Blood sugar question for the diabetics here

Hilly · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 8

Hi. I have a question about blood sugar. I am not a diabetic (at least not
diagnosed), but I am obese, and began low carb a couple months ago. I bought
a blood glucose meter to see how different foods affect my blood sugar.

I test before supper, and the meter reads 91. I test 2 hours after I begin
eating my supper, and it reads 91. The next morning for grins, I test before
eating or drinking, and it reads 120. How can this be? All I had for supper
the night before was pork roast slow cooked in sauer kraut, and a small
salad consisting of spinach, tomato, a small green onion, about 1/2 oz.
shredded cheddar, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds with ranch dressing. I
didn't eat more than about 1/4 c. of the kraut, and about 4oz. of the pork.
Are readings like this normal, or does my meter sound wonky? I thought that
your sugar rises right after a meal, and then drops again after x amount of
time.

I make sure that the code on the meter matches the code on the test strips,
so that's not a problem.

Archived from group: alt>support>diet>low-carb

Roger Zoul · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 4659

Sounds like the Dawn's phenonenon to me. The liver starts dumping BG in the
night.
This might not be good news from one point of view (ie, you're really a T2
or on the way)...but at
least you're LCing already, which is good news. Eating a small amount of
carbs at bedtime might help.
Although I'm a T2 diabetic, I don't have this problem. Hopefully some of
the others here will post a better response for you.

Hilly wrote:
:: Hi. I have a question about blood sugar. I am not a diabetic (at
:: least not diagnosed), but I am obese, and began low carb a couple
:: months ago. I bought a blood glucose meter to see how different
:: foods affect my blood sugar.
::
:: I test before supper, and the meter reads 91. I test 2 hours after I
:: begin eating my supper, and it reads 91. The next morning for grins,
:: I test before eating or drinking, and it reads 120. How can this be?
:: All I had for supper the night before was pork roast slow cooked in
:: sauer kraut, and a small salad consisting of spinach, tomato, a
:: small green onion, about 1/2 oz. shredded cheddar, and a sprinkle of
:: sesame seeds with ranch dressing. I didn't eat more than about 1/4
:: c. of the kraut, and about 4oz. of the pork. Are readings like this
:: normal, or does my meter sound wonky? I thought that your sugar
:: rises right after a meal, and then drops again after x amount of
:: time.
::
:: I make sure that the code on the meter matches the code on the test
:: strips, so that's not a problem.

Hilly · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 8

"Roger Zoul" wrote in message @mid.individual.net...
> Sounds like the Dawn's phenonenon to me. The liver starts dumping BG in
> the night.
> This might not be good news from one point of view (ie, you're really a T2
> or on the way)...but at
> least you're LCing already, which is good news. Eating a small amount of
> carbs at bedtime might help.
> Although I'm a T2 diabetic, I don't have this problem. Hopefully some of
> the others here will post a better response for you.

How can eating carbs at bedtime help? Normally, if I eat _anything_ near
bedtime, I wake up really ravenous.
I hate that feeling, so I avoid eating after about 7 pm.

Roger Zoul · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 4659

Hilly wrote:
:: "Roger Zoul" wrote in message
:: @mid.individual.net...
::: Sounds like the Dawn's phenonenon to me. The liver starts dumping
::: BG in the night.
::: This might not be good news from one point of view (ie, you're
::: really a T2 or on the way)...but at
::: least you're LCing already, which is good news. Eating a small
::: amount of carbs at bedtime might help.
::: Although I'm a T2 diabetic, I don't have this problem. Hopefully
::: some of the others here will post a better response for you.
::
:: How can eating carbs at bedtime help?

It's a good question...as i don't have the issue to deal with, I haven't
bothered to read up on it.

Try this: http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/17561156.php

:: Normally, if I eat _anything_
:: near bedtime, I wake up really ravenous.

Don't you think that's curious too?

:: I hate that feeling, so I avoid eating after about 7 pm.

