Hi everyone. I was diagnosed type 2 a year ago and am doing well. I'm on glucophage, have lost 50 pounds and am in tight control. Since being diagnosed I've had alcohol just a few times (including 3 rum and diet cokes last night). I expected the alcohol to raise my blood sugar but it's always low after I drink. Is this normal? I usually don't eat when I'm drinking so I realize that could be affecting my levels, but I still expected that alcohol would give me a rise.

It's normal. Here's a like to the ADA website that explains why:

http://www.diabetes.org/main/health/nutrition/alcohol/alcohol.jsp

I was diagnosed in June 2002 and was surprised to here about the response on BS levels and alcohol. Yes, it does lower the level. I've discussed alcohol with my doc because I do like to have an occaisional drink. His response was that it would be no problem but that I should have food at the same time. Hope this helps!

I heard from a health professional who is also diabetic that it's dangerous to have more than one 8oz drink of beer. Alcohol at first lowers your levels and then raises them. You know that alcohol turns to suger right? Hence the theory that a child of an alcoholic will be prone to alcoholism or sweets. Also fluctuating levels confuse your body and can make steady levels harder to achieve at a later time down the road.