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What causes unexpected high BG levels?

Abbiedogs

Abbiedogs

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
When I had my first HBA1c check a month ago it came back as well within normal non diabetic range, and I was told I had managed to reverse things - my levels had been consistently low the three months since diagnosis, and remained so until today. The first pre breakfast reading was 4.6, which is normal. I didn't test again 2 hours later as I was busy working in the garden. I felt a bit light headed (I'm T2) so had a rich tea biscuit with a cup of tea (no sugar). Still not feeling too good fifteen minutes I tested at 6.1. After a bit more work in the garden I had lunch, the usual of the past few months, and when I tested a couple of hours later I tested at 9.7, which totally alarmed me, as the highest I've tested had been 7.1 after a meal. An hour later it was 6.1. I haven't eaten differently, was active, but haven't been feeling too well today, so what had caused this unexpected higher level?
 
Abbiedogs, As its a one-off, don't rule out that it might have been a faulty strip. I got one once that told me I was 1.2. I yelped, swallowed lots of Dextrosols, tested again within a minute and the next two strips said 7.1.

After which I had to get myself down again from the Dextrosols ...
 
Abbiedogs said:
When I had my first HBA1c check a month ago it came back as well within normal non diabetic range, and I was told I had managed to reverse things - my levels had been consistently low the three months since diagnosis, and remained so until today. The first pre breakfast reading was 4.6, which is normal. I didn't test again 2 hours later as I was busy working in the garden. I felt a bit light headed (I'm T2) so had a rich tea biscuit with a cup of tea (no sugar). Still not feeling too good fifteen minutes I tested at 6.1. After a bit more work in the garden I had lunch, the usual of the past few months, and when I tested a couple of hours later I tested at 9.7, which totally alarmed me, as the highest I've tested had been 7.1 after a meal. An hour later it was 6.1. I haven't eaten differently, was active, but haven't been feeling too well today, so what had caused this unexpected higher level?
Click to expand...

Hi,
What I have highlighted in red regarding your quote may have had something to do with driving up your BS levels...?
Fighting off viruses or infections can cause this.. Just a guess.??
 
I agree - it's probably due to you feeling a bit off - possibly combined with your gardening.

I've found that feeling poorly, migraines, infections, stress, hot weather, exercise, and the occasional "mucky finger" :eek: may cause higher than usual levels for me. If I can't see a good reason for one, I'll usually clean up the offending finger and re try..

Robbity
 
This morning's reading was 5.3, which is high for me and totally unexplained. It was the last strip till I buy another cartridge, so I can't test again till later. The readings have been bizarre since that first high one yesterday - could it be the meter? It's definitely not diet or lack of exercise. Or maybe an infection as suggested.
 
Abbiedogs said:
This morning's reading was 5.3, which is high for me and totally unexplained. It was the last strip till I buy another cartridge, so I can't test again till later. The readings have been bizarre since that first high one yesterday - could it be the meter? It's definitely not diet or lack of exercise. Or maybe an infection as suggested.
Click to expand...
It's impossible to say without a re-test. 5.3 is an excellent reading, btw.
 
5.3 is perfectly normal fasting so I wouldn't worry. It could be your "not feeling well" but also remember test strips have an accuracy tolerance. This is generally +-15% above a threshold (say 5.4) and below this it is a fixed amount and not a percentage tolerance.

That means your 9.7 could have been 8.1 with a tolerance of 20%. Do not get too hung up on a single reading (unless unexpectedly high or low in which case retest before acting) look for the trends in your data.
 
When testing 2 hours after a meal is that from commencement of meal? Yesterday our family Sunday lunch had a break between courses, so lunch went on for over an hour, I tested two hours after commencement. I know I shouldn't panic, but....
 
Abbiedogs said:
When testing 2 hours after a meal is that from commencement of meal? Yesterday our family Sunday lunch had a break between courses, so lunch went on for over an hour, I tested two hours after commencement. I know I shouldn't panic, but....
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Two hours after commencement is correct.
 
Abbiedogs said:
This morning's reading was 5.3, which is high for me and totally unexplained. It was the last strip till I buy another cartridge, so I can't test again till later. The readings have been bizarre since that first high one yesterday - could it be the meter? It's definitely not diet or lack of exercise. Or maybe an infection as suggested.
Click to expand...
Might be worth taking your temperature. I was recently in hospital for a week and baring in mind I had had peritonitis I was pleased that my temperature was only 37.6, and I wasn't feeling to bad, but medical team were concerned that it was a bit high. As a consequence of high temperature, my BG was all over the place.
 
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