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When Your “Normal” Blood Sugar Isn’t Normal (Part 1)

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In the next two articles we’re going to discuss the concept of “normal” blood sugar. I say concept and put normal in quotation marks because what passes for normal in mainstream medicine turns out to be anything but normal if optimal health and function are what you’re interested in.

Here’s the thing. We’ve confused normal with common. Just because something is common, doesn’t mean it’s normal. It’s now becoming common for kids to be overweight and diabetic because they eat nothing but refined flour, high-fructose corn syrup and industrial seed oils. Yet I don’t think anyone (even the ADA) would argue that being fat and metabolically deranged is even remotely close to normal for kids. Or adults, for that matter.

In the same way, the guidelines the so-called authorities like the ADA have set for normal blood sugar may be common, but they’re certainly not normal. Unless you think it’s normal for people to develop diabetic complications like neuropathy, retinopathy and cardiovascular disease as they age, and spend the last several years of their lives in hospitals or assisted living facilities. Common, but not normal.

In this article I’m going to introduce the three markers we use to measure blood sugar, and tell you what the conventional model thinks is normal for those markers. In the next article, I’m going to show you what the research says is normal for healthy people. And I’m also going to show you that so-called normal blood sugar, as dictated by the ADA, can double your risk of heart disease and lead to all kinds of complications down the road.

The 3 Ways Blood Sugar Is Measured

Fasting blood glucose

This is still the most common marker used in clinical settings, and is often the only one that gets tested. The fasting blood glucose (FBG) test measures the concentration of glucose in the blood after an 8-12 hour fast.

It only tells us how blood sugar behaves in a fasting state. It tells us very little about how your blood sugar responds to the food you eat.

Up until 1998, the ADA defined FBG levels above 140 mg/dL as diabetic. In 1998, in a temporary moment of near-sanity, they lowered it to 126 mg/dL. (Forgive me for being skeptical about their motivations; normally when these targets are lowered, it’s to sell more drugs – not make people healthier.) They also set the upward limit of normal blood sugar at 99 mg/dL. Anything above that – but below 126 mg/dL – is considered “pre-diabetic”, or “impaired glucose tolerance” (IGT).

Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)

The OGTT measures first and second stage insulin response to glucose. Here’s how it works. You fast and then you’re given 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water. Then they test your blood sugar one and two hours after. If your blood sugar is >140 mg/dL two hours later, you have pre-diabetes. If it’s >199 mg/dL two hours later, you’ve got full-blown diabetes.

Keep in mind these are completely arbitrary numbers. If your result is 139 mg/dL – just one point below the pre-diabetic cut-off – you’ll be considered “normal”. Of course this is perfectly absurd. Diabetes isn’t like catching a cold. You don’t just wake up one day and say, “I’m not feeling so well. I think I got a bad case of diabetes yesterday.” Like all disease, diabetes—and diabesity—is a process. It goes something like this:

malfunction > disease process > symptoms

Before your blood sugar was 139, it was 135. Before it was 135, it was 130. Etcetera. Would you agree that it’s wise to intervene as early as possible in that progression toward diabetic blood sugar levels, in order to prevent it from happening in the first place? Well, the ADA does not agree. They prefer to wait until you’re almost beyond the point of no return to suggest there’s any problem whatsoever.

[End rant]

The other problem with the OGTT is that it’s completely artificial. I don’t know anyone who drinks a pure solution of 75 grams of glucose. A 32-oz Big Gulp from 7-11 has 96 grams of sugar, but 55% of that is fructose, which produces a different effect on blood sugar. The OGTT can be a brutal test for someone with impaired glucose tolerance, producing intense blood sugar swings far greater than what one would experience from eating carbohydrates.

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Hemoglobin A1c

Hemoglobin A1c, or A1c for short, has become more popular amongst practitioners in the past decade. It’s used to measure blood glucose in large population-based studies because it’s significantly cheaper than the OGTT test.

A1c measures how much glucose becomes permanently bonded (glycated) to hemoglobin in red blood cells. In layperson’s terms, this test is a rough measure of average blood sugar over the previous three months.

The higher your blood sugar has been over the past three months, the more likely it is that glucose (sugar) is permanently bonded to hemoglobin.

The problem with the A1c test is that any condition that changes hemoglobin levels will skew the results. Anemia is one such condition, and sub-clinical anemia is incredibly common. I’d say 30-40% of my patients have borderline low hemoglobin levels. If hemoglobin is low, then there’s less of it around to become bonded to glucose. This will cause an artificially low A1c level and won’t be an accurate representation of your average blood sugar over the past three months.

Likewise, dehydration can increase hemoglobin levels and create falsely high A1c results.

The “normal” range for A1c for most labs is between 4% and 6%. (A1c is expressed in percentage terms because it’s measuring the percentage of hemoglobin that is bonded to sugar.) Most often I see 5.7% as the cutoff used.

In the next article we’ll put these “normal” levels under the microscope and see how they hold up.

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332 Comments

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  1. Hi Doc,

    Just got a blood glucose meter and got the following readings:

    Day 1
    103 9 hour fasting glucose
    101 10:15 hour fasting glucose
    106 1 hour post meal (eggs, coconut oil, 2 bananas, apple
    cider vinegar)
    94 2 hour post meal

    97 3 hour post meal with 47 minute dog walk + 11 minute jog
    89 4.5 hour post meal – feeling absolutely ravenous!

    Day 2
    97 9.5 hour fast

    Day 3
    96 10 hour fast

    Seems like fasting levels are high but trending lower. Would be lower if I could fast 12 hours but I would be so hungry and miserable, I would gorge!

    Seems like a very minimal impact to post meal blood sugar which could be attributed to vigorous exercise multiple times weekly and possibly been using apple cider vinegar almost daily for about 1.5 years.

    I welcome your feedback?

    Thanks much!