Cheri · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 549

It could be dawn phenomonon, commonly known as liver dump. As a
diabetic, I always have a small *protein* snack before bedtime,
usually cheese. Try it and see if it works for you. Good luck.

Cheri

Hilly wrote in message ...
>Hi. I have a question about blood sugar. I am not a diabetic (at
least not
>diagnosed), but I am obese, and began low carb a couple months ago. I
bought
>a blood glucose meter to see how different foods affect my blood
sugar.
>
>I test before supper, and the meter reads 91. I test 2 hours after I
begin
>eating my supper, and it reads 91. The next morning for grins, I test
before
>eating or drinking, and it reads 120. How can this be? All I had for
supper
>the night before was pork roast slow cooked in sauer kraut, and a
small
>salad consisting of spinach, tomato, a small green onion, about 1/2
oz.
>shredded cheddar, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds with ranch dressing.
I
>didn't eat more than about 1/4 c. of the kraut, and about 4oz. of the
pork.
>Are readings like this normal, or does my meter sound wonky? I
thought that
>your sugar rises right after a meal, and then drops again after x
amount of
>time.
>
>I make sure that the code on the meter matches the code on the test
strips,
>so that's not a problem.
>
>

Martin Barrett · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 6

Cheri wrote:
> It could be dawn phenomonon, commonly known as liver dump. As a
> diabetic, I always have a small *protein* snack before bedtime,
> usually cheese. Try it and see if it works for you. Good luck.
>
> Cheri
>
>
I don't eat dairy - would a small piece of meat do the job??

Cheri · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 549

Martin Barrett wrote in message ...
>Cheri wrote:
>> It could be dawn phenomonon, commonly known as liver dump. As a
>> diabetic, I always have a small *protein* snack before bedtime,
>> usually cheese. Try it and see if it works for you. Good luck.
>>
>> Cheri
>>
>>
>I don't eat dairy - would a small piece of meat do the job??

Sure, many times I will have some leftover chicken, pork, etc., and
sometimes a TBS of peanut butter. The cheese is just handy for me, but any
protein snack often times will help people with morning BG numbers. Best to
you.

Cheri

Hilly · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 8

"Roger Zoul" wrote in message @mid.individual.net...
> Hilly wrote:
> :: "Roger Zoul" wrote in message
> :: @mid.individual.net...
> ::: Sounds like the Dawn's phenonenon to me. The liver starts dumping
> ::: BG in the night.
> ::: This might not be good news from one point of view (ie, you're
> ::: really a T2 or on the way)...but at
> ::: least you're LCing already, which is good news. Eating a small
> ::: amount of carbs at bedtime might help.
> ::: Although I'm a T2 diabetic, I don't have this problem. Hopefully
> ::: some of the others here will post a better response for you.
> ::
> :: How can eating carbs at bedtime help?
>
> It's a good question...as i don't have the issue to deal with, I haven't
> bothered to read up on it.
>
> Try this: http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/17561156.php
>
> :: Normally, if I eat _anything_
> :: near bedtime, I wake up really ravenous.
>
> Don't you think that's curious too?
>
> :: I hate that feeling, so I avoid eating after about 7 pm.
>

Thanks, I visited the link you provided and although I have trouble wrapping
my mind around a lot of things, the dawn phenomenon made sense to me.

I wonder what the normal waking BG should be? Most of the times it's around
90 or so, but once in a while it's higher. The highest has been 122. But
that's still not high, is it? I've never had a reading at any time over 122.
At least not since I started LC. I have to wonder though, what my readings
were before I started LC. I don't intend to find out though, because I get
some nasty carb withdrawl symtoms when I cut carbs drastically: Pounding
head, slow, heavy pulse, lightheadedness, shakiness, feeling like I may
black out, nausea, etc. After a week or so on LC it stops, but getting there
is not fun.

As for the waking up ravenous thing... I never really though much about it.
It's just been that way most of my life.

