Blood Sugar Testing?
My doctor put me on freestyle meter yesterday, since starting the tests my readings have been very up and down. When I eat and drink whatever I want the test shows lower results. When I don't eat and only drink water they are above 125. This makes no sense to me what so ever, and I have tried to research this but am getting no where. When I had my lab work done all I had in my system was water, I was not suppose to be fasting but I didn't feel like eating because I was having real bad headaches. As of yesterday my doctor is telling me there is some kind of problem with my sugar because of something in my lab results. If anyone has any idea what is going on please let me know.
Tags: drink water, headaches, lab results
July 9th, 2010 at 10:50 am
The information you’ve provided is too vague. You only post an example as "over 125" but not when you’re taking it. If it’s a fasting glucose level then it’s possible that you’re getting a dawn effect. If you’re starving yourself your liver will kick out glucagon for fuel, which means your glucose levels can be elevated. If you’re having reactive hypoglycemia, where your body is over reacting to food and releasing too much insulin, your liver may pump out that glucagon too, which means your glucose will drop and then rebound later causing a high later…even many hours later. Also, are you testing in places other than your fingers? When using alternate test sites, like the forearm, will be behind what your finger tests are and I’ve found them to vary a lot more too. It’s possible that you’re in the early stages of diabetes. I have never heard of a glucose test that you’re SUPPOSED to eat? It’s either a fasting test or glucose tolerance test, where you go in fasting, drink a sugary liquid and then they check your glucose over a couple hour time span. Hopefully your doctor will clear things up for you.
July 9th, 2010 at 10:50 am
There is a functional hypoglycemia with insulin secreted in response to food. Fasting would be lower. Usually a patient with this condition will get shocky after a high carbohydrate meal.
July 9th, 2010 at 10:50 am
It’s the fasting and only drinking water that is throwing your sugar out of whack. Even moderate meals with no added sugar and a regular amount of exercise enables you to CONTROL your sugar. You should be testing twice a day right before you eat, and taking any diabetic medication right after. If you are not on medication, your doctor may be trying to have you control your sugar without it. That takes an iron will and a life style you have not mastered. I would get another opinion, but the all day fasting and the water are obviously not doing it for you. The answer to diabetes is not a water regimen, but a good, sugar free diet with low carbs. You also need to see a good dietitian. B.
July 9th, 2010 at 10:50 am
Because of the fasting and lack of a good eating plan, your body’s liver might be kicking out extra glucose into your blood stream in response to the lack of food. the headaches might be caused by low blood sugar. you need to see a nutritionist to help you develop a meal plan, but this is what I eat to control my diabetes. it might work for you until you can see a nutritionist to help design a meal plan that works for you. you need to start with a good breakfast of either cereal or oatmeal, a piece of fruit and milk. for a midmorning snack, try an ounce of meat or cheese and a piece of fruit or a piece of bread. for lunch, 2 small wheat tortillas filled with 1/2 ounce of chicken, ham, or beef, with a little bit of cheese, beans, and fresh spinach and sprouts eaten with 1/2 cup of fresh vegies, and 1/2 cup of milk. afternoon snack try eating 1/2 sandwich and 1/2 cup of blueberries. for dinner, 3 ounces of fish cooked in olive oil, 1/2 cup of al dente wheat pasta, 1/2 cup of fruit and 1/2 cup of fresh vegies and milk. for a before bedtime snack try eating a 1/2 cup of sugar free ice cream, pudding, or some meat and cheese with 5 small crackers. it’s easier to follow a meal plan that specifies how many fruits, vegies, proteins, carbs, and fat servings you can have per day than to count carbs. it’s healthier and makes you make healthy choices. counting carbs gives diabetics free reign to eat high processed,high sugar foods which can ruin your health and control. try eating 3 moderate meals and 3 snacks a day and try to exercise, walking, etc, for at least 30 minutes a day. drink plenty of high quality green, red, and black teas and high quality, high antioxidant fruit juices. good luck.
July 9th, 2010 at 10:50 am
well when i got my first meter i was 12 i had no idea what i was doing so i just quit using it but after the first trip to the emergency room i started asking mdy doctor and he told me how to use it so after awile of using it i recorded every testing i did i showed my doctor he gave me a shot and that helped me and still helps me keep my sugars under controll
July 9th, 2010 at 10:50 am
Did you calibrate the meter to match the number on the side of the vial of the test strips? If you don’t do this with the freestyle meter, your numbers will not be accurate.
July 9th, 2010 at 10:50 am
I was diagnosed 2 years ago with type 2 diabetes and had the same problem. Some times is takes several months to get it regulated and lost of trial and error in figuring things out. I too use the freestyle meter. the best info that i found was through WebMD and the Diabetes foundation as well as talking with a nutritionist. Good Luck to you and hang in there.