    Patrick

    • Your comment relative to fasting 12 hours makes it appear that you expect your BG to continue falling the longer you fast. That would not be the case. A healthy body maintains a constant amount of sugar in the blood which rises shortly after consuming carbs, peaks roughly an hour later, and has returned to where it started 2 to 3 hours later. The numbers you have given fall right in line with that normal pattern.

      • Also, remember that your meter readings are only accurate to within plus or minus 15 percent. In other words all your readings from 89 to 106 represent a single level.

        • Kurt,

          Not all blood glucose monitors have that much variance in the readings. I chose mine based on the research here:

          https://www.diabetestechnology.org/surveillance.shtml

          My unit is within +/- 5% 67% of the time.

          I could definitely feel the difference in the readings even the 2 point difference in the 75 minutes between readings on the first day and a massive difference when it registered 89 later that same day.

          • Patrick.
            I understand that you ‘feel’ a 2 point difference in your BG but you can’t.
            A person is not able to ‘feel’ this minuscule difference no matter what you may think. If it were true we would not need meters or test strips.
            If I am not wrong your readings were well within normal range so I’m wondering why you are concerned?
            I could be wrong and or have you mixed up with another ‘Patrick’ but if you are the person with readings from the 80’s to the upper teens that I read, then someone has not informed you correctly about your readings. Your A1c’s should also support this if the BG readings I am referencing are correct.
            People get all riled up about BG readings. They are the least important in terms of the many tests you can take. They are a good guideline, but a dozen things can make BG readings go up or down including many diseases.
            I hope you are not sitting there worried about this because I saw nothing in your numbers that would startle anyone.
            Yet I remain incorrect if I am speaking to the wrong Patrick.
            CYa

        • Patrick,
          I did not mean to imply that your meter is off. As you will see above I was talking about your READINGS and they can be off for many reasons besides the meter; test strips, which can vary from lot to lot and even within a lot, state of hydration, hemocrit level, what and how recently one has eaten, and many other factors can effect readings including technique. I have gotten high readings, and immediately retesting gotten numbers 40, 50 points lower. This is easily explained by faulty procedure on my part. The greater point I was trying to make was to remind everyone not to consider their readings as exact numbers as if they were God’s own truth. Home meters are not laboratory instruments and all the readings they give are at best estimates.

          I don’t think any of us expects tools like meters to be 100% accurate 100% of the time. Even the top rated meter in the study you cited (and thank you for bringing it to everyone’s attention) the Bayer Contour Next is only consideted accurate to +/-20% 100% of the time according to it’s User Guide. That’s the standard and that’s what all meters claim though many think most perform better, and that, or the opposite, was the point of the study. You said your meter is accurate to +/-5% 67% of the time. So, of the 8 readings you shared with us, which 2 or 3 might be off by MORE than 5%? If the 106 reading was high maybe the true level was close to 101, or if 89 was low maybe BG was 93? Staying within 5% accuracy 103 could really be 98. If over 3 days I had fasting BG readings of 101, 97 and 96 I would describe my fasting blood glucose levels “constant” or “stable.”

          Here’s an experiment that can help you get a feel for the accuracy of your readings. 10 times over the next several days get a reading from a finger stick and your meter like normal, but each time within 30 seconds and with a new test strip get a second reading from the SAME sample/drop of blood, or at least from the same finger stick. Sometimes both readings will be the same, but most of the time the numbers will differ by from 2 to 10 or more. Some of mine have been 115/113, 163/157, 166/166, 88/84, 111/106, 80/73, 210/211, 136/143.

          Wearing a CGM has taught me that exercise can cause my BG to fall either gradually or while jumping around wildly. Dawn Phenomenon may keep my BG high most of the night or for just a half an hour. While snacking on peanuts in front of the TV it will sometimes rise, other times fall. It takes time to metabolize carbs, time for insulin to respond, and time to circulate it all through the body through the blood. Your BG is not at the same concentration throughout your whole body at any given moment. Even a reading from a lab is just an approximation of what is truly happening in your blood chemistry. That’s why measurements that don’t fluctuate quickly, like HbA1c, often yield a broader view of your state of health.

          Being able to “feel” a 2 mg/dL change, especially over an hour, would be phenomenal, rarer than being able to feel a 2 mmHg rise in blood pressure. The hunger sensation is a result of gastric function. I have felt uncomfortably sate at 65 and I have felt ravenous with a BG over 500. Not unusual however would be feeling the EFFECTS of a change in BG level: adrenal rush when falling, dehydration or full bladder when high. If hypoglycemia comes on gradually, BG — at least at the finger stick — may, by the time it is felt, fall lower than the BG level from it coming on quickly. I don’t doubt that you “felt differently” and that you correlated that in your mind with what your new meter was showing you, but please remember that BG levels fluctuate much more rapidly than most people expect or understand and any meter’s reading is just an approximation of what is really happening.

  2. Doc,

    Can your veggie + meat stew include any legumes (beans, peas, lentils)?

    What about an egg + veggie omelette?

    Thanks!

    Patrick

    • Patrick,
      Just live by one rule for 30 days. It’s really simple and you will never go hungry.

      You can put anything in it that is low in carbs which means so low it’s not important, or, better yet no carbs. Anyone can live with 100 grams or less carbs a day. This should be your goal.

      If you are stringent with this 30 day meal you can just imagine how many different veggies there are out there. And beans, well kidney beans are called that for a reason, they are good for your kidneys and your BG. Just research which beans you choose. The vary much in carbs.

      It’s not something you have to do all your life.

      It’s just a simple way to prove something to yourself regarding your BG and if/how you can control it.

      But, if you just do it one time for 30 days, seriously, with no bread of any kind, no crackers of any kind, no potato’s, very little corn, no rice no nothing that has carbs in it (and remember even if you eat a all veggie/protein meal, your are still going to get some carbs anyway) you will see a dramatic change.

      If you do not see an immediate change in 7 days, then you can look back and remember the times you ‘cheated’ which is a very poor use of labels since cheating is not something we do in reality. We just have cravings and they are natural.

      It simply works. Don’t load up on meats/protein because protein can also contribute to higher BG if you are not active.

