[graffita]

Hello,
A few months ago I was told that my fasting glucose was elevated at 105. I know this is not an extremely high number, however, due to another illness I was diagnosed with,and the fact my dad has diabetes type 2, my doctor recommended that I monitor this.

I have since started Metformin and take up to 1000 mg a day. I also take some chromium and magnesium. I have strictly watched my diet since that last fasting glucose test. But I am always exhausted and feel generally under the weather frequently. On Thursday I took my first fasting glucose test in 3 months and was very worried the results would be poor.

My fasting glucose was down to 68 and it is to my understanding that is a very low number. I had not eaten for 13 hours to prepare and was wondering if it was that low due to the length I hadn't eaten in. I don't want the fasting glucose to be so low that it is unhealthy, either. I thought there was a range of 70 and up being considered healthy.

My question was whether anyone knew if this number was indicative of any other conditions? Did anyone taking Metformin experience a drop like that? My other question was, if I had fasted for even six or seven hours rather than 12, would the number be higher?

I am really a nervous wreck these days. I would love my numbers and levels to be in normal ranges, not high or low. While I know it was a relief I had lowered my fasting glucose, I worry that it is too low.

[Cinnabon]

graffitta,

I am a T1 on an insulin pump,I know its a bit different, but I believe the length of the fasting did have something to do with it. Haw often does this happen?

[Harold]

My question was whether anyone knew if this number was indicative of any other conditions? Did anyone taking Metformin experience a drop like that?

There is a warning that comes with Metformin that it may cause Hypo's. Don't know why you were fasting for 13 hours, but it probably a little too long of a time for you. When it becomes necessary to fast for that length of time or longer you might ask if your supposed to miss a dose. I know for some test especially like when they put you into a MRI or CAT your supposed to abstain from the Metformin for a period of time before having it done.

Actually a 105 (5.8) not that bad for most of us, and many more would like to see a 105 (5.8) fasting. Unless your feeling like your glucose is dropping fast a 68 (3.7) is still okay. Like you said 70+ (3.9) is okay and since meters are at best considered no beter than 10% accurate you may actually have been 73.

On Thursday I took my first fasting glucose test in 3 months and was very worried the results would be poor.

My other question was, if I had fasted for even six or seven hours rather than 12, would the number be higher?

Now tell me the doctor ment for you to check it a little more often than every three months? Worrying about results and not checking will do you more harm than checking and finding your high. Worrying about it most likely will make you high. May we also assume your not checking 2 hours post meals or any other times as well since you do not have any idea what you might be doing at 6 or 7 hours fasting? We are all different in how we react to any stimuli at any one time, and chances are down the road we will react differently at some other time.

Obviousely the doctor did not dx you with diabetes or even pre-diabetes with one fasting blood glucose reading of 105, but they see something to make them treat you aggressively. While for some an elevated fasting glucose level may be the first sign for others it will be the post 2hour meal reading. My guess you should be testing a fasting and post meal at least once a month. Then if you see them going up try it weekly.