fasting blood sugar numbers

LoriWants2Lose · 11-04-2004, 01:54 PM

I bought a blood glucose monitor and was reading that under 140 helps prevent damage, 80-110 is normal. However, I've read elsewhere that they are now suggesting lower numbers. What is a good number to aim for in blood sugar both fasting and 1 and 2 hours after eating a low carb meal? (I refuse to eat high carb to do a test--hello!)

Thanks!

Lori

Diana · 11-04-2004, 02:17 PM

I just got mine back and mine is 75. I was wondering if it was good, bad or what. That was about 1.5-2 hours after eating.

Atkins_Nutritionist · 11-04-2004, 02:24 PM

Do you have diabetes?
You have some facts correct but the wording of your statement leads me to believe you have some things confused and I hope I can clear things up.

In a non-diabetic individual who has not eaten, blood sugar will be between around 80-110 mg/dl (mg/dl means milligrams of glucose in 100 milliliters of blood).After a non-diabetic person eats, their blood sugar will increase and this varies according to the individual and also according to the meal. It may increase to 160 mg/dl after the meal and an 1-2 hrs later decrease to 140 mg/dl and 2-3 hours later down to 120 mg/dl and then will go back into normal range. It decreases like this because their pancreas is working efficiently to secrete insulin and their cells are working efficiently to take the blood sugar out of the blood and put it into the cells for energy.

In a diabetic individual, the pancreas is not working efficiently and the cells are not working efficiently so not only does the blood sugar not stay in normal range in between meals, but can increase significantly after meals. There are different treatments for this- usually a combination of medications, diet, and exercise work best and everything works more efficiently after weight loss especially. If an individual is diabetic, they want their treatment to allow them to control their blood sugar as closely as someone who does not have diabetes. This is difficult, and sometimes ranges are given so they may strive to stay under 140 mg/dl even though below 110 mg/dl would be optimal.

If you do not have diabetes, you do not have to check your blood sugar since your body works efficiently to control your blood sugar.

FreeIndeed · 11-04-2004, 04:51 PM

Quote:

If you do not have diabetes, you do not have to check your blood sugar since your body works efficiently to control your blood sugar.

I read on another of Loriwants2lose posts that her doctor determined she is almost or borderline diabetic.

I believe it is her desire to keep from becoming a full blown diabetic. Correct me if I am wrong, Loriwants2lose.

I am not diabetic and my doctor prescribed glucose strips and a glucose monitor for me to test my blood sugar so I can take preventative measures to keep from becoming a full blown diabetic.

Don't know about Loriwants2lose, but I have no intention of waiting until if and when I am a full blown diabetic to test my blood sugars.

I am currently reading Dr. Bernstein's book, "The Diabetes Solution" and he recommends staying below 140 and that is for full blown diabetics on various medications and/or insulin and I have read that other places as well. As usual the experts disagree .... sigh. Can you recommend any reading material or books that deal with the subject?

LoriWants2Lose · 11-04-2004, 08:36 PM

No, I have not been classified as diabetic. It's exactly right that I'm trying to avoid that. I had one test come back about 6 weeks ago (fasting test) at 126, which was considered borderline. My doctor then retested 4 week later, expecting I would actually follow a low carb diet and exercise, but silly me, I didn't. It came back this time at 134.

My doctor pretty firmly told me that now is the time to get these numbers down or else I am going to face diabetes, but she thinks it is still reversible.

Atkins_Nutritionist · 11-05-2004, 01:48 PM

I didn’t realize from your original post that your blood sugar has been above normal ranges, it sounded to me that you were trying to see how following controlled carb meal planning would affect your blood sugar. Sorry for misinterpreting, that happens sometimes in bulletin board communication.

I think it is a great idea that you (freeindeed and lori) are taking preventative measures to get your blood sugar under control so that it does not manifest to diabetes. Another book you can read is Atkins Diabetes Revolution. Dr. Atkins began writing the book and it was finished by the nurse who worked with him for 25 years and also at member of the Atkins Physicians Council.

Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.

LoriWants2Lose · 11-07-2004, 09:43 PM

Thanks. I haven't read that one. I'll definitely pick up a copy.