      Take your BG reading any day to start this plan and take it the same time every day for 30 days.

      Eat till your heart is content. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 times a day or more and you’ll never be hungry and your BG will go down.

      You can even make a crisp spinach salad with all the veggies you might want and use some ‘hard’ grated cheese and a vinaigrette dressing. No ranch or blue cheese types.

      It gets old if you have little control so learn to use a variety of veggies. It’s important for the meal to be flavorful and variations help a lot. Ever had yellow squash fried and covered in butter? Tastes great!

      At the end of your 30 days, if this has really helped you as it should, go out and eat one big old bad meal!
      Then get back on the wagon for 30 more days.

      Alcohol is not your enemy with high BG but don’t become an alcoholic and remember beer is loaded with carbs. Choose wine if at all possible but again check the carbs and don’t become an alcoholic!lol

      CYa

    • I forgot.

      A veggie omelette is a great breakfast lunch or dinner or even a snack!
      Just no toast or other carbs.

  3. I was on Metformin for PCOS.. One doc says I have PCOS another says I am just insulin resistance!

    I can eat a hand full of fries and gain 5lbs! My body doesn’t do well with carbs! My glucose levels were fine not being on my metformin for 7months.. I am confused if I should be taking it or not?! I don’t wanna put meds in my body if I don’t have to but if need be I will! HELP!

  4. Doc,
    I have a question, for the most part I have lost 30 lbs..5’21/2″ have to have that 1/2″..haha.. I am 50 and weigh at 146, my goat is to get to 135..I am for the most part eating good..I have cut out most carbs..i still eat potatoes..i was raised with a country cooking Momma..with that being said, I was told I was pre-diabetic..I have a problem with medications, I don’t metabolize properly, Metformin was making me sick and raising my glucose in the evening..My fasting in the morning is never over 130..most of the time 120-124.. during the day in the 88-115 range mostly 94-96..I am trying the intermintent fasting about 12-15, I am so tired all the time. I have low Vitamin D and take estradiol and progesterone..I am on a C-pap. I am experiencing major anxiety..I am confused. I do have an occasional ice cream around 7:30 pm with my hubs. I am a weekend drinker..I may drink low carb beer or have a couple glasses of wine or a vodka drink or two of some kind..that pretty much sums it up.. I walk about 4 times a week 3miles and do at least one day of yoga and one day of Zumba..sometimes light weights at the gym.. I am worried that I can not get my fasting over night blood sugar down.. Help…

    • Becky,
      Here it is in a nut shell and it’s pretty easy to do but we are humans and we will shoot ourselves in the foot before anyone else, any medication, any illness will.
      This is the plan and if you cannot do this for 30 days then there is no hope for you unless you want to take meds.
      First of all one’s health is not a number on it’s own. Having A1c’s a little too high if one is active and healthy feeling is not an issue.
      Having high A1c’s in a sedentary lifestyle is a problem.
      If you can, follow this diet for one month.
      Eat all you want of it without exception.

      All the raw vegetables you’d like but no ranch dressing or other dipping sauces, but spices are okay.
      All steamed vegetables and go ahead and use some real butter and spices.
      All the chicken or turkey you’d like just don’t deep fry it or batter it. You can leave the skin on it, it won’t be an issue.

      That’s it. That is how simple it is. Eat all you want anytime you want. Every time you eat something not in the above items you shoot yourself in the foot, your fault, not mine.

      There are so many great veggies out there that you will never be bored!

      I tell people to stay away from fruit except for a banana a day because no matter what anyone might say, even with fruit, too much is a bad thing. Our bodies need a balance.

      After 30 days, assuming you took your readings on day one before the diet started, take your readings again and you should be surprised.

      There is one caveat to this. You have to get out in the sun and exercise. Not indoors. Outside in the sun. All you have to do is briskly walk for an hour a day during the week and 2 hours a day on Sat/Sun. Break a sweat! Come home dripping, that’s okay and is in fact what you want to do.

      I promise, without exception, that this will indeed work.

      I put veggies and meat in a crock pot and make a gallon of it all at once and then just eat my fill and then put the rest in a container in the fridge. When it’s empty I make a new batch.

      I never eat bread or any potato or any carb at all during this 30 day stretch because if I am really hungry I can have a bowl of stew. If I am not really hungry then the desire for carbs is just in my head, as it is in yours.

      I’m from Texas, big old country boy, construction company owner, bench pressing 235 at age 58, 150 curls in each arm with 35 pound hand bells, 350 crunches per week. I got a super bug called KPC and after 9 months of it my blood work went to hell on me and my bg went up to 200. With this diet I have had days where my bg is 81 to 115 but I still stay away from carbs.
      Wish you the best. You can do it!
      Cya
      Doc

    • I forgot, Becky, feel free to enjoy your alcoholic beverages just stay away from beer. A good wine or mixed drink with non sugar mixers is okay.
      You numbers are not anything I’d worry about actually.
      If you can cut out the carbs, get out and walk and enjoy your wine in 30 days you’ll see a marked difference but remember your numbers are not bad and you should not feel as if they are.
      For your vitamin D, if you will sit facing the sun for 15 minutes with your palms open and up also facing the sun every day your Vitamin D will return unless you have a specific issue with Vitamin D. It’s a very important vitamin. Keep your eyes closed or wear sunglasses!

  5. Hi have lowered my bg drastically over to weeks to 5-5.5. Getting like withdrawal symptoms and feeling very weak. Is this normal? How long does it take for body to adjust?

    • 5 to 5.5 is not BG readings. This may be AC1 readings.
      I’m not certain I understand these numbers.
      A person cannot usually take their own AC1 readings and if this is your BG readings then you would have already expired.

      Explain please?

      • 5.0 and 5.5 ARE blood glucose reading IF the the units of the measurement are mmol/L. If I remember correctly the conversion is 18 to 1, or 90 and 99mg/dL respectively.