Roger Zoul · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 4659

Hilly wrote:
:: "Roger Zoul" wrote in message
:: @mid.individual.net...
::: Hilly wrote:
::::: "Roger Zoul" wrote in message
::::: @mid.individual.net...
:::::: Sounds like the Dawn's phenonenon to me. The liver starts
:::::: dumping BG in the night.
:::::: This might not be good news from one point of view (ie, you're
:::::: really a T2 or on the way)...but at
:::::: least you're LCing already, which is good news. Eating a small
:::::: amount of carbs at bedtime might help.
:::::: Although I'm a T2 diabetic, I don't have this problem. Hopefully
:::::: some of the others here will post a better response for you.
:::::
::::: How can eating carbs at bedtime help?
:::
::: It's a good question...as i don't have the issue to deal with, I
::: haven't bothered to read up on it.
:::
::: Try this: http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/17561156.php
:::
::::: Normally, if I eat _anything_
::::: near bedtime, I wake up really ravenous.
:::
::: Don't you think that's curious too?
:::
::::: I hate that feeling, so I avoid eating after about 7 pm.
:::
::
:: Thanks, I visited the link you provided and although I have trouble
:: wrapping my mind around a lot of things, the dawn phenomenon made
:: sense to me.
::
:: I wonder what the normal waking BG should be?

Well, it varies, but I'd say around 85 or so. But 90 isn't bad.

Most of the times it's
:: around 90 or so, but once in a while it's higher. The highest has
:: been 122. But that's still not high, is it?

I think that's high for fasting. I'd be concerned if it were like that
everyday.

:: I've never had a reading
:: at any time over 122. At least not since I started LC. I have to
:: wonder though, what my readings were before I started LC.

Yeah, I would too.

I don't
:: intend to find out though, because I get some nasty carb withdrawl
:: symtoms when I cut carbs drastically: Pounding head, slow, heavy
:: pulse, lightheadedness, shakiness, feeling like I may black out,
:: nausea, etc. After a week or so on LC it stops, but getting there is
:: not fun.

You're saying that when you go on LC you get this, right? After being off LC
for a while?
It's very normal the first time or two...but after I while you won't get
this...at least if you're like me. Some, though, are indeed different in
this regard.

::
:: As for the waking up ravenous thing... I never really though much
:: about it. It's just been that way most of my life.

If you keep getting the higher readings, then a small bit of a high-protein
food might be the best plan. You'll have to continue to monitor and follow
what your body tells you, though.

I'm not interested in pushing you to find out if you're diabetic or
not...but with a meter and careful testing you can do it yourself. That
site has all the info you need. I'd also suggest you not hurry off to get
diagnosed by a doctor either, unless you're having some serious problems. To
ignore it might not be wise in the long run. Knowledge is power.

As you no doubt have discovered, LC is good at controlling blood sugar.
Adding in some exercise would be a very wise idea, too.

Cheri · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 549

Roger Zoul wrote in message

...
>I'm not interested in pushing you to find out if you're diabetic or
>not...but with a meter and careful testing you can do it yourself.
That
>site has all the info you need. I'd also suggest you not hurry off
to get
>diagnosed by a doctor either, unless you're having some serious
problems. To
>ignore it might not be wise in the long run. Knowledge is power.
>
>As you no doubt have discovered, LC is good at controlling blood
sugar.
>Adding in some exercise would be a very wise idea, too.

Yes, what Roger said. Smile

Cheri

Hilly · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 8

"Roger Zoul" wrote in message @mid.individual.net...

> I'm not interested in pushing you to find out if you're diabetic or
> not...but with a meter and careful testing you can do it yourself. That
> site has all the info you need. I'd also suggest you not hurry off to get
> diagnosed by a doctor either, unless you're having some serious problems.
> To ignore it might not be wise in the long run. Knowledge is power.
>
> As you no doubt have discovered, LC is good at controlling blood sugar.
> Adding in some exercise would be a very wise idea, too.
>

Thanks again for that link. I'm gonna try that "home test" to find out what
my blood sugar is telling me.
I also agree that exercise is a good idea. I have been very lazy these past
months. I have a treadmill and some weights collecting dust. Guess it'll
have to do till spring gets here.