11-04-2004, 01:54 PM	#1
LoriWants2Lose MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere my imagination takes me Posts: 1,964 Gallery: LoriWants2Lose Stats: 229/209.8/155 WOE: Atkins Start Date: over and over again, but not giving up!	fasting blood sugar numbers I bought a blood glucose monitor and was reading that under 140 helps prevent damage, 80-110 is normal. However, I've read elsewhere that they are now suggesting lower numbers. What is a good number to aim for in blood sugar both fasting and 1 and 2 hours after eating a low carb meal? (I refuse to eat high carb to do a test--hello!) Thanks! Lori

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11-04-2004, 02:17 PM	#2
Diana Allergic to Carbs- I break out in Fat! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 34,966 Gallery: Diana Stats: 176.5/138.8/134 (5'3") WOE: The Original Atkins Start Date: 8/11/03 Restart 4/08	I just got mine back and mine is 75. I was wondering if it was good, bad or what. That was about 1.5-2 hours after eating.

11-04-2004, 02:24 PM	#3
Atkins_Nutritionist Nutritionist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Atkins Health and Medical Information Services Posts: 684 Gallery: Atkins_Nutritionist	Do you have diabetes? You have some facts correct but the wording of your statement leads me to believe you have some things confused and I hope I can clear things up. In a non-diabetic individual who has not eaten, blood sugar will be between around 80-110 mg/dl (mg/dl means milligrams of glucose in 100 milliliters of blood).After a non-diabetic person eats, their blood sugar will increase and this varies according to the individual and also according to the meal. It may increase to 160 mg/dl after the meal and an 1-2 hrs later decrease to 140 mg/dl and 2-3 hours later down to 120 mg/dl and then will go back into normal range. It decreases like this because their pancreas is working efficiently to secrete insulin and their cells are working efficiently to take the blood sugar out of the blood and put it into the cells for energy. In a diabetic individual, the pancreas is not working efficiently and the cells are not working efficiently so not only does the blood sugar not stay in normal range in between meals, but can increase significantly after meals. There are different treatments for this- usually a combination of medications, diet, and exercise work best and everything works more efficiently after weight loss especially. If an individual is diabetic, they want their treatment to allow them to control their blood sugar as closely as someone who does not have diabetes. This is difficult, and sometimes ranges are given so they may strive to stay under 140 mg/dl even though below 110 mg/dl would be optimal. If you do not have diabetes, you do not have to check your blood sugar since your body works efficiently to control your blood sugar.

11-04-2004, 08:36 PM	#5
LoriWants2Lose MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere my imagination takes me Posts: 1,964 Gallery: LoriWants2Lose Stats: 229/209.8/155 WOE: Atkins Start Date: over and over again, but not giving up!	No, I have not been classified as diabetic. It's exactly right that I'm trying to avoid that. I had one test come back about 6 weeks ago (fasting test) at 126, which was considered borderline. My doctor then retested 4 week later, expecting I would actually follow a low carb diet and exercise, but silly me, I didn't. It came back this time at 134. My doctor pretty firmly told me that now is the time to get these numbers down or else I am going to face diabetes, but she thinks it is still reversible.

11-05-2004, 01:48 PM	#6
Atkins_Nutritionist Nutritionist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Atkins Health and Medical Information Services Posts: 684 Gallery: Atkins_Nutritionist	I didn’t realize from your original post that your blood sugar has been above normal ranges, it sounded to me that you were trying to see how following controlled carb meal planning would affect your blood sugar. Sorry for misinterpreting, that happens sometimes in bulletin board communication. I think it is a great idea that you (freeindeed and lori) are taking preventative measures to get your blood sugar under control so that it does not manifest to diabetes. Another book you can read is Atkins Diabetes Revolution. Dr. Atkins began writing the book and it was finished by the nurse who worked with him for 25 years and also at member of the Atkins Physicians Council. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.

11-07-2004, 09:43 PM	#7
LoriWants2Lose MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere my imagination takes me Posts: 1,964 Gallery: LoriWants2Lose Stats: 229/209.8/155 WOE: Atkins Start Date: over and over again, but not giving up!	Thanks. I haven't read that one. I'll definitely pick up a copy.