        • The way his post was stated they did not seem to be his intention in my opinion.
          I understand A1c numbers. I can’t find the post I was referring to but will look further.
          Did not mean to cloudy up the water.
          CYa

        • Found what confused me in the post Chris.

          Stated: “Hi have lowered my bg drastically over to weeks to 5-5.5. Getting like withdrawal symptoms and feeling very weak. Is this normal? How long does it take for body to adjust?”

          I don’t know of any meter that gives A1c readings.
          And A1c readings are different from standard daily BG readings.

          Mine gives me actual BG readings, not A1c and conversions are no good unless it’s a true A1c test in my opinion and even then A1c tests are suspect.

          I could be wrong but if there is a meter that gives A1c readings I’d like to have one.

          If someones BG was 5 or 5.5 they’d be deceased.

          If you get under 80 you are in trouble and may be headed for Hypoglycemia is that not correct? So 5 or 5.5 would be deadly.

          People need to post BG in BG terms and A1c in A1c terms.

          • Depending on the country you live in, the normal way to measure blood glucose is on a scale where the normal value is around 100, or on a scale where the normal value is around 5. In Canada, Britain, or Germany, your blood glucose meter will show values fluctuating from around 2 to 10, but if you live in the United States, your meter will show values from around 40 to 200.

            I think people are confused because in the United States, the scale where 5 is normal is only used for A1c recordings, which is essentially the average glucose over the time it takes the red blood cells to cycle through, or about three months. In other countries there is no difference between the blood glucose scales used for everyday values and for A1c values.

            A1c differs from normal blood sugar measures in that it represents a three month average, except on a scale where the number 5 represents normal rather than on a scale where 100 represents normal. Both A1c and the 100-scale are blood sugar measures.

            • Oscar is precisely correct. In the U.S. blood glucose concentrations are measured in milligrams per decileter or mg/dL. In countries using SI (most of the world) BG is measured in millimoles per Liter or mmol/L. The reason A1c is the same everywhere is because it is expressed as a percent. (Percents are a ratio of a subset to a larger set — all “things” in the sets being the same but perhaps of different type, hence the subset — and are therefore unitless, also called dimensionless. In the case of A1c the ratio is glyconated hemoglobin cells per all hemoglobin cells.)

        • That is exactly right. Everywhere in the world except for the United States, blood sugar is measured in terms the new unit system, in which a 5 is normal. 10 is about the highest patients will ever see, and 2 is about the lowest patients can stand before they are unconscious. They are just the A1c values applied to everyday life, and they are the numbers that appear on glucometers.

          Only the U.S. still uses the scale on which 100 to 120 counts as normal glucose.

    • What other symptoms are you experiencing? Weakness is not typically a symptom or result of lower glucose in the blood particularly at the level you describe. Weakness can however be a result of diet in other ways, for example iron deficiency. What have you changed to lower your BG?

  6. for me the worse thing i can eat is a lettuce salad with tomato cuc and onion its makes my bgl go up to 200 yet if i eat a steak and a baked sweet potato it only goes up to about 120 i was diagnosed with type 2 db two months ago blood sugar level was 500 i dropped carbs basically but not all i make things like lasagna using eggplant for noodles eat small flavored rice cakes low sugar fruit no sugar cereals sugar free instant pudding coconut milk makes it thicken i take 100 mg invokana a day and 850 mg metformin my blood sugar goes as low as 80 and depending on what i eat can go as high as 180 but comes back down my normal is 100-120 in two months dropping the sugars ive lost 60 pounds

  7. I have been a type 1 diabetic for 55 years. The only way I can maintain blood sugar control is by eating exactly the same meal every time I eat, keeping my activity level the same every day, and taking exactly the same insulin doses at exactly the same time every day. I have been doing this now for the last 12 years.

    But last week, within the course of a few days, my insulin requirements went up suddenly by 50%, even though there was absolutely no change in my daily regimen. My doctor has determined that I have no infection, and my temperature has been normal throughout this period. I think this just confirms what I know from more than half a century of everyday experience with type 1 diabetes: blood sugar fluctuations are caused by many factors that endocrinologists have absolutely no understanding of, which cannot be measured, and which account for most of the blame irrationally imposed on patients for not controlling their diabetes.

    • Hear, hear!

      Oscar, you may find this interesting: we are both of approximately the same age, but I have only been T1 for a year and a half. Not even prediabetic before that.

  8. Hi Chris,
    Five years ago I was told that i was pre-diabetic because my HbA1c was 5.7 . I refused to take medication,and started to watch my diet. In general I don’t eat rice or breads or pasta. I don’t eat a too much sugary fruits neither. So my HbA1c has been staying at 5.6 to 5.8. I check my glucose frequently. My one hour after meal ( vegetables and meat) glucose is around 130 and it go back to 100 in two hours. Somehow , although the time I go to bed the glucose is 86 , but I wake up glucose is around 99, which means I have dawn phenomenon. But recently, a strange thing happened to me. I experience dizziness, heart pounding after eating two eggs in the morning. My glucose will drop from 99 to 75 within one hour . If I eat a small piece of cake , like thumb size, I will experience rebound . My glucose will go up to 130 within 20 minutes. And come back to 115 in one hour . And it will stay on 115 to 120 for a long time. I don’t eat after 6pm. So the time I go to bed is around 12 pm. My BG is around 85. I am very confused. Any suggestions or explanations?

  9. I think the whole point of the article is to find out what YOUR “normal” is and not compare yourself to everyone else. You know your body better than anyone else. That being said, your body is your responsibility and no one else’s. If the doc says to exercise and you decide not to, that’s on you. If the doc wants to put you on meds, research it. But don’t just look at pharmaceutical websites for the answers. Read what “real” people have to say about that medication. A “normal” plan of action may not be the RIGHT plan of action for you.

    I am T2D and am on one oral pill and one insulin injection a day. Is that “normal”? Not necessarily for the “normal” person, but it is the right plan of action for me given my allergies to certain types medications. One of those allergies being to Sulpha drugs so it knocks out an entire class of diabetic medications for me that is “normal” for other people.

