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When to Test?

Janiept

Janiept

Expert
Messages
5,311
Hello Everybody,

I have not been diagnosed (yet?) but have been having problems with my vision and each expert I have seen has asked whether I am diabetic.
I decided it might be wise to start monitoring by blood levels but am slightly confused about timing and results so would be grateful for any information.
I started out testing fasting which seemed ok - between 4.5 and 4.8 then testing after meals. Initially i was testing 1/2 hour after eating and the results were between 6.9 & 8.8 then tonight had an all time high of 10.2.
A friend said that I was testing too early after meals and I should wait for 2 hours. The 10.2 had dropped to 6.5.
Can anybody tell me whether the earlier readings are relevant or should I ignore and concentrate on the 2 hourly readings.

Thanks in advance .
 
It would probably be best to get an HbA1c test done to get an average of your readings over the past 3 months.

According to this:

http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/16422495.php

the blood glucose of a truly normal person should be less than 6.6 one or two hours after a meal.

I think you will find lots of information in that link.

From my understanding, no truly normal person would get blood glucose levels above 7.8 no matter what they eat, so I think you are wise to be proactive about this.
 
Hi. I would only test 2 hours after a main meal. I would ignore your earlier measurements. During the 2 hour period your sugars will peak and a 'normal' person should return to the pre-meal level after 2 hours'ish. Bear in mind that as you get older you may move towards being pre-diabetic i.e. your sugar control will deteriorate so 'normal' does vary.
 
Many thanks for the replies.

I have to confess I am still a little confused though. I spoke to my pharmacist today who said that it doesn't matter whether you test 1/2 hour or 2 hours after eating as long as you test at the same interval each time but which reading would my doctor use to determine whether or not I am diabetic. The two hourly test is 'normal', but the half hour one is higher than what I am reading is acceptable.

As I said in first post, fasting test is between 4.5 and 4.8.

Feeling like a complete moron but there seems to be varying information out there and I don't want to see G.P. unless absolutely necessary and get dragged into the system.

Thanks again.
 
The standard time recommended normally seems to be 2 hours after eating the first mouthful. I could be wrong though as everyone seems to have their own methods :)

I personally test at 1 hour because I established early on that 1 hour is my peak reading after eating.
 
Janiept said:
Many thanks for the replies.

I have to confess I am still a little confused though. I spoke to my pharmacist today who said that it doesn't matter whether you test 1/2 hour or 2 hours after eating as long as you test at the same interval each time.
Click to expand...

would that be the same pharmacist who told my husband that people with T2 don't have to worry about eating sugar? :roll: :roll:

imho there is no point in testing 1/2 hr after meals - even non diabetics can have a high spike at 30 mins after a carby meal - but it will drop quickly - in an uncontrolled diabetic numbers tend to stay high- this is what the nice guidelines say

"Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes

Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)

Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)

Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets".



those who are diagnosed may test at 1hr to catch any high spikes- I only do this if I am having a new meal

if you think you may be diabetic you really do need to see your GP - nobody here can tell you whether you are diabetic or not and as you say there is so much conflicting info out there you need the proper tests - and if you are diabetic it isn't just keeping your BS below a certain level - you also need regualr checks on your eyes and feet - your cholestrol and your BP and your liver and kidneys and thyroid.
 
Thanks so much for the sound advice guys.

I know it would be wise to see G.P. but.....

I have this strange allergy to them, especially when I know that they get paid extra for every patient that they treat for diabetes, high blood pressure etc etc. even if it's just an annual blood check.

However, because of the eye problems I have been having I think I may have to just get over it

Great forum and great members. Thank You All
 
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