Eating LC, but high BS spikes?

[DeltaSierra]

This has been bugging me for the last week and I'm at a loss - my blood sugar has been shooting very high after I eat, even if I eat a nearly zero-carb meal!

For example this morning my fasting BS was 9.5 mmol/L (171 mg/dL). For breakfast I had a cup of coffee with 2 tbsp HWC and liquid splenda, and 2 hard boiled eggs that I dipped in about 2 tbsp of mayo. I also took 750 mg Metformin.

An hour afterwards my BS was 12.5 (225)

Why would a nearly zero-carb meal spike my BS so much?

[cfine]

It sounds like you might have developed more of a type 1 diabetes. If it were me, I'd be getting to the doctor ASAP. Until then, I would record everything I ate and my BS numbers before eating and one and two hours after eating. If your pancreas is not able to make insulin anymore it doesn't matter how LC you eat. Your BS will still go up. Dr. Bernstein has a wonderful book that is helpful to people with type 1 especially, but also type II.

[DeltaSierra]

Can I still keep eating LC even if I start having to take insulin?

[CarolynF]

Originally Posted by DeltaSierra

Can I still keep eating LC even if I start having to take insulin?

Yes, Dr. Bernstein does..You won't need as much..

Your doctor might increase your meds first..

[scottieMike]

Fasting blood sugar should be about 100.

Going from 170 - 225 may not really be that much a change. However, the issue is that you are 170 in the first place. As stated about you need to see a doctor to start a blood workup and examination for being diabetic.

[cfine]

Yes, I take a long acting insulin at night and I still eat LC. I don't take any oral meds, but if I started eating more carbs I would have to. The Lantus at night helps me to have normal numbers during the day along with the LC diet.

[Vilya]

Agree with the others - you were either misdiagnosed as a Type 2 (happens a lot), or your pancreas has finally given up the ghost. Either way, it's time for insulin. You can definitely continue to eat LC with insulin (and should, IMO). You will be able to use less insulin if you stay LC, and less insulin means easier to lose or maintain weight.

[Janknitz]

There's another type of diabetes that appears to be Type II but is really more like an autoimmune diabetes. Ask your doctor about LADA. Jenny Ruhl's diabetes 101 site has infom on it.

You might see if the Splenda is spiking your blood sugar. Some people have a reaction to sweeteners because their gut perceives sweet things as sugar even if they are not.

[megansmom39]

Mayo is high in sugar believe it or not . Read your labels especially the ingredient list because nutritional information isn't all you need. And Splenda is not the greatest thing for diabetics. Try Stevia instead it has something in it that helps balance the insulin in your blood. And see an endocrinologist there may be something else in your endocrine system

[dsalazar4]

I am into week 6 of LC. My morning blood sugars keep rising. This morning 202. I have never had 200's in the morning when I was eating the crap. Today is the highest it has been. I get dawn phenomonon but Sheesh why is going up up and up. Finally got ahold of my doctor so I am starting Lantus tonight and I am very nervous about it. Don't know why. I have given myself shots before(used to be on Byetta) so thats not it. I have ordered Dr Bernsteins book as well as Blood Sugar 101. Sorry just venting. I really never wanted to do insulin. She has now taken me off all glipizide until we see how the Lantus does. How does Lantus work for most? I have researched it but am wondering if it will really help with the morning numbers and I am worried about lows. really hate that feeling.

[cfine]

I am taking Lantus at night, and it really does the trick. I haven't had any problems with it. The way to look at it is that you are helping to save what beta cells you have left in your pancreas. If there is ever a cure you want to have some functioning beta cells. Please don't think of this as a failure on your part. You need to do whatever is necessary to get those high numbers down and save yourself a lot of damage to your body in the future.

My one recommendation would be to keep it refrigerated even if you are using the pens. For some reason, if you leave it out it loses it's potency towards the end of the pen. If you are taking huge amounts then it shouldn't be a problem, but I am only doing 15 units per night. I was noticing that after about two weeks my numbers were going slightly higher. When I starting keeping the pen in the frig that stopped happening. It takes me a long time to go through a pen.

How much are you starting with? I started with 10 and then slowly went up to 15. I just kept upping it slowly until I hit where I wanted my FBS to be.

[dsalazar4]

I started last night at 5 units and she took me completely off glipizide. Does it take awhile to respond. This morning my sugar was still at 154 and I haven't gone off plan this week at all.

[ta456]

Hi, I am a newbie, after checking several threads, I thought would join this one if that is okay.
I have been in denial of my diabetes for the last 7 years, had a wakeup call, at my last doctors appointment. I made a deal with him that if I could not get my A1c's (7.1) down in six months; that I would at that time, take the additional meds he was recommending.

Right now I am testing,testing, testing...to find out what is affecting my spikes. After dinner spikes have been high as 288 and as low as 198.

I currently take 2000 mg Metformin XR. I am looking forward to this challenge. Right now I am discovering what affects my BS then adjusting as needed to not allow the numbers to go over 140 mg post meal.

[cfine]

I started last night at 5 units and she took me completely off glipizide. Does it take awhile to respond. This morning my sugar was still at 154 and I haven't gone off plan this week at all.

I think that is too low of a dose especially if you went off your oral meds. Maybe try 10 units and then go up one more unit per night until your numbers look better. That's how I did it, but I'm not a medical professional.

ta456-Is that you numbers ON the meds? If so, if it were me, I would be going on insulin ASAP. The longer your numbers are that high, the more damage you are doing to your body.

[ta456]

Yes On the meds. I see my doc next week, I'll talk with him. Currently my goal is to see what I can do by being vigilant, and finding where I peak and what foods are the culprits. I am positive I will be able to reduce the high numbers, but will need to do changes in meds at that time.
I already have complications as in neuropathy in feet...the meds have side effects I do not enjoy. But my feet are no longer on fire.

[cfine]

he meds have side effects I do not enjoy. But my feet are no longer on fire.

I couldn't take the Metformin because of major stomach issues. So far I haven't had any problems with the Lantus. As long as I stay LC and take my Lantus injection at night my numbers stay good. I never get a reading over 115 even after I eat. My FBS run around 90. I am so happy that I found something that works. I was really scared of insulin until I read Dr. Bernstein's book. I'm so glad I read it and tried the Lantus.

[dsalazar4]

I am taking metformin and Lantus. My numbers are good during the day. I have ordered Dr Bernsteins book. Can't wait to read it. I also ordered Blood sugar 101.