• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Sugars rising 3 hours post meal??

M

Mads7

Member
Messages
10
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi there,

I'm new to the page and also new to monitoring my pre-diabetes. 5 months ago I was prescribed metformin for pre-diabetes and PCOS, I have since had a few hypos so my GP has asked me to stop taking the medication, keep a diary of my sugars for 2 weeks and head back to the endo. I've been doing so, my fasting sugars have been anywhere from 5.8-6.2 so far, my 2 hours post meal have been from 5.6-7.6. Last night I tested 2 hours post meal, and out of curiosity tested again 3 hours post and my sugars had risen 5.6-6.1. I tested again half an hour later and was up to 6.7, I'd eaten nothing in this time. My understanding is that 2 hours post meal is generally your baseline because food has digested by that point, why then are my sugars rising after this? I will ask the endo, but I'm hoping someone might be able to shed some light. Thanks :)
 
Mads7 said:
Hi there,

I'm new to the page and also new to monitoring my pre-diabetes. 5 months ago I was prescribed metformin for pre-diabetes and PCOS, I have since had a few hypos so my GP has asked me to stop taking the medication, keep a diary of my sugars for 2 weeks and head back to the endo. I've been doing so, my fasting sugars have been anywhere from 5.8-6.2 so far, my 2 hours post meal have been from 5.6-7.6. Last night I tested 2 hours post meal, and out of curiosity tested again 3 hours post and my sugars had risen 5.6-6.1. I tested again half an hour later and was up to 6.7, I'd eaten nothing in this time. My understanding is that 2 hours post meal is generally your baseline because food has digested by that point, why then are my sugars rising after this? I will ask the endo, but I'm hoping someone might be able to shed some light. Thanks :)
Click to expand...
I would also like to add, I have maintained a very healthy low carb diet over the last few years, am not overweight and exercise regularly so my decline with the pre-diabetes has come as quite a shock. I'm scared that regardless of my lifestyle, I am on a fast track to type 2 regardless
 
What had you eaten? Apparently some slow release foods will show later spikes.
You also need to consider that meters aren't 100% accurate, and "contaminated" fingers can also cause false readings. Your blood and therefore glucose content is circulating all the time too, so that could possibly be the reason for fluctuations. But I don't think you need to particularly worry over small increases.

Robbity
 
Another note: I have been pre-diabetic for 10 years now, which I have managed with diet and exercise up until 6 months ago when I gained weight unexpectedly, and my glucose test was higher, which is why the metformin was prescribed. I am well aware that pre-diabetes is not nearly as serious a condition as diabetes (I have a nephew type 1), but as my condition has gone down hill recently, I am concerned and as much as I am grateful to not be suffering with the serious complications of diabetes, I am worried about what is happening in my body, and it is quite concerning. I know sometimes on these forums people can read threads that may seem trivial when they're dealing with numbers in the 20-30's and I empathise so much with this, but with an obvious degeneration, it is concerning to me.
 
Mads7 said:
I know sometimes on these forums people can read threads that may seem trivial when they're dealing with numbers in the 20-30's and I empathise so much with this, but with an obvious degeneration, it is concerning to me.
Click to expand...

I think this is actually a rather insulting comment when we've just tried to reassure you.

Robbity
 
I actually posted that comment before I had read any of the thread, as it doesn't show up properly on my phone, so it was not intended to be insulting, more of a background, clarification and apology if it seemed trivial. After reading the above comments now, the slow release was not something I had considered, but will, so thank you for the advice. As far as the rest, my GP checked my tester against theirs at the clinic and numbers were the same, so she is happy that my tester is accurate, I wash my hands before each test also. I appreciate the reassurance, and apologise for offence caused, I will be sure to word things more carefully in future.
Robbity said:
I think this is actually a rather insulting comment when we've just tried to reassure you.

Robbity
Click to expand...
 
If you look around the forum, you will find many threads where people are questioning why meters can give different results, even from the same drop of blood, from different fingers, different meters, etc. The answer is that the meters can vary considerably, as can the strips. They are not precision medical grade instruments and the manufacturers are allowed a deviations/tolerance factor (I forget the exact percentage, but you can google it if you're so inclined). Perhaps to you a rise of 0.6 mmol (from 6.1 to 6.7 mmol) is significant, but it's actually not that big of a jump and well within meter tolerance. Sorry if you don't think we're sympathetic enough but the difference is minor and one meal is not much of a measurement of trends.
 
Indy51 said:
If you look around the forum, you will find many threads where people are questioning why meters can give different results, even from the same drop of blood, from different fingers, different meters, etc. The answer is that the meters can vary considerably, as can the strips. They are not precision medical grade instruments and the manufacturers are allowed a deviations/tolerance factor (I forget the exact percentage, but you can google it if you're so inclined). Perhaps to you a rise of 0.6 mmol (from 6.1 to 6.7 mmol) is significant, but it's actually not that big of a jump and well within meter tolerance. Sorry if you don't think we're sympathetic enough but the difference is minor and one meal is not much of a measurement of trends.
Click to expand...
When did I say you were not sympathetic? When at any point did I expect sympathy? my question was about digestion of sugars, and I followed up with an empathetic note that I apologise if it seems trivial. There is absolutely nothing I have said, that has critisised or insulted any comments, and yet both have been a defensive attack on me being insulting and now expecting sympathy. For an open forum to ask questions, these passive aggressive responses seem out of touch with the objective of a support group.
 