    Find the right doctor, an excellent nutritionist and surround yourself with positive supporters. Above all, be truthful with yourself even when you don’t like what your support team says.

  10. Question for the group. My A1C went from 5.2 5 years ago to 5.7 at last test. Fasting Blood Glucose was 84. My 80 year old mom has a 6.5 a1c and her sister had T2D. So I read these articles and gave myself a post meal test. The results were alarming to me. Please let me know what you think:

    Turkey sandwhich 66g carbs + 10G of sugar from a drink:
    45 minute test results: 171 (yikes!)
    75 minutes: 153
    2 hour test: 105
    @ 5 hours: 87

    • In reality nothing wrong with those numbers at all.
      Returning to an 80’s range is superb.
      Had it not returned to that range, had it remained in the 150’s or 140’s you’d be a pDB possibility.
      Remember, one day does not make you one and one good day does not cure the disease.
      It’s a lifetime of responsible eating and exercise.
      Don’t worry about it.
      Your mother was very borderline in her numbers.
      I’d like to have seen her numbers over a 3 month period of daily bg tests.

      • Thanks for the input. That is refreshing to hear. I’ll keep tabs on the glucose. If anything continues or pops up I’ll repost with an update as other readers may be in a similar situation or non-situation.

  11. Hi,

    My Fasting blood sugar level was 142, however around 40 mins after a meal the level went up to 161. I am on antidepressant pills ( for the fist time ) for the past week and antibiotics ( for a gut infection) for the past 2 weeks ++

    Is this a cause of concern and shall I consult doctors.

    • I am certain there are those that believe everything the AMA and other medical establishments say and believe it to be Gods word. That’s fine, I respect your beliefs.
      However, medical professionals licensed to ‘practice’ medicine. “Practice” is the go to word here.
      The do not cure diseases. They’d like to but it’s just not the norm although sometimes they can and do.
      My hat is off to those doctors and nurses that care in an honest and loving way for the ill.
      After saying that, I’d like to premise my statement by saying there is no better preventative medicine than being good health. Good health is the kicker.
      What’s good or bad for one person is not necessarily good or bad for another.
      What may trigger diabetes in one person may never affect a different person.
      That does not mean one should not take care of themselves yet it also does not mean that if you have a fasting BG of 125 to 140 you are going to die of diabetic related problems.
      Same thing with those perfectly healthy. They can still get hit by a bus or a bolt of lightening or just simply die for no reason at all. It happens all the time.
      My advice is simple.
      Live a good life. Good as in quality of life. Eat well and exercise no matter when you may make this decision.
      Love every day as if it were your last one because one day it will be your last one so don’t wast them.
      We all die. It’s the last part of life for us all. No one wants to die for some reason or another, most because it’s an unknown and to many it’s scary. But if everyone died perfectly healthy it would be very strange.
      Our bodies are meant to finally fizzle out.
      Living a bad lifestyle and causing that fizzle out to come earlier than it could have is not what I call living a quality life.
      So, don’t fret or worry about everything you are told. Don’t ignore everything you are told either. Take them all with a grain of salt. You are going to live ‘x’ years and you can’t change that. So why not try living the most quality of a life as you can by eating healthy, exercising daily, loving your family and friends and for those of you that believe, be open to meeting your creator. To those that don’t believe, then it does not matter how long you live nor how well or poorly you live because for you there is nothing left after this existence and I respect your beliefs.
      Enjoy life. Some of us may not even be here next month!?
      CYa
      my best

      • LOVE what you had to say! I temporarily stressed out over my Dr saying I was pre diabetic even though I am 56 and have maintained my weight my whole life (125 lbs), eat very well and exercise regularly. Your comments grounded me because yes, we are all going to die and meet our beloved creator but in the mean time, all we can do is the best we can do and leave the rest up to God. THANKS!!!

        • If it helps great. We take life too seriously. Be happy. Be good. Try to do what is right
          I wish you great happiness and success.
          Give those you love a hug every day. One never knows when it will be your last.
          CYa

        • I was prediabetic for a long time (2008-2016) and was NEVER overweight in my entire life…UNTIL the disease worsened. I was “skinny fat”…At 5 ft. 6 inches, I never went over 135-140 pounds. Skinny fat means that I wore a size 8-10 pants, but still had too much visceral fat on my liver and pancreas. That sets insulin resistance in motion, and it continues getting worse unless changes are made. I had a totally normal BMI status until the year before the diagnosis–then I packed on the pounds, even though I was not overeating, or eating junk. I was considered “slightly overweight” when I was diagnose. My BMI just over the normal boarder. Some people just cannot safely carry fat around the middle–not even a little bit.

          Insulin resistance makes it pretty hard to burn fat and then weight gain sets in. It’s part of the disease progression. The disease continued worsening because of my genetics and the fact that I was not eating properly for someone that was insulin resistant. I was eating lots of fruit and raw almonds. I also ate brown grains, brown rice, and very little bread; but I did eat crackers and breakfast cereals. I gave up juice, refined sugar, junk food, and sweetened yogurts years ago–so I thought I was doing the right things to protect my health. I was “active” but not athletic. I overworked and spent too much time in my car commuting. But I had a job where I was on my feet a lot; so, I thought I was okay…but I wasn’t. I was still prediabetic.

          As a diabetic, I cannot eat a lot of fruit or ANY grains since my glucose processing machinery is all messed up…Prediabetics ALSO have impaired glucose metabolism…I was too complacent and my doctor was not urgent enough in helping me understand that I was about to fall off of a cliff health-wise….As a prediabetic, my doctor should have urged me to monitor my blood glucose at home and aim for foods that did not unduly elevate my blood sugar. Normal fasting numbers are below 85 mg/dl and truly normal postprandial numbers are well below 120 mg/dl two hours after a meal. I had the power to check these things and I made excuses because I thought my diet was good, and I was too busy with work, kids, commute, etc…

          When my doctor told me that I was “prediabetic”, I wish that I had learned more about how to reverse the disease because having diabetes SUCKS…It’s manageable, but it’s not fun having to worry about how every scrap of food might impact my blood glucose levels.

