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

Unsure

P

pip

Active Member
Messages
25
Hi all,
I have a strong family history of type 2 Diabetes (mother, grandmother, aunt) all developing it in their 30's. I have been feeling really tired for the past year and have started to check my BG levels regularly myself. My fasting levels are good (4.7 - 5.5) and for the most part levels sit between 5.5 and 8. However I am seeing random spikes over the 11 mark (especially when stressed). I do not have a good relationship with my GP but I have made an appointment to go see them wednesday.
My question to you all is should I be concerned by occasional spikes (once I was 29.9) or can this be normal for a non diabetic ?
I do not expect my doctor to take much notice as for the most part my BG is within normal limits 4-7 and fasting fine, but my grandmother only lived to her 50's and died due to heart trouble (she had high BP and cholesterol) and my mother is having similar problems now (53). I just wanted to know if what I am experiencing is normal, Thanks for taking time to read this, Pip
 
Hi Pip and welcome to the forum.

You have made the right decision in making an appointment with your doctor. With the levels that you have mentioned it is very likely that you don't have diabetes, but you can also ask your doctor to check your blood pressure and to take some blood samples to test your lipids (cholesterol) in view of your family history.
 
So it can be normal to see random spikes ? :D
I have read about people being diagnosed with levels over 11, that is why I was concerned, thought it might be a Pre Diabetic issue :? But I understand my levels in general are not too bad :)
Thanks for your reply :)
 
Hi Pip,

Although non-diabetics don't normally have spikes as high as 11, an occasional one is perfectly possible following a very high carbohydrate meal. People are generally diagnosed after a fasting test, and a fasting test of 11 would certainly indicate diabetes.
 
Just for once <G> I'm going to disagree with Dennis.

Technically you need at least two readings over 11.1 for a diabetes diagnosis, but IMO anyone showing these sort of numbers is well away from "normal" and at the stage where even if you don't actually get diagnosed you can still do a lot to avoid the diagnosis by behaving as if you were already diabetic.

In view of the familial incidence of "metabolic syndrome" it makes sense to start to control your BG ASAP

http://www.bloodsugar101.com/

has some information on why the diagnostic criteria are set so high, and what you can do about it
 
Thankyou for your opinion :D
Stupid surgery cancelled my appointment today so I am still non the wiser. Going to change GP and take it from there. To be honest I used to be a complete chocoholic but in the past year I seem to have lost my appetite for treats. My downfall is sweet drinks, I love tea with sugar, canned juice and fresh fruit juices. I have been trying to cut these back anyway and I will continue to do so. I have read a lot and will continue to moniter myself. A sensible diet is best all round anyway :D
Thanks for the opinions, will let you know what happens in the future :D
 
pip said:
Thankyou for your opinion :D
Stupid surgery cancelled my appointment today so I am still non the wiser. Going to change GP and take it from there. To be honest I used to be a complete chocoholic but in the past year I seem to have lost my appetite for treats. My downfall is sweet drinks, I love tea with sugar, canned juice and fresh fruit juices. I have been trying to cut these back anyway and I will continue to do so. I have read a lot and will continue to moniter myself. A sensible diet is best all round anyway :D
Thanks for the opinions, will let you know what happens in the future :D
Click to expand...

Whatever your dietician says, ditch those fruit juices! They were also one of my major downfalls. Other than that I wasn't particularly a sweetaholic, my problem was with all those savoury carbs.

Many of us can do berries where other fruit produce unacceptable numbers. 85% chocolate doesn't have many carbs. Splenda aspartame and saccharin are about equally liked and disliked by different individuals. Watch out for sugar alcohols though, some people turn them into glucose just like sugar, some people turn them into loose bowels. You'll probably be told to eat loads of starch but that is seriously ungood advice.
 
HI, if your readings go over 13 then you have type II this is what the specialists go by, a couple of readings over 13 mean you are diabetic. Hope this helps :)
 
Back
Top