I need to know if I should eat, as my blood sugars this am are 209, and before bed they were 215, and yesterday afternoon they were 193 all of these were more than two hours after eating. I checked my meter with control sulotion, and it was within the right range, and I wash my hands at every read. This is the first time since I started taking meds and stuff that it has stayed this high, and I am worried that if I eat it will get even higher. I haven't eatin anything that I shouldn't and have no clue as to why they are so out of wack. My doctors office isn't open yet, and I haven't had this problem before. PLEASE HELP!

Dont Sweat it...THose numbers are not "So Out Of Whack" they are a bit high but nothing to be overly concerned about. Stress and Sickness can really throw numbers off. if you wan to get the numbers down then just try not eating as many Carbs or go and exercise abit.

I'm just worried as I haven't had one single reading in these ranges since the first day I started meds, and then I had only had one in the 200 range. I was told that I should never be over 200(but not by doc, by diabetic manager) I can't understand this at all. I ate the same food yesterday as I did two days ago(one of my fav's)and the levels were way higher today, and I did do more exercise yesterday than I usually do. Can stress really affect the BS that much?

Yes, stress can definitely affect the blood sugar levels quite a bit.

As for those levels, they are not all that high (in the short term). You might want to buy a bottle of Ketostix and test for ketones. As long as you're not producing ketones (and being a T2, it's likely that you won't have ketones), high levels are not cause for immediate concern. I say immediate because, of course you don't want to run high for weeks, but for people who produce ketones, even a few hours of high levels can lead to disaster in the form of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), although even that doesn't usually occur until the levels get much higher (in the 400's?).

Keep tracking your levels and report them to your doctor. You may need more medication. For now, try to eat more protein, less carbs (for bulk, most vegetables are very low in carbs), and extra exercise...even a 5-minute stroll a few times a day...will help bring the numbers down.

By the way, just to put things in perspective....One time when I was being treated with Decadron, my blood sugar levels went over 1,000 (yes, that's right...one thousand!) and I was absolutely fine because, lucky for me, I don't produce ketones. They came down within a few days.

Ruth

Yes, stress can definitely affect the blood sugar levels quite a bit.

As for those levels, they are not all that high (in the short term). You might want to buy a bottle of Ketostix and test for ketones. As long as you're not producing ketones (and being a T2, it's likely that you won't have ketones), high levels are not cause for immediate concern. I say immediate because, of course you don't want to run high for weeks, but for people who produce ketones, even a few hours of high levels can lead to disaster in the form of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), although even that doesn't usually occur until the levels get much higher (in the 400's?).

Keep tracking your levels and report them to your doctor. You may need more medication. For now, try to eat more protein, less carbs (for bulk, most vegetables are very low in carbs), and extra exercise...even a 5-minute stroll a few times a day...will help bring the numbers down.

By the way, just to put things in perspective....One time when I was being treated with Decadron, my blood sugar levels went over 1,000 (yes, that's right...one thousand!) and I was absolutely fine because, lucky for me, I don't produce ketones. They came down within a few days.

Ruth

Hi,
I think that you should be very concerned with these numbers. It would indicate to me that whatever you are eating is not right for you. Start looking at the carbs. Carbs are sugar...bread,potatoes, rice, fruits (including large amounts of tomatoes), pasta. Other things like powdered forms of sweetners (they inlclude sugar as a bulking agent). My readings never go over 110 after meals. I wake with a 82-87. I go to bed with 85-89.

Hi,
I think that you should be very concerned with these numbers. It would indicate to me that whatever you are eating is not right for you. Start looking at the carbs. Carbs are sugar...bread,potatoes, rice, fruits (including large amounts of tomatoes), pasta. Other things like powdered forms of sweetners (they inlclude sugar as a bulking agent). My readings never go over 110 after meals. I wake with a 82-87. I go to bed with 85-89.



