Type 2 day to day coping strategies to reduce sugars not working

woollygal · Jul 10, 2023

Hi all
I have been type 2 for almost 5 years. Back in aug last year I started exercising consistently and hba1c dropped to 44 in feb this year. Back up to 57 but had covid in may and had to stop exercising.

Since Saturday my sugars are just running high.
On sat I did 32 mins exercise (body attack and combat which are fairly high intensity) and a 3 mile walk. Because I’d done so much exercise thought I was safeish so bad sausage bap and cake. Sugars went to 13.
Even with trulicity injection on sat night sugars were still 9 on Sunday.
This morning sugars were 10.3 and all day I’ve been completely wiped out and exhausted.
Came home, did workout thinking would make me feel better which it did but sugars been running high since. Only just dropping to the 9s from 10 after dinner (salad)
When I workout sugars usually rise for short time then drop so have been able to expand food choices somewhat.
But the exercise is failing. Since sat it just doesn’t seem to bring my sugars down!
It’s really starting to stress me out.

coby · Jul 10, 2023

woollygal said:
Hi all
I have been type 2 for almost 5 years. Back in aug last year I started exercising consistently and hba1c dropped to 44 in feb this year. Back up to 57 but had covid in may and had to stop exercising.

Since Saturday my sugars are just running high.
On sat I did 32 mins exercise (body attack and combat which are fairly high intensity) and a 3 mile walk. Because I’d done so much exercise thought I was safeish so bad sausage bap and cake. Sugars went to 13.
Even with trulicity injection on sat night sugars were still 9 on Sunday.
This morning sugars were 10.3 and all day I’ve been completely wiped out and exhausted.
Came home, did workout thinking would make me feel better which it did but sugars been running high since. Only just dropping to the 9s from 10 after dinner (salad)
When I workout sugars usually rise for short time then drop so have been able to expand food choices somewhat.
But the exercise is failing. Since sat it just doesn’t seem to bring my sugars down!
It’s really starting to stress me out.

Hi @woollygal When you say 'expand food choices' what foods are you having?

MrsA2 · Jul 10, 2023

You could have an infection or illness brewing, or it could just be that your body's intolerance to carbs has increased and exercise and medication are not enough and you need to go much lower carb.

I'd also suggest testing for ketones and see if they are high, just in case you've been misdiagnosed or t1 has developed

Oldvatr · Jul 10, 2023

Have you changed your exercise routines? Intensive training and HIIt are culprits that raise blood sugar due to adrenaline dominating and stopping insulin from working. Also your 3 mile walk could be endurance training if more than just a mild amble. Again endurance sports will raise bgl levels due to using lipid fat stores to cover for the glucose which is only a short term energy source. Athletes get 'second wind' where their body switches from glucose to lipids as the prime fuel source.

Get some wee stix from a pharmacy. these can test for ketones and also for infections if you get the 10 test in one variety that most GP surgeries use. As has been said, the sudden high bgl levels may be an indication of pancreas problem. Are you on any meds that might cause pancreatitis as a side effect?

Edit to add: I just noted you are on Trulicity, and that can cause DKA and also pancreatitis, so it could be the med. Is that a recent change??

woollygal · Jul 11, 2023

coby said:
Hi @woollygal When you say 'expand food choices' what foods are you having?

It’s not the good. Last week it was fine. I’ve removed it this week and sugars still higher than normal

woollygal · Jul 11, 2023

Oldvatr said:
Have you changed your exercise routines? Intensive training and HIIt are culprits that raise blood sugar due to adrenaline dominating and stopping insulin from working. Also your 3 mile walk could be endurance training if more than just a mild amble. Again endurance sports will raise bgl levels due to using lipid fat stores to cover for the glucose which is only a short term energy source. Athletes get 'second wind' where their body switches from glucose to lipids as the prime fuel source.

Get some wee stix from a pharmacy. these can test for ketones and also for infections if you get the 10 test in one variety that most GP surgeries use. As has been said, the sudden high bgl levels may be an indication of pancreas problem. Are you on any meds that might cause pancreatitis as a side effect?

Edit to add: I just noted you are on Trulicity, and that can cause DKA and also pancreatitis, so it could be the med. Is that a recent change??

Not really changed exercise. I’m doing more again then I was due to having covid but it’s about what I was doing prior to may!
For some reason it just isn’t lowering sugars like it was!
My sugars rise during and straight after but usually drop quite quickly particularly after first hour.

JAT1 · Jul 11, 2023

Do you measure your blood glucose just before eating and then again 2 hours after the first bite? You mention eating cake - that will skyrocket blood glucose. If I were you I would accurately record the carbs eaten and glucose readings taken in order to learn how foods are affecting me. I would reduce the amount of carbs until my blood sugar stayed in an acceptable range.

ianf0ster · Jul 11, 2023

Hi @woollygal I hope you don't think that you can exercise away the glucose effect of the food you eat - especially a Bap and some cake.
As @Oldvatr points out, high Intensity exercise or exercise for a prolonged period will almost always drive your Blood Glucose up (not down). This is because while/just after doing that your Blood Glucose will start dropping due to the energy being used and so you liver will say 'you need some more energy - so here, have some glucose'!

The best form of exercise for reducing Blood Glucose only makes a small difference over time and that is exercise which builds muscle, because muscle can store glucose.
It's the same old story, that you can't out-run a poor diet!

Type 2 day to day coping strategies to reduce sugars not working

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