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Small amounts of alcohol & BGL

G

gavin86

Well-Known Member
Messages
194
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Do small amounts of alcohol effect your BGL?

I'm new to diabetes, so forgive me...
but I had 2.5 drinks (standard shots of 0 extra carb standard strength unflavoured vodka) to test if it had any impact. It didn't. My BGL had been stable in the previous hour, at the time of drinking, and half an hour after drinking, and an hour after drinking.
Is it a delayed effect?
Or does limited drinking not strain the liver enough?

Anyone else got personal experience, or scientific info, for me on this?

Thanks.
 
Drink does affect my levels although I am unused to small amounts so I can't answer that bit.
What happens with me is that the base line of the graph moves up a couple of points so any spikes are bodily moved upwards on top of that base line.
When I stop drinking the base line lowers slowly over a period of a few days.
 
Hi Gavin, drink does affect BGL but it's different for most people. However there is a general consensus and pattern I've noticed. Drinking high sugary alcoholic drinks such as cider, wine, alcopops will spike your sugars. Over time you might learn to give yourself some insulin to counteract this however only once you see a trend. In terms of spirits (vodka, whiskey, rum etc) this is where you need to be careful and should never take insulin. In small amounts you might not notice a huge difference but if taken a few drinks know that vodka on its own with no sugary mixer will bring your BGL up high and then hours later will drop them and continue to drop them. So if you're ever drinking spirits, the consensus us to eat something afterwards no matter what number you are and especially if you are going straight to sleep. Keep an eye out for trends yourself but you do not want to get a bad hypo in your sleep, whatever about a slightly high number.
 
Yes, am aware of the effects of heavier drinking.. just wondered about lighter amounts.
Personally, in this one occasion, I didn't notice a change.

will have to do some more testing I guess.
 
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