This could be the start of protein conversion. It raises BG a small amount and continues at a fixed rate. Until you have processed it. I normally find it kicks in around 5 hours + for me
 
Hi @Mads7 , The numbers you have given out so far are all pretty close to normal sugar levels.

You do say that you are not overweight & then explain that your weight increased unexpectedly and that is why you were put on the Metformin, I'm a little confused.

Also you haven't indicated what you have eaten before testing as this would have a bearing on your sugar levels whether you were Normal, Pre or Diabetic. Maybe you could tell us what food you had had when you tested.

Neil
 
daddys1 said:
Hi @Mads7 , The numbers you have given out so far are all pretty close to normal sugar levels.

You do say that you are not overweight & then explain that your weight increased unexpectedly and that is why you were put on the Metformin, I'm a little confused.

Also you haven't indicated what you have eaten before testing as this would have a bearing on your sugar levels whether you were Normal, Pre or Diabetic. Maybe you could tell us what food you had had when you tested.

Neil
Click to expand...
Hi Neil :) when I gained weight and wasn't able to shift it with further restrictions, my endo did a fasting glucose test which was up above normal levels so I was prescribed metformin to lower sugars try and shift the weight as I have PCOS also, which means excess weight causes further issues with hormones etc. that was 6 months ago, I have recently gone off the metformin on doctors orders as I had a few hypos and he asked me to monitor my sugars for 2 weeks and go from there. My diet is quite healthy, low carb, low GI, so my meals have been things like poached eggs and bacon, avocado on whole grain toast, tuna salad, meat and greens.
 
I find it difficult to believe the Metformin was causing the hypos. It doesn't work that way. As far as I am aware it is only injected insulin and drugs that promote natural insulin that can cause hypos. Metformin works on the liver rather than the pancreas. Have you had any since coming off the Metformin?
 
Bluetit1802 said:
I have just replied to you on the other thread about your sudden huge drop.
Have you considered Reactive Hypoglycaemia?
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/reactive-hypoglycaemia.71083/
Click to expand...
That's what my gp said also, that metformin wouldn't be causing them. It's weird because I have higher than 'normal' sugars as a baseline and then these hypos too. I haven't had to really think about the pre-diabetes for years, besides being conscious of what I eat or drink, I've never noticed any physical side effects of high or low sugars until recently and now it seems I'm getting the worst of both, weight gain from the highs and PCOS and hypoglycemia too. I will have a look at the link you posted, I haven't heard of reactive hypoglycemia before, again I haven't had to think much about it all, my main goal and motivation over the last 10 years has been more from vanity-staying slim and fit and minimising the side effects of PCOS, rather than my sugars so it's all quite new to me. My nephew has T1, so ask me anything about that I can answer, but pre-diabetes, type 2, reactive hypoglycemia, I'm a rookie
 
Very few people have heard of Reactive Hypoglycaemia, including doctors! Do have a read of that thread to see if it rings any bells with you. Meanwhile I'll tag @nosher8355 and @Brunneria as I have very little knowledge about this, but they do.

Your sudden drop from 7.8 to 3.6 is what alerted me.
 
Mads7 said:
That's what my gp said also, that metformin wouldn't be causing them. It's weird because I have higher than 'normal' sugars as a baseline and then these hypos too. I haven't had to really think about the pre-diabetes for years, besides being conscious of what I eat or drink, I've never noticed any physical side effects of high or low sugars until recently and now it seems I'm getting the worst of both, weight gain from the highs and PCOS and hypoglycemia too. I will have a look at the link you posted, I haven't heard of reactive hypoglycemia before, again I haven't had to think much about it all, my main goal and motivation over the last 10 years has been more from vanity-staying slim and fit and minimising the side effects of PCOS, rather than my sugars so it's all quite new to me. My nephew has T1, so ask me anything about that I can answer, but pre-diabetes, type 2, reactive hypoglycemia, I'm a rookie
Click to expand...

I'm not an expert on PCOS! That from what I've just barely read may give you a higher fasting blood glucose levels than normal. The weight gain is the overproduction of insulin that is a part of PCOS!
That is not to say that a form of hypoglycaemia could be what is happening. I can't dismiss that it is.
Only tests can do that.
How long was your oral glucose test? 2 hours or longer? Did you hypo?
Glucose tests are used to eliminate other forms of blood glucose problems.
If you are having lows, because of the PCOS, and Hypoglycaemia the solution is probably the same!
You don't need to change a lot of what you are already doing. Just a few adjustments.
I stay away from carbs and sugars as much as possible. That gives me total control of my blood glucose levels. Once in control, you will find, that the cause what triggers the high blood glucose levels then the lows are food.

Everybody digests food differently. I eat little and often. Every 2 to 3 hours, during the day. This gives me what I needed to do to be in control.
There are other tests to confirm your diagnosis and if you are in control, the one thing I can say from experience, is that you will be less likely to get full blown T2 diabetes. And weight loss won't be a problem!
Post on the reactive hypoglycaemia thread if you have any more questions!
 
Back
Top