I agree with you Lowcarber, I would also be concerned with numbers in the 200's. I read that if you glucose stays high for a long time it can damage your kidneys. I would look at the diet and try to figure out what is wrong. If it is is stress, then i would practice some stress relief techique. Walking always helps me to lower my glucose. :)

Your bs levels should concern you, but not to the point of panic. You must use logic at times like these. I don't know what medications you are taking, but it is possible they need adjusting. You may be getting a gum infection or coming down with an illness that hasn't shown up in symptoms yet. Stress may be causing a bs increase, although I have "the boss from hell" and even during my most stressful days I seem to do okay. Your body may be telling you your diet and exercise routine isn't working for you any longer and needs fine-tuning. To be more specific, you may require a change in exercise habits, and to lower your carb intake. When I'm out of control, I will restrict carb intake significantly (Atkins and Bernstein significantly) until I get back to acceptable numbers. Then I will return to more moderate eating (glycemic index method) I get upset with myself any time my fasting readings are above 120 or my post meal readings get above 140. So, I can certainly understand how you feel at 200+. You'd be surprised what a few low carb meals and/or an hour on a tread mill will do for your readings. Good luck. Hope you settle back to normal readings soon.

Hi Lookin....I can tell you what your problem is first hand. I have dealt with Diabetes issues for more than a few years now and have it down to a science. My MIL is completely off meds now due to trial and error and finally success.
So heres the first thing you did wrong.
Never take your blood test after a meal you will always get a high reading even 2 hours after a meal. Stress and diabetes #'s go hand in hand. High stress... high numbers. Take your test in the am before breakfast to get an accurate reading.
Im sorry to disagree with all of the responders here but 200 and over is too high and not good for the body.
Do you drink alchohol? Thats a no no it interacts with meds taken.
120 to 150 is great my MIL averages 100-130 everyday any lower is not good (that starts sweats shaking ect)
Another thing I have found red meat highers numbers also artificial sweeteners.
Fresh fruits are a good thing to snack on during the day Yes I know there are ney sayers out there that say wait some contain alot of sugars...yes but they are in natural form and dont do a number on sugar levels.
And sweetie skipping eating...dont do that you have to maintain fuel for the body at all times because what happens when you stop is the sugars build up cravings go up your hungry beyond reason and your only burning fumes not the bad sugars. they go into hide mode. (sorta speak) Eat smaller meals more frequently. Rule of thumb in this house...anything bigger than your fist is too much. Instead of eating 3 square eat 5-6 times (remember the fruits and veggies) And another rule of thumb try not to eat past 5-6 pm.
Take all white product out of your diet Breads (anything started with flour and that also goes for wheat bread) No startch whatsoever. These things immediatly turn to sugar. Sweetie I could give you so much more info but I would hate to hog so if you want anymore info just ask. :)

Ummm...85 is normal and as a diabetic that is obtainable. Fruit=sugar. That is simple. I can eat some berries but not other fruit. As for testing...you should test after eating otherwise how will you ever know HOW those foods you are eating affect you??? Test in the a.m. before eating, after you eat and before going to bed. These tests over time will tell you what you can eat without spiking. Knowledge is power. If you don't test you remain ignorant of what is going on. For example, I know I cannot eat bread, popcorn (corn), most fruits, etc, etc. all because my meter tells me so. 150-190 is unaceptable to me. I have a mantra, "I love my toes, I love my eyes". In other words those are much more important than certain foods I cannot eat.
My a1c is 5.1 and no meds. I have lost 60 pounds with no big effort and my average blood sugar is running 91 ! Shakes and sweats start when people go lower because their bodies are used to higher sugar levels, when you come down to normal in a couple of weeks any reactions that may occur stop. Check out Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. Great book by a Doc who is a type 1 diabetic since the 70's ...he has created a way of eating that has normalized his blood sugars and is sharing this with others.

Hi Lowcarber & welcome to the forum :wave:

My readings never go over 110 after meals. I wake with a 82-87. I go to bed with 85-89.

I'm curious - how long did it take to see these numbers? I think it's great your can have these readings but it's rare for some diabetics to ever reach those numbers.

Ummm...85 is normal and as a diabetic that is obtainable

My a1c is 5.3 and my blood sugar levels are within "non diabetic" levels

My a1c is 5.1 and no meds. I have lost 60 pounds with no big effort and my average blood sugar is running 91 ! Shakes and sweats start when people go lower because their bodies are used to higher sugar levels, when you come down to normal in a couple of weeks any reactions that may occur stop

85 is normal. Normal for people that are NOT diabetic. As far as I know there is no cure for diabetes - only control of it. Now that you are within 'non diabetic' levels - do you and your doctor consider yourself cured?

Check out Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. Great book by a Doc who is a type 1 diabetic since the 70's ...he has created a way of eating that has normalized his blood sugars and is sharing this with others.

