What is Normal Fasting level?

[lucylocket61]

I was at the nurse today. She has permitted me a meter and 1 test strip a day. I am to test my bs every morning to see what it is and if it is normal.

But I forgot to ask what the normal range is

I thought it might be the pre-meal range of 4-7 but am not sure, as often my morning one is higher than that.

Any pointers to the info please people?

 

[MaryJ]

from memory I think it is <7 but I just don't bother with that one.

Can you get yourself some strips and do the testing after food instead, which will bring the fasting ones down anyway, and by default your HBA1c?

Mary x

 

[hanadr]

Lucy
look at the leaflet with your test strips. The one in the "One touch Ultra" pack says"expected blood glucose levels for people without diabetes; Fasting~less than 5.6mmol/l."
For me that's the only sensible target. In fact my personal specific target is "below 5mmol/l" I meet it pretty much all the time.
In a sense, your target is what you want it to be[and agree it with your care team if you want to]
I don't think it's sensible to set a target which is above that of non-diabetics. this is because I believe it's the excess blood glucose circulating, which is responsible for the damage to the body and the way to prevent that damage is to keep the blood glucose level LOW.
Hana

 

[xyzzy]

Well I've always thought it was the same as you as in http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html

I like to try keep mine at the low end of that as it gives you more scope in what you can eat in my mind and nowadays I can sense when I go above around 6.5 or 7. I call it the "blobby" feeling.

Your morning one is still likely driven by DP. I got told early on by various members that patience was the key and that has proven to be correct. I do find that my morning reading is influenced by the level I go to bed at.

I think your nurse is talking ok as I have found that the morning fasting test is a good indicator of the trend your levels are following. Others may disagree including a certain sheep. Alternatively I would suggest a two hour after main meal reading but that will obviously vary with what you eat so you'll really only end up testing for safety rather than measuring a trend imo.

 

[lucylocket61]

Thanks

I have my own meter to do my secret testing after meals and stuff.

But i have her meter and 1 strip a day to do my fasting blood test and write down the figure every morning to show her in 4 weeks.

I feel like Jemima Bond :lol:

 

[Defren]

Thanks

I have my own meter to do my secret testing after meals and stuff.

But i have her meter and 1 strip a day to do my fasting blood test and write down the figure every morning to show her in 4 weeks.

I feel like Jemima Bond :lol:

There is not a hope in hell I will hide my testing from anyone. I bought the meter, I buy the strips I shall test as I like. I will also print off all my graphs and show them to my HCP. They may not like what I do, infact they can turn green and explode for all I care. But hide the fact I test - never! Why do that?

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks

I have my own meter to do my secret testing after meals and stuff.

But i have her meter and 1 strip a day to do my fasting blood test and write down the figure every morning to show her in 4 weeks.

I feel like Jemima Bond :lol:

This is going against your Dr`s wishes. You said she said you were to test frequently to ease your anxieties about your diabetes. You should go back to the doctor and tell them. They sign the scripts in my surgery not the nurses. Also, why hide the fact you test? It is your business and your body.

 

[Defren]

Thanks

I have my own meter to do my secret testing after meals and stuff.

But i have her meter and 1 strip a day to do my fasting blood test and write down the figure every morning to show her in 4 weeks.

I feel like Jemima Bond :lol:

This is going against your Dr`s wishes. You said she said you were to test frequently to ease your anxieties about your diabetes. You should go back to the doctor and tell them. They sign the scripts in my surgery not the nurses. Also, why hide the fact you test? It is your business and your body.

Hmmmm!

 

[didie]

You should never need to hide the fact that you're testing. The diabetes is yours, not the diabetic nurse's. If I were you I would go and talk to the doctor. My doctor agreed that I should test every day because it gives me peace of mind to know what my levels are instead of second-guessing myself.

I do a fasting test in the morning, one 2-hours post-breakfast and one 2-hours after my evening meal so I have some idea what level I am going to bed on.

 

[lucylocket61]

You are right - I had forgotten that :shock:

I am seeing my doctor in 2 weeks so I will raise the point again. Thanks. There is so much to remember, I forgot that bit.