          I was diagnosed 8 months ago at the age of 50 years old. I have been able to control the disease through diet (very low carb and high fat). I also exercise everyday. At minimum I put 10,000 steps daily (without fail) on my Fit Bit…it’s actually pretty easy to do that (and I purchased a standing desk for work). I also lift light weights about 2 times per week and do full cardio routine for 30 minutes 3-4 times weekly, which helps me get my 10,000 steps faster on cardio days.

          I urge you to learn what you need to know to get your blood glucose levels back to NORMAL (A1C less than 5.3) while you still can. It’s actually NOT that hard to do. With the right diet and moderate exercise, blood glucose could go back into normal ranges within days, to weeks depending on how much visceral fat one has. My levels dropped from fasting value of 150 mg/dl in days just by cutting out the carbohydrates. Fasting numbers were around 100 mg/dl one-two days after I ditched the carbs. It took exercise and implementation of the low-carb high fat diet to get the fasting numbers into the 80s-low 90s range. I now can tell if I don’t lift weights enough (2 days weekly works for me) or I cheat a little with carbs because the fasting numbers to back into the high 90s-low 100s. I can fix that pretty quickly by being sticking to my strict routine….

          Yes, we’re all going to die of something, but God helps those who help themselves. I wish that I had the knowledge that I have now BEFORE I became diabetic. It’s pretty easy to turn around prediabetes with dietary changes and exercise. There is TONS of information online of how to do this…Your doctor will not tell you how. Please, for the sake or your health, well-being, and longevity, I hope that you will look into it. You can do it…

          I take no drugs for any health issues and have successfully learned to manage diabetes with diet/exercise. My last A1C was near normal 5.7. My fasting glucose values are normal, as are my post postprandial levels. I lost 53 pounds and am now 125 pounds; what I weighted when I left the US Navy nearly 30 years ago…And I feel great…even though I have to watch what I eat like my life depends on it…because it does. Better to turn around while the body still can…Good luck and be well….

          • Thanks for sharing this. You inspired me to work on my pre-diabetes before it’s too late! 😘

            • Glad to hear it Patricia. I just had a check up yesterday. My A1C is currently 5.8; a bit higher than I would like, but well below the 7.7 that it was just one year ago. The ketogenic diet and regular exercise has saved my life. I highly encourage you to do what ever you can to avoid developing overt diabetes. It’s really a burden. See dietdoctor.com and Dr. Jason Fung’s work on fasting. Good luck to you!

          • Some of your story could be mine Not tackling it as a prediabetic Nevermind the reason.Ive still got more weight to lose and making exercise a regular daily event but got my HbA1c down to 42 from 51 in under 3 months

    • Hi” I went thru the same complacation.I was on 2mg glimipride once aday never had any problems with my B/C level until I was put on Levofloacin for chest congestion and then my sugar went crazy.I called doc and he raised my meds.to 4mg once aday no help whatsoever even my vision got worse going out in sun.So now I have been put on metformin along with my regular meds.so that is where I stand for my treatment.But the doctor said there are two things to do to cut out two meds. Is eat right and walk hard…Good luck

      • You hit an area that most doctors don’t realize exists.

        I volunteered for old folks and caught KPC from them.
        Old school super bug. Read up on it, you’ll be shocked.

        After 5 doctors and 6 months of different diagnosis and different AB’s my internist figured it out in 3 day. Took 9 months to get a clean bill of health from him.

        He gave me the same AB that people get with Anthrax and the Plague. Could only get two rounds of it. They don’t allow any more.

        My BG went up to over 200. I was very active. 9 to 18 holes of golf, walking two to 4 times a month plus my volunteering.

        All during the 12 or so months prior to getting this AB my bg was fine, then wham it went up while taking this AB.

        Under control now by eating and exercise but it’s amazing how big pharma can screw up a body’s system sometimes along with killing off an infection.

        Wish you the best.

        Eat right and for gods sake exercise. Nothing fancy just walk or trot if you can. I found stairs are the quickest and they are all over the place to be found.
        CYa
        Doc

      • Hello L&L mom,

        Thank you for giving such a detail account of tackling diabetes without medication. I am in similar boat and would like to ask you few more things. Would it be possible to pm you? Thank you.

    • You really need to consult your pediatrician.
      A little one with a growing building immune system needs all the help it can get while developing this immune system and building it’s own body up.
      I don’t believe BG has anything to do with it.
      Get a doctor involved.
      CYa

  12. I had a fasting glucose a little over a year ago of around 70. I am now experiencing some symptoms of diabetes. Is it possible to develop diabetes that quickly?

    • First there is no normal for everyone.
      Same thing for what is called the normal temperature of a person.
      It is stated to be 98.6 but few know that it came about by taking the temp of 100 healthy persons and gaining an average.
      So there is no normal across the board.
      There may be a normal for an individual but that’s it.
      A person can live all their lives healthy with low or high BG and never miss a step or have a bad day due to it. Just depends on their own metab and how their body works.
      I have seen 2 pack a day smokers live to 86 and still jogging to be found dead in bed one morning from natural causes.
      I have seen little children that never get to their 6th birthday and die of cancer that have never smoked or taken any drugs.
      There is no normal for the entirety of humanity.
      What is normal for a person is merely what is normal for that person and if a person with a fasting BG of 81 or 130 eats healthy, exercises, lives a good life without the bad’s of smoking and such they can live to the same ‘average’ age as anyone else.
      The object of this disease is to not feed it. So if one simply ate well 100% of the time and got 30 minutes of exercise every day they’d be doing all that they can to live as long as they might possibly live.
      Yet, they could still be shot in a robbery, killed on an icy road, mauled by a bear or hit by a bus.
      So instead of worrying as much about how long one might live since we all have an expiration date, work on living as well as you can and simply hope for the best.
      Besides who wants to be known to have died ‘Perfectly Healthy’? (just a joke here)

      • Hi doc I was on statins for 3years ,than last year around this time I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes , my legs were hurting feet numb a painfull so doc did a fasting and A1C ,fast 145,A1C 7.0 , my fasting during my yearly physicals slowly were going up from 98 to 109 116 118,then bam 145 ,doctor said you have diabetes ,put me on metformin Er 2000 mgs a day,@ year latter drop 23lbs ,I am now 6ft 194 lbs ,also while on statins he never checked my Ck or my CoQ10 which should have been checked while I was on statins,my legs and feet still hurt and full of neruopathy
        I have done every test can you help!!!

