing the BG rather than decreasing it. Maybe I should just stop running

rwm1561

I cannot give you a logical explanation but I do know that after strenuous exercise your levels can initially rise. If you google the question I am sure you will get an explanation, or, somebody more knowledgeable than me will come along!

 

[mo1905]

Don't give up the running. Just understand that the BG rise is a natural occurance and is tempory. The benefits of regular exercise far outweigh the occasional temporary rise in your levels.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[rwm1561]

Don't give up the running. Just understand that the BG rise is a natural occurance and is tempory. The benefits of regular exercise far outweigh the occasional temporary rise in your levels.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

Cheers Mo, One benefit is that on longer runs I wont need to buy any energy drinks as the old liver will be supplying its own

 

[AlexMBrennan]

is there a logical explanation for this?

Yes, the "BG up = carbs eaten" is a ridiculously oversimplified lie-to-children which falls apart all the time. Simply put, hormones (e.g. released in response to stress, exercise, illness) have a massive impact on BG but this is a little known fact (e.g. cortisone injections can induce hyperglycemia in healthy people without a change in diet).

If you keep exercising, you will get better at the activity and should expect less of a rise from the same activity (e.g. 30min running at 10km/h); on the other hand, you may want to increase the intensity as you get better, counteracting this.

If you want to know more, I'd suggest this book

 

[rwm1561]

Yes, the "BG up = carbs eaten" is a ridiculously oversimplified lie-to-children which falls apart all the time. Simply put, hormones (e.g. released in response to stress, exercise, illness) have a massive impact on BG but this is a little known fact (e.g. cortisone injections can induce hyperglycemia in healthy people without a change in diet).

If you keep exercising, you will get better at the activity and should expect less of a rise from the same activity (e.g. 30min running at 10km/h); on the other hand, you may want to increase the intensity as you get better, counteracting this.

If you want to know more, I'd suggest this book

Hi Alex,I will certainly give the book a try.
Cheers
John

 

[semiphonic]

I can't be of any help as I don't run anymore unless -
A/ Someone/something is chasing me
B/ last orders has been called at the pub

But, @Andy12345 and @borofergie both run marathons so hopefully one or both will come along and give you some advice

 

[Andy12345]

Hi, welcome

i agree with everything already said, especially with @mo1905 keep doing it

my favourite saying... "unless you puke, faint or die... keep going" it doesn't mention blood sugar

 

[hazel p]

Is it normal for blood sugar level in type 2 diabetics to rise after exercise?
Last night my reading was 4.7 before running 5Km and straight after this had risen to 7.5. I would have expected the reading to go down if anything not up, is there a logical explanation for this?

Yes! This took me a while to find out and am glad I know, I'm type 1 with a pump so think it's easier for me. I cycle and find before excising I need to up my sugar and reduce my insulin. During exercise your liver produces glucose and feeds your muscles. This sugar stays around after you stop exercising plus your muscles then 'dump' the excess glucose back into your blood stream for your body and pancreas to sort. After exercise I have to increase my pump to 200% and give a bolus to compensate. Go to run sweet website. That's helpful. I'm not sure how you tackle this as a type 2. Good luck.

 

[phildevitt]

Is it normal for blood sugar level in type 2 diabetics to rise after exercise?
Last night my reading was 4.7 before running 5Km and straight after this had risen to 7.5. I would have expected the reading to go down if anything not up, is there a logical explanation for this?

i run approx 55 kms per week in 13/14 km bouts. early in morning without food. only drink diluting juice beforehand (about 1 litre) generally get a spike at end of run. but returns to normal around . a reading of 5 within 30 mins of finishing. doctor says thats ok. keep up the running. better to exercise than not. good luck

 

[GRAHAM3551]

Yes this is a well known, if not well understood, phenomenon, I do 2 minutes of fierce exercise on my exercise bike (pushing up blood glucose if under 5.5) followed by 8 minutes of much milder exercise , this always lowers my bg, so need to be careful afterwards. I figure that the exercise is always beneficial and increases insulin sensitivity.

