Morning Spikes

ursula · #1 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008, 02:15 AM

Hello, I am new to this forum.
I was diagnosed with Type 2 just before Christmas 2007. My fasting sugar level was around 16mmol/L so they could not do the glucose test at the Clinic. After eating - fairly normal meals, my level rose to around 22 or 23 mmol/L.

My doctor put me on 1 tablet of Glucomet mid day and expected I would have to increase that.

Changed my diet, took some Fenugreek and an increase in medication was not needed.

Eventually, on the 4th July this year, I stopped the medication all together since it was causing dramatic lows. I took the advise of a retired GP, who had worked in this field for 20 years, and cut out all carbs such as bread - potatoes - rice etc and my whole system seemed to come into a nice balance.

One difficulty still remains. My glucose level always spikes after breakfast. It starts around 6 mmol/L when I wake in the morning and then spikes to around 12 or 14 as soon as I have anything - however small to eat. This is slightly lower 9 or 10 if I have no fruit. During the day, even after eating a good meal, it stays balanced.

I take 2 fenugreek capsules (these are made by 'Health Aid' and contain 200mg standardized Fenugreek Seed Extract and 400mg Raw Fenugreek powder) and one ALA (Alpha lipoic acid) with the morning meal.

Should I be taking something late evening so that it is in my system in the morning?

I would also like to say that I feel TONS better - I feel I have got my life back again - am losing weight very gradually and am getting on with my very busy job (Marketing Director)

xMenace · #2 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008, 02:39 AM

Welcome.

Low carb dieting is doing wondors for many,

Quote:

Originally Posted by ursula

One difficulty still remains. My glucose level always spikes after breakfast. It starts around 6 mmol/L when I wake in the morning and then spikes to around 12 or 14 as soon as I have anything - however small to eat. This is slightly lower 9 or 10 if I have no fruit. During the day, even after eating a good meal, it stays balanced.

Don't eat fruit at breakfast. Stick with an omelette.

Search out 'dawn phenomenon'. Some succeed with pre-bed snacks to treat a supposed Symogi Effect, but most just live with it. Insulin pumps treat them very well, but obviously you can't use one yet. Test your numbers some night and find out if you bottom out, 2am - 4am.

ursula · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008, 09:00 AM

Thanks for that - I watched the Video "In Defense of Food" as well. Good stuff and I totally agree with it.
I did some research on the 'dawn phenomenon' and it was very interesting.
However, my glucose is not overly high before breakfast but 1 hour after breakfast and does not go down to normal levels till 3 to 4 hours after eating.

The omelette thing sounds sensible but I eat the fruit to compensate for the fact that I am consuming mostly protein and veg and the fruit gives me some dietary fibre - eggs on the other hand may constipate.

A one egg omelette would be rather small!

Still I get the point but I wish I could have my fruit and natural yogurt without having to worry....

Do you think that 3 hrs to get back to normal is safe?

xMenace · #4 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ursula

However, my glucose is not overly high before breakfast but 1 hour after breakfast and does not go down to normal levels till 3 to 4 hours after eating.

Sometimes when you go a long time fasting, any food consumed will cause a liver dump. I get this at lunch when I skip breakfast.

If it's something similar and not so much DP, try a late night protein snack to keep your tummy busy in the night. Also try eating a bit earlier. And test yourself some morning hourly with no food.

Quote:

Do you think that 3 hrs to get back to normal is safe?

Not for me.

ursula · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008, 09:57 AM

Thanks, your answers have been very helpful.
I will try those various options.
I will let you know in a couple of weeks what happens.

MaryVee · #6 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 08:11 AM

Ursula,

I make omelettes or scrambled eggs using one whole egg, and as many egg whites as I like. My dogs love getting the left-over yolks!
Mry

princesslinda · #7 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 08:14 AM

I have 2 eggs with meat for b/fast most days. I'm on no cholesterol meds. This b/fast keeps my post-meal #s from rising. If you worry about the eggs, eat the egg substitutes...or have egg-white omlettes, load them with your favorite veggies and/or cheese.

If you want some fruit, have an apple at lunch instead of b/fast.