            • But my feet are still full of neruopathy,could it be from taking statins for 3 years ,I have had every test tried every thing to help it get better ,it’s been a year some days it’s feels great then the next morning it’s bec,Iplease help

                • Why are some days I feel real good ,does neruopathy come and go like that! Could I not be on enough metformin,I take 2 500mg ER in the am and 2 in the pm total of 2000mg of metformin ER

                • Start tomorrow if you really want to know.
                  Write down every mouthful of ‘whatever it is you eat or drink’ and keep exact records of when you feel good or bad.
                  Track your sleep as well. If you don’t sleep well, you won’t feel well. If you don’t eat well you might not feel well.
                  Neuropathy does not necessarily come and go although you can have good and bad days.
                  Generally when damage is done it is permanent in most cases that are not caught early.
                  Metformin does not treat neuropathy as far as I know.
                  The metformin can be tossed if you’ll go on a strictly veggy and meats crock-pot diet for 30 days. You can eat all you want but it’s all you can eat for 30 days.
                  Drink water/coffee/tea and nothing else.
                  No sugar/sugars and no carbs (but in reality you’ll be getting some via the crock pot meals).
                  What’s wrong with eating 3 to 6 times a day healthily?
                  You can never go hungry.
                  Sorry you feel bad at times.
                  Cya

        • I can promise you this.
          If you eat Crock-Pot veggies with meat for one month you will see in one week a huge difference
          In 30 days you will be amazed.
          All you get to eat is this Crock-Pot stew
          Nothing else. Eat all you want. Exercise daily if only walking.
          Get back with me. I would like to see how it goes.

          • Doc,
            I need help. I tried for 2 years to lose weight and control my blood pressure. I have a considerable amount to lose. I lost over 40 lbs in that time frame. I was walking every day (still do most days when my back isn’t killing me) My BG always hovered around 95-110. My blood pressure kept going up. I don’t like to even take meds- not even Tylenol, but ended up on a low dose beta blocker (which works fabulously).. but it set loose the fat kid in the candy shoppe. I had only been eating foods very rich in potassium (mainly potatoes, veggies and low sodium homemade turkey meatballs) and very very low salt – for years. I figured out in no time that I could eat ” normally” again. Pizza. Bad foods. Gained it all back plus some. I am afraid of going back to my Dr (ND) cause I messed everything up. I take D,C, Tumeric, fish oil, and Bs. Daily. I want to try your stew diet, can I get more info? Please? Thank you… (my cholesterol and such were fine last year, slightly elevated A1c, and my liver is a little fatty. But my panel wasn’t too bad for a fat woman of 48 years… thank you

              • If your BG is 117-122 you have little problems.
                Assume spikes happen as well.
                Your walking and diet seem to be good for you.
                The crock pot diet works without fail if you really do it.
                Crock pot veggies and meat but no potato’s or rice or pasta.
                Eat it all you want but no carbs.
                Iced tea, no sugar; water, coffee no sugar/cream.
                Give it 30 days and see what happens.
                Just don’t cheat on it. Give it 30 days.
                You can eat this 5 or 6 times a day if you want.
                I use okra, tomato’s, three bean mix, succotash and chicken or pork or beef.

                • Thank you for your response! I followed your stew recipe I found online and made a full crockpot last night. My only concession today was my coffee this morning but I do try to ease into low-carb because it’s uncomfortable the first few days. All in tomorrow (and today is going great, coffee aside) I put the nutritional information into my fitness pal And was pleasantly surprised that it has ample potassium!! That is one thing that I have problems with – if I don’t get enough I have bad PVs. Heart gets in funky rhythms and freaks me out. What do you do about funky breath? I don’t know if this will throw me into ketosis, but I work closely with people and usually use mints… silly question – but I don’t want to fail OR knock anyone out. Thanks!!

                • brush your teeth 5 to 6 times a day and if that does not do it then a dentist may show that you have one of those common issues that a dry mouth may be the cause. Drink water.
                  Coffee is great for you but no sugar and no creamer. Same for iced tea, no sugar.

                • Doc,
                  Thank you so much for the guidance. I haven’t been perfect, (I eased into this with a few crackers with my soup, gradually cutting my carbs out). I have used Stevia a bit here and there – but I have to say within 3 days of eating my stew (I have done beef and turkey meatball so far) my BG is down from 122 to 102. Even with my crackers. Feel better, not achy, more awake, more alert – back isn’t hurting so bad. I’ve lost 5 lbs. and I am looking forward to losing a lot more. Thank you.

                • Thanks for your reply and your stats. It helps others understand how a simple crock pot diet can change your numbers in a week or two.
                  122 is not a bad number depending on when it is taken, Fasting or 2-4 hours After a Meal. Stay away from the crackers, bread, rice, pasta, etc whenever you can; you get enough carbs from the stew. I know it’s hard. But if you think you need more intake, just eat more stew. Your body will soon be satisfied and learn the new diet floor plan.
                  If you can live strictly for 6 days a week, you can take one day and enjoy a single meal of most anything you’d like and then get back on the crock pot stew. And it’s healthy.

                  Your results will help others believe and give it a try.
                  Thanks much.