 

[rwm1561]

i run approx 55 kms per week in 13/14 km bouts. early in morning without food. only drink diluting juice beforehand (about 1 litre) generally get a spike at end of run. but returns to normal around . a reading of 5 within 30 mins of finishing. doctor says thats ok. keep up the running. better to exercise than not. good luck

Cheers Phil,intend to keep it up and maybe even get one more marathon in ( last one was 1987 )

 

[Bebo321]

Cheers Jim, took your advice and it said Low insulin coupled with physical activity stimulates the secretion of several other hormones such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, glucagon, and growth hormone. Collectively these hormones trigger the liver to release glucose into the blood, thereby increasing the BG rather than decreasing it. Maybe I should just stop running

Hi there,

Your liver is kicking out glucose as a stress response to your higher heart rate - you are obviously working quite hard when you run, which is great. What you may find however is if you want to bring your blood glucose levels down, just run a little slower, or combine your running with a bit of walking.

For more information around exercise and type 2 diabetes, take a look at
http://www.teambloodglucose.com/TeamBG/Kit_bag_Exercise.html, and find the explanation for what happens to blood glucose levels with moderate exercise, when compared to higher intensity exercise.

Keep up the running!

 

[rwm1561]

Hi there,

Your liver is kicking out glucose as a stress response to your higher heart rate - you are obviously working quite hard when you run, which is great. What you may find however is if you want to bring your blood glucose levels down, just run a little slower, or combine your running with a bit of walking.

For more information around exercise and type 2 diabetes, take a look at
http://www.teambloodglucose.com/TeamBG/Kit_bag_Exercise.html, and find the explanation for what happens to blood glucose levels with moderate exercise, when compared to higher intensity exercise.

Keep up the running!

Cheers Bebo321 will have a look at Team BG over the weekend.

 

[Bebo321]

Yes! This took me a while to find out and am glad I know, I'm type 1 with a pump so think it's easier for me. I cycle and find before excising I need to up my sugar and reduce my insulin. During exercise your liver produces glucose and feeds your muscles. This sugar stays around after you stop exercising plus your muscles then 'dump' the excess glucose back into your blood stream for your body and pancreas to sort. After exercise I have to increase my pump to 200% and give a bolus to compensate. Go to run sweet website. That's helpful. I'm not sure how you tackle this as a type 2. Good luck.

Hi hazel,

Great you enjoy keeping fit! Have you thought of joining TeamBG for a ride this Sunday at Box Hill?

I just need to correct something that appears to factually incorrect in your advice - as far as I am aware, muscles don't 'dump' glucose back into the bloodstream at any point (please could you cite your information source for this statement if this is evidenced somewhere).
The liver does indeed release glucose into the bloodstream during intense exercise - when you finish exercising however the muscles are no longer burning through the energy stores as quickly, therefore blood glucose levels begin to rise. For anybody with diabetes, there is a faulty signalling mechanism within the liver which doesn't automatically 'switch off' this glucose release, so blood glucose levels can continue to rise for some time after finishing exercise. The muscles actually carry on taking up glucose, but at a reduced level as they begin to re-stock their glycogen stores.

runsweet is a great resource for info, you may also like to take a look at http://www.teambloodglucose.com/TeamBG/Type_1_Basics.html, and also watch through the type 1 case study, where it covers this topic.

Keep up the great work, and hope to get together for a ride sometime!

 

[Bebo321]

Yes this is a well known, if not well understood, phenomenon, I do 2 minutes of fierce exercise on my exercise bike (pushing up blood glucose if under 5.5) followed by 8 minutes of much milder exercise , this always lowers my bg, so need to be careful afterwards. I figure that the exercise is always beneficial and increases insulin sensitivity.

Great way to do it Graham3551!

When you exercise, GLUT4 transporters are mobilised in your muscles. These little gems are able to transport glucose into the muscles without the need for insulin. The GLUT4 receptors remain in greater numbers and are ready to transport glucose across the muscle cell membrane for some time after you finish exercise - possibly as long as 48hrs. Consequently you will feel the benefits of great insulin sensitivity for up to a couple of days after your bout of exercise. Exercise regularly and you're going to keep benefitting - build more muscle and the improvements will be even more noticeable!
Keep up the great work!