FBS vs random values

[binnieman]

I realize I am asking very fundamental questions but I am really new to this situation and still learning the basics. My question right now is why is my FBS (first thing in the morning) usually between 100 and 105 but later in the day drops to low 90's? I normally stop eating after 7 pm. Last night at 10, I measured 92 but when I woke up around 7 this morning I was 102. Intuitively, I thought the reverse would be true. Also my two hour post meal numbers are in the low 100's. I am still working on getting a1c done.

[Granny Shanny]

Many of us experience higher waking numbers, but I would kill to have the ones you have! :D :D :D

Keep reading through the threads and you'll come across many conversations about this - dawn phenomenon - and a few suggestions about how to defense it.

For myself, I think I'm gonna just let it ride for awhile. I was obsessing about it, and wonder if I wasn't doing more harm than good.

Another thing to keep in mind is that meters can have a variance of 20% . . .

[Ronin]

Hi Binnieman!

First of all welcome to the club you never wanted to join.

As GS noted, this is called the Dawn Phenomenon. While it seems to be counter-intuitive it actually makes sense. Even while you are sleeping your body is using energy to keep your body running.

Once the free floating glucose is used up the body then turns to the liver to release glycogen as fuel for the various cells in the body that are still working while you are asleep. Hence, by the time you have been without food for eight or more hours your liver is dumping glycogen into your blood stream.

There is a theory about Pre-D and the onset of Type-2 Diabetes that the regulatory mechanism is somehow out-of-whack therefore your FBG numbers are in excess of 100 even though you haven't eaten for over eight hours.

Personally, I find that when I fast too long I am always at the mercy of a DP/liver dump that pushes my BG levels above 100. Sometimes I have re-checked 15 to 30 minutes later only to get a reading in the low 90's or high 80's. It can simply be timing of how fast your pancreas deliverd the insulin and/or how fast your cells consumed the glycogen.

Some have noted that a small pre-bed snack lowers FBG numbers. I've tried this with mixed results. It seems to work if your are really concerned about the FBG numbers you can try it for yourself.

[binnieman]

Thanks GS and Ronin. My learning curve is quite steep but I am starting to understand my situation as it relates to other people. I have only been measuring my BG at home for just over a week now but I did notice also that the longer I fast, the higher my BG values, ranging from 88 to 111. My post meal numbers are almost the same as prior to eating, which I understand is good. Is there any co-relation between FBS and BG levels at any other time be it two hours after meal or later on? Also is there any point in measuring immediately after eating? Finally, I am already physically active and I make healthy choices with food, well within normal weight range, optimal lipids and BP. How else do I fight with the now high risk situation that I find myself for T2?

[Ronin]

Hi Binnieman!

If your post prandial numbers are pretty much the same as your pre-prandial numbers that says that your system is working. The question is how well is it working?

The early learning stages are a bit weird. You got a diagnosis of Pre-D and started testing. Anything else? Perhaps not, and that is not unusual.

I'd start with an HbA1c, and if your MD is unwilling to do one Wallmart has home test kits that are said to be reliable. That gives you your average BG levels over time (weighted average of the past 90 days weighted to the past four to six weeks). That gives you a much better picture of how your body manages glucose.

I also recommend that you consider getting a fasting C-Peptide test the next time you have blood work done. Why? A lot of adults are presumed to be Insulin Resistant (IR) and therefore headed towards Type-2 Diabetes (given the nature of the adult population this isn't a bad guess). However, in an otherwise fit and active person high BG levels can be a first sign of a pancreas that is slowing down or shutting down. That means that you might be headed towards Type-1.5 or LADA.

The reason this is important is because Type-2 drugs are designed to increase sensitivity to insulin and overcome IR. Well, if your body isn't producing sufficient insulin in the first place, all those drugs will provide are the nasty side effects.

You need to learn how your body processes glucose and modify your diet to get and maintain a stable and normal HbA1c. The Pre-D Diagnosis is a warning to change your lifestyle and potentially avoid onset of full blown Diabetes.

[binnieman]

Ronin, your posts in this thread are simply priceless because I now I have a good idea of what I am dealing with. I am sure a lot of people in this forum are dealing with more serious situations than a slightly elevated FBG but I would rather over-react and be safe than ignore this as my doctor at first advised me to do. In any case, I will buy the a1c kit from Walmart within the next day or two and post the results here. Also, as you advised, I will start checking what foods overwhelm my glucose regulation and avoid them. The good thing is I am already doing many things right, for example, I do not even remember the last time I consumed sweet treats like candy, ice cream, soda etc. and empty carbs. But I will have to cut on breads.