I read just about every book on Diabetes & Low Carb including studies in the JAMA and although I think Dr Bernstein is a brilliant professional - I don't agree with his theory because a lot of it is not realistic for most diabetics. But it's great if he was a postive guidance for you to have such great readings. ;)

I do agree readings of 193,215,209 are a cause for concern but readings of 85 are a bit low for some of us to think that is where we 'need' to be.

PollyAnn

Yea see lowcarber while I agree with a few things you have said (Im not carb schooled so bare with me loves) I dont pay much attention to diet trends at all what I say is this "take all processed white out of your diet" Natural foods are ok to eat especially fruits and vegetables If your body is reacting different that is you and you alone (there might be others out there like that) but the majority of diabetics if they are following strict diets can eat all fruits. thats the simple truth.
Sugars in fruits and vegetables are in natural form they are not processed like sugar and sweeteners. They dont affect levels like plain processed sugars/starches and even white rice.
And Im sorry 85 is borderline low and any good doctor will tell you this.
My husband will also testify that shakes and sweats doesnt come from a body not being used to lower levels its the fact that the level is 85 and below. He has also informed me (ok I just dont get it) some people actually get off on that feeling although I cant understand why... I suffer from low sugar levels at times and that is not the nicest feeling in the world.
He is on insulin and trust me we have to be very careful with his foods 85 and below you better pop a glucose tab.
And hun if your numbers are that low my thought would be that you were maybe a little overweight (please dont take offense) and have lost the extra fat yes? You might want to revisit your doctor and cut the dosage in half or you just might be lucky enough to stop all together like my MIL. Just a thought. What I am tryin to say baby is that not everybody is like you and unless and until you really truly understand diabetes you should never tell someone that numbers like 85 are satisfactory. You could really harm someone. Extremes with a body in crisis is something that should never be practiced as a rule and just because someone wrote a book doesnt mean they really are experts it just means at the moment it worked for him if he really had it. Anybody with 10 thousand dollars can write a book ;)

.... My a1c is 5.1 and no meds. I have lost 60 pounds with no big effort and my average blood sugar is running 91 ! .....
lowcarber,

Congratulations on the fantastic progress! Keep up the good work. It is always good to hear that applying the common sense logic of eliminating blood glucose boosting food has enabled someone to achieve near-normal blood glucose levels.

Cheers,

Mark :jester:

Bernstein's book is awesome. You will have low readings between 85-105 when you follow it. I have difficulty following it because of its heavy restrictions, but I totally agree his method works!!!

Yup, he is brilliant. An MD. who has a practice in New York state dedicated to diabetes patients.

I am a type2 have lost 60 pounds since November and have about 25 more to go. I am 5'9" tall and weigh 171 right now. I am overweight but no longer obese. Since I am type 2, I still make insulin and don't have to worry about going hypo, unless I burn out my beta cells somewhere down the road. So, no I would NEVER use glucose tablets. 85 is normal for non-diabetics and I want to be as close to non-diabetic as I can. And why not? This will keep diabetic complications at bay. My doctor is thrilled and as she says she can no longer really call me diabetic...at least by the numbers. However, as we all know, I am diabetic and cannot eat like a non-diabetic. I can prove that by just eating a sandwhich.

I know that Dr. Bernsteins WOE (way of eating) seems restrictive, but I much prefer my toes and eyes to any starch, sugar, or carb I can put in my mouth. Plus with the forum I visit on line every day I have plenty of low carb receipes. This morning I ate pancakes and bacon. Pancakes made with flaxseed meal, cream cheese, eggs, and sugar free sweetner. Sugar free bacon ...yummm.

My advice is to eat to your meter and read Dr. Bernsteins book. I cannot speak for type 1 diabetics as far as hypos but the ones on the forum I visit very rarely experience hypos and they don't consider 85 a hypo. They are very controlled diabetics and that is what I am striving for too.

I need to know if I should eat, as my blood sugars this am are 209, and before bed they were 215, and yesterday afternoon they were 193 all of these were more than two hours after eating. I checked my meter with control sulotion, and it was within the right range, and I wash my hands at every read. This is the first time since I started taking meds and stuff that it has stayed this high, and I am worried that if I eat it will get even higher. I haven't eatin anything that I shouldn't and have no clue as to why they are so out of wack. My doctors office isn't open yet, and I haven't had this problem before. PLEASE HELP!

lookin4aclue, I know this post is a few days old and was wondering how you are doing now?

