Exercise and high BG?

angelsbridges · #1 (**permalink**) 03-08-2009, 03:33 PM

Since I'm new to this whole thing, just wanted to ask another question!

Is it normal for your bg to go up after exercising a little? I used a stationary bike for 15 minutes last night (and took my sweet time, I didn't even break a sweat or come close), and when I got back to my room I took my reading and it was a bit high (before I went it was 91, after it was 110). I know those readings aren't bad but I thought exercise helped lower bg, not raising it.

ShottleBop · #2 (**permalink**) 03-08-2009, 04:23 PM

Strenuous exercise can help lower BGs; mild exercise can raise it. Also, exercise can have greater or lesser effect at different times of day. Experiment.

owlyn · #3 (**permalink**) 03-08-2009, 04:26 PM

Couple of things:

First, meters have an accuracy range of +/-20%, so 91 and 110 could possibly be the same, as they are just about within 20% of each other.

Second, your BG will go up when you first start exercising. It's a long story as to why, but on average (YMMV) your BG goes up during the first 20 minutes of exercise. On average, it the takes another 20 minutes to get it back to where it started. This is why I never exercise for less than 40 minutes. Again, YMMV, so you should test to see what happens with you.