Self testing BG levels.

[Roy Gardiner]

I am type-2, currently taking no medication. I've just starting measuring BG levels.

Today BG 9.4 (169) a.m fasting; breakfast, then after 2 hours strenuous cycling plus an hour's recovery with just water taken, 11.6(208). Spare ribs for lunch, then just before dinner this evening 6.5(117). Should I expect BG to rise after exercise then dip into the 'safe' zone, or what?

[4519]

Yes and no. It probably is more typical for them to drop. Some people say that it is the time of day that matters. I have heard that if you exercise in the morning and your bg goes up try exercising in the afternoon and it should be better. Is there any special reason for not taking medications? I, like just about eveybody else, though taking medications was a sign that I was worse off than someone that does not take medications. It took me a long time(months) to see that it not that way at all. If you are not taking medications and your numbers are higher than they should be your beta cells are being stressed a lot and that is not 'doing better' than someone that is controlling bg numbers in the a safe(r) range. Saving your beta cells is done by keeping your bg numbers down.

169 am fasting is really high. It also might depend on what you eat for breakfast. You said 2 hours strenous cycling with an hours recovery - you should come down to your normal in 2 hours, but some foods will effect you differently and longer. There is a lot to it.

[Roy Gardiner]

Is there any special reason for not taking medications? I'm only just diagnosed; it seems reasonable to see how things work before starting medication (which has been prescribed). Is that wrong or unreasonable?

[4519]

Well, it really depends on what your health situation is. It would depend on what your A1c falls and what your general level of control are. It takes, sometimes, up to 10 years to be diagnosed type 2. If you have been diagnosed early enough you might do well with diet and exercise only. You might respond well not requiring medications to bring you into control. The advantage of taking the meds now is to get you under control as soon as possible. The 'evil' part of diabetes is high glucose numbers not the medications they prescribe. Don't get me wrong, I don't like medications myself - the possible side effects of some of the drugs is bothersome. But, so are the effects of high blood glucose levels. You are actually allowing part of your body to die when you are maintain high glucose levels(beta cells) Ok, I don't think anybody says that what you do today or tomorrow is the deciding decision in your treatment - it is a lifestyle change that gives you the longtime benifits. I would not take long to decide to take the medications. if you numbers don't come down right away then the meds are called for. you can always stop taking them when you get in the right ranges.

[shanda]

Hi Roy :)

I've been told that 'normal' fasting bg or what I should aim for is between 4 - 7. And two hours after a meal under 10 is good, so your fasting level seems a bit high to me. You might want to check that with your doctor what level you should be seeing in the morning after fasting. It seems good for you in the evening though :)

I take Metformin twice a day, 500mg with breakfast and 500mg with dinner, and I am keeping between 4 - 7 so it works for me.

[Cyborg]

Aerobic exercise tends to lower bg, while anaerobic exercise tends to raise bg.

[shanda]

Hey Cyborg :)

I didn't know that, thanks for the info :)

[DonnieD]

Hi Roy,

If your fasting bg is consistently high .... I'd do some more detective work. What is your bg just before bedtime ?? Maybe it's rising your last reading. Maybe your bg is rising as you sleep. If this is the case, some medication at night might help.

The more that you can find out on your own, the better your MD will be able to treat you.

Also agree w/Cyborg ... I've experienced anaerobic excercise raising bg.