I take NO diabetic meds and have kept my sugar in order with diet and exercise but now I'm dealing with women issues (having a Hysterectomy). I haven't changed my eating habits and since my issues are worseing (and so has my stress of all of it) my sugar levels have been higher then "my" normal levels.

Hormonal and/or stress will raise sugar levels. I have increased my exercise and keep a very close eye on what I eat which has stopped my levels from going higher then they would of without the 'extra' effort. I have done so great without meds. that I once I'm over this I know I can once again work my way back to my normal levels. My 'normal' levels may not be normal for a few other on this forum but they are levels "I" am comfortable and safe at.

lookin4aclue, I hope you are doing better and always remember we are all different - even as diabetics - we may all give you advise on what works for us but keep in mind - it many not be what works also for you.

I want to thank you all for your advise and knowleadge. I am back down to somewhat normal levels. My doctor has me shotting for 140, but said that she would perfer me to be 100 or below. I think we had figured out what on earth was happening. I have been on prednisone since December(which I know can cause Blood Sugars to rise), and I have been tappering down since then, anyway, my insurance messed up something and I had to go with out this for over 4 days. I hadn't seen any rise in my BS two days after I started taking it again and then BOOM! Then those high reading. So I am atributing it to that as I haven't seen these numbers again, since that day. I am now back down to the 130 or so mark, and will be seeing my doc this week, thinking she may up my Metformin again, as we are still trying to get me on the proper meds. Since I have only been recently DXed with this.
As to the diet that someone mentioned about them eating pancakes and bacon, this diet will not work for me as I am on a low fat diet as well(very high cholesterol). So I am sticking to what my doctor and I think should work, the low carb, low fat diet, plus exercise! I have lost weight, and have pretty much had to cut out alot of things(because my BS spikes)like fruit. Almost all fruit does this to me. Bananas, grapes, canalope, oranges, so I have just about said forget the fruit(I can't stand apples). I have a 14 1/2 carb count for everyday, but by all means can't eat that because it's still to much(as BS has told me so)so I have cut it down to more like 8 or 9(this is for all three meals and a snack). I know I shouldn't skip meal, and I am trying not too, but I have never eatin three meals a day, plus snacks, so this is one rule I am having to work myself into.
I didn't know that tomatoes were bad for us.....Not even the dietician told me that.
What is this Ketostix? Is it something I really should have on hand?
I have been under alot of stress, kids ya know they will do that for ya?LOL My DD was saying she was going to run away that day!!!I was ready to pull my hair out. So between the stress and the medication, I think I have found the cause. Thanks all and I have found that alot or your posts have helped to inform me.

Lowcarb Im glad you recognize all this and now I know why the fruits are spiking you BGL's My husband was also on Metformin/ lowfat diet but couple that together with everything else you are doing I now see why. medications can do a number on BGL's and also stress like right now mil has higher numbers because of surgery and recovery and also Dementia...tests are now in the 200's so they are giving me a month to see if there is something I can come up with to lower them, if not she will have to start taking meds again.
After thought LC Has your doc told you about omega/fish oils for cholesterol? His eye doctor told him about fish oil and some of his problems have cleared up ...literally. His contact lenses no longer get the calcium film on them since taking them and as a caregiver to my MIL there is alot of importance in cholesterol levels and brain health. Just a thought....

AFH I hope all goes well with all that you are going through this cant be easy for you with all that stress! keep us updated on your progress will ya?:)

Hey lookin4aclue,

I'm glad you found what was making your sugar so high. It’s a lesson learned for us all!

You sound on tract in what you need to keep your sugar down. I'm comfortable with readings of 95-100 before meals. My last A1c was 5.4.

It’s a wonder all the foods we once thought were healthy foods are now off base for us as a diabetic. I have a diabetic friend who uses insulin and has a banana & cereal everyday. Me - I can't have bananas at all.

As for low carb diets - there's a new diet invented everyday. You have to eat to fit your lifestyle and health. I can't imagine eating pancakes, bacon & eggs often is healthy in the long run. :rolleyes:

Well, it is true what is good for one may not be good for another.

PollyAnn