I am new to this and not sure what to make of the readings I took first thing on getting up in morning.

1st reading was 1.2, so I thought that is pretty low I had better take another, and it was 2.4. I then had a drink of water and took one more reading and it was up to 5.8. This is all within a half hour of getting up, so it seems like an error to me.

Would it ever change this quickly?

Would water intake affect it?

Thanks for your input.

When you get up, esp if you have low bg (that was way to low. btw) the liver does it's job and starts to crank out some glucose...google dawn phenomenon
s

I am pretty sure those two low readings were an error, it was ok this morning however my post eating ones are below normal range somewhat. (in the 4-5 range). It was actually higher upon getting up this morning.

It sounds like your glucose monitor might be playing up. My Gran has had this problem with hers several times. Wash your hands before testing incase you have anything on your fingers that may interfere with the test. 1.2 is very very very low. Infact its dangerously low and if it was a true reading you would of been in a coma or certainly slipping into a coma hun.

If you have any test solution with your monitor, try this to make sure its working or failing that purchase a different accu chek monitor. (im from uk too so I understand your levels:))

take care x

I think it may have been contamination, as I haven't had unrealistic readings like that since. Mostly in the 4's range and some in the 5 - definately not overly high though. I tested the monitor - seems to be ok, as I was a bit suspicious as well of it. I don't know about these other readings, when I see the other units, I don't know what they mean as I don't know the ranges.

I wonder how fast the glucose level in blood can change? Either after getting up in morning - or after a meal, drink etc.

Thanks for your input.

Hi again,

I'm glad your monitor is working good. It must of been contamination then. Roughly your levels in UK should be: 3.9 and under is hypoglycemia and this is when you need something to eat fast. If your in the 1s always get help incase you lose consciousness. Anything above 10.0 is high. Above 17.0 and call your Doctor for advice but personally if your levels are over 15 then I would give the doctor a call.

If your level is between 4-5 then have a little snack. Always check before bedtime and if its 5-6 before bed, then have a little snack too. Will keep your levels stable all night. Or you could take a pack of biscuits to bed with you incase your levels drop slightly during the night. You have something on hand then if this should ever happen.

Sugar levels can change quickly. From experience I've noticed that during a hypo, if have something to eat and drink within 10-15minutes levels will of increased to normal range but sometimes it can take longer. :)

Good morning from Canada. I am not diabetic, however I do sometimes have problems with lower blood sugars. Not to the point of being hypoglycemic, but sometimes I am right on the border.

From everything that I have learned, your reading should be between 3.8 and 7.0 (65 - 119 for our American readers) upon waking in the morning, and 2 hours after eating a meal.

I am generally always after eating or going to bed somewhere between 4.9 and 5.6 after I eat, or when I go to bed. (83 - 95). But what I found interesting, is that when I wake up in the morning, my reading will be higher sometimes then when I went to bed. Example 4.9 when I go to bed, and 5.6 when I get up (83 - 95). At first I thought that this was strange, but then read about it and it makes sense. The Dawn Phenomenon.

During our sleep time, which can be of course for hours, our sugar levels drop, and when they do, the liver kicks in, and converts the glocose being stored into sugars. Of course the insulin kicks in to control the level. It is this boost of sugar, etc in the early AM that wakes us up, and gets us ready for the day.

So if your reading are within the range 3.8 - 7.0 when you go to bed, and if your liver and everything is working ok, you should be fine, as the mechanisms if working correctly will kick in to make sure that you get the sugar boost you need so that you do not fall below the normal limits. (This is how people have survived on those low carb diets - same kind of mechanism)
Although a bed time snack is always great ( I love them), I do not think that it is necessary in order to keep your blood sugar levels within range, as long as everything is working OK.

Have a nice day,
Gary

It is extremely necessary to keep his blood sugars in range, especially while on Insulin. A snack is necessary if his level is around the 5 marker prior to bedtime, otherwise his level may reduce during his sleep and cause a hypoglycemia attack, but everyone is different. 3.9 and under is hypoglycemia in UK. Around the 2 marker is severe hypoglyemia.

I have hypoglycemia myself so I'm very familiar with the UK levels.

My blood sugar was over 5 this morning (I'm also in Canada), but I started feeling very tired, weak and shaky (amongst my other symptoms) this morning. That feeling like you really need to eat something. I took my level at that point and it was 3.9, the testing equipment info says the range should be between 4 and 7 for not eating within the past 2 hours, which I had not.

This happens every once in a while, but I imagine this happens to everyone at times.

Yeah it vaires in some countries. Some countries say 3.6 is hypoglycemia. But its best to always have a snack when your levels are 5 and definitely when lower. Or take something bed with you that you can snack on.

If you read my previous post ignore that because I got you and the previous posted mixed up. :)