tsedinger · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 13

On Feb 8, 11:08 am, "Hilly" wrote:
> Hi. I have a question about blood sugar. I am not a diabetic (at least not
> diagnosed), but I am obese, and began low carb a couple months ago. I bought
> a blood glucose meter to see how different foods affect my blood sugar.
>
> I test before supper, and the meter reads 91. I test 2 hours after I begin
> eating my supper, and it reads 91. The next morning for grins, I test before
> eating or drinking, and it reads 120. How can this be? All I had for supper
> the night before was pork roast slow cooked in sauer kraut, and a small
> salad consisting of spinach, tomato, a small green onion, about 1/2 oz.
> shredded cheddar, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds with ranch dressing. I
> didn't eat more than about 1/4 c. of the kraut, and about 4oz. of the pork..
> Are readings like this normal, or does my meter sound wonky? I thought that
> your sugar rises right after a meal, and then drops again after x amount of
> time.
>
> I make sure that the code on the meter matches the code on the test strips,
> so that's not a problem.

Although I'm not diabetic I think it might be ineresting to track the
effects of carbs on my blood glucose. Can you recommend a simple
monitor? And, what might I expect to pay? thanks.

Principal Skinner · Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 6

wrote in message @h11g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
On Feb 8, 11:08 am, "Hilly" wrote:
> Hi. I have a question about blood sugar. I am not a diabetic (at least not
> diagnosed), but I am obese, and began low carb a couple months ago. I
> bought
> a blood glucose meter to see how different foods affect my blood sugar.

>>I make sure that the code on the meter matches the code on the test
>>strips,
>> so that's not a problem.

>Although I'm not diabetic I think it might be ineresting to track the
>effects of carbs on my blood glucose. Can you recommend a simple
>monitor? And, what might I expect to pay? thanks.

I have had the same curiosity, so if it helps encourage you, know that your
answer is helping at least three people.

Cheri · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 549

tsedinger@yahoo.com wrote in message ...
On Feb 8, 11:08 am, "Hilly" wrote:
> Hi. I have a question about blood sugar. I am not a diabetic (at
least not
> diagnosed), but I am obese, and began low carb a couple months ago.
I bought
> a blood glucose meter to see how different foods affect my blood
sugar.
>
> I test before supper, and the meter reads 91. I test 2 hours after I
begin
> eating my supper, and it reads 91. The next morning for grins, I
test before
> eating or drinking, and it reads 120. How can this be? All I had for
supper
> the night before was pork roast slow cooked in sauer kraut, and a
small
> salad consisting of spinach, tomato, a small green onion, about 1/2
oz.
> shredded cheddar, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds with ranch
dressing. I
> didn't eat more than about 1/4 c. of the kraut, and about 4oz. of
the pork.
> Are readings like this normal, or does my meter sound wonky? I
thought that
> your sugar rises right after a meal, and then drops again after x
amount of
> time.
>
> I make sure that the code on the meter matches the code on the test
strips,
> so that's not a problem.

Although I'm not diabetic I think it might be ineresting to track the
effects of carbs on my blood glucose. Can you recommend a simple
monitor? And, what might I expect to pay? thanks.
____________

Wal-Mart Relion, or Walgreens' Tru-Track, usually the monitors are
less than $15.00 but the strips are what costs. Relion strips and
Tru-Track strips are around $40-50 for 100 depending on the store, and
fifty strips usually around $25.00, but that is still only about half
the price of name brand meter strips.

Cheri

Roger Zoul · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 4659

wrote

>>Although I'm not diabetic I think it might be ineresting to track the
>>effects of carbs on my blood glucose. Can you recommend a simple
>>monitor? And, what might I expect to pay? thanks.

I think Wal-mart sells one under the Reli-on name. Keep in mind that most
of the expense is it test strips, not the monitors. They sell strips for
their meters.

You can likely get better info quickly in Google as this question as been
addressed a lot on newsgroups.

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