    • Since you didn’t mention any of your recent symptoms it’s hard to say if those are part of a “quick development” of diabetes. Still, one thing is certain and that is that prediabetes (generally) CAN be reversed that quickly. So what, are you going to wait for a diagnosis before you make any changes?

  13. My wife had a near 7% a1c reading around three months back.
    Doctor advised me to ensure that my wife follows a strict diet and prescribed fairly high dosage of metformin.
    We discussed the matter at home and decided to find out the food which results in sugar reading spikes. We commenced doing random checking before and after eating any food.

    We found that rice in any form has been creating the spike. Unfortunately we are vegetarians and our main staple food is rice in various forms . I.e breakfast, lunch and dinner.

    Hence reluctantly my wife cut down the rice intake to 33% of her normal intake and started consuming wheat based diet though in lesser quantities.

    Now she is loosing weight and we also find that she feels slightly giddy now and then.

    Can you kindly advice on what we should do.

    • Your wife may find that some types of rice create faster of higher spikes of her blood glucose. Learn about the glycemic index of food (and different types of rice) and maybe she won’t have to “give it up” as much as “change it up.” Be sure to understand the difference between Glycemic Index and Glycemic LOAD.

      • This is so simple it blows my mind when people just don’t understand how simple it is.
        You just do not eat any rice/bread/pasta/potato’s or any other known food that is high in carbs.
        This is not brain surgery.
        If some one cannot stay away from harmful carbs then it’s because they do not want to and there is no other reason to be given.
        There are so many veggies and meats and eggs and such that a person that says they don’t have choices enough to make them happy eaters are just ‘cheaters’.
        There are ample carbs in all the other foods if one eliminates the top 10 carb foods out there.

        I went from a high of 215 or so to as low as 81 in a fasting BG test. And all I did was say to myself that I wanted to live a long healthy happy life and enjoy my days here with my kids and grand kids.
        Once I said this was my goal I have never looked back.

        Yesterday I ate a double meat burger with lots of lettuce, bunches of onions, lots of tomato’s and hoards of pickles!
        I took the top bun off and then placed the burger on a plate and ate it by cutting a piece of it like one would with a steak.

        I was so stuffed by the end that I was uncomfortable!

        Anyone can do it.
        You just have to figure out what your health is worth and that’s it.
        CYa
        my best.

        • You are ridiculously misimformed regarding both carbs and red meats. As a Registered Nurse, I advise you to learn about glycemic index when it comes to foods with carbs before giving advice to anyone. Carbs does not = bad. And to eat red meat until you are uncomfortable, that is quite unhealthy as well. Not to mention the vegetables and fruit (tomatoes) you mentioned have VERY VERY little nutritional value. Educate yourself before giving medical advice. And lose the holier than thou attitude you developed from losing the weight.

          • OMG. Did you REALLY just tell people AS A NURSE that fruits and vegetables have NO nutritional value?

            Please stop posting.

            • She said tomatoes, lettuce and onions, she meant the stuff the lady put on her burger idiot. Tomatoes have little to no nutrition and have high levels of sugar, pickles have 0 calories 0 fiber etc and loads of sodium, onions also have natural sugars that can metabolize in the body. Maybe you should stop posting and quit being an idiot.

          • Kim you over simplify my statements.
            And incorrectly I might add.
            I, on my own, will guarantee you, and you can ask your doctor and any nutritionist the following.
            If one were to cook up a crock pot of vegetables, 5 types of veggies (no potato’s and no sweet corn) in each crock pot, plus some meat (chicken/turkey/beef/pork/fish) to add to the bowl of stew (that’s what I call it, stew) they do not need any other intake of foods for 30 days to make a huge improvement in their BG.
            I make each crock pot different every time. It’s great food, great for you but you have to ‘want’ to do it and you have to ‘want’ to live healthy. You cannot ‘want’ to each unhealthy crap as a diabetic or pre diabetic.
            A person does not need to eat rice, bread, and or other carbs because with this crock pot stew one will get all the carbs they need for the 30 days they are on this test diet.
            I do not believe in a person eating fruit ‘in bulk’. Apples for a diabetic are a horrible thing to gorge ones self on as are many other fruits, yet we need some fruits. Try blue berries, raspberries, and such. However eat them raw/washed. No whipped cream, no sugar added on them, just as nature made them.
            No one ‘needs’ to eat rice/breads or any other heavy carb food.
            Almost every food on the planet has carbs so there is no reasoning behind eating rice if one has a high BG.

          • Kim,
            if you were more informed you would have realized my only meal for the day was the open faced burger!
            One meal!
            You need to back away from the medical professions rantings and the big pharma doctrine.
            One meal a day?!
            And it being a double patty burger of angus beef and lots of veggies and half a bun?
            You are disturbed because of this one meal for the day? My only meal? Really?
            I’d go back and do some sit downs with a nutritionist. You are not comprehending what is being stated or are misinformed.
            Please read clearly what I post and don’t interject anything in to it, okay?
            Lets play nice and let people help each other and not become a website of abrasive posts?

  14. Thank you so much for your article. In August 2016 (5 months ago) I had lab work done for the first time in many years and was diagnosed with diabetes. My first fasting blood glucose was 270 and of course they wanted to put me on insulin. I wanted to do some research first and through that declined insulin, started with a 3 day fast, after that switched to 2 meals a day, cut all grains/fruits/most veggies and was down to fasting blood glucose of 95 at times but for the most part I cannot get it below 110 no matter what I do. I don’t cheat at all, no sugar/jam/potatoes/rice etc… and the only vegetables I eat are green leafy (most often baby Bok Choi or arugula) or broccoli/cauliflower/zucchini/occasionally cabbage. I just feel like my body is broken and am so frustrated. The doctor is very happy with me and says she’s never seen someone do this on their own and has of course offered me Metformin which I didn’t want initially but I’m wondering if there is anything else to try or if I should try that. I am doing everything from a dietary perspective that I’ve been able to get my eyes on. If you have any articles to direct me to or any ideas I am at my wits end.

    • Shanna,
      Please look into Dr.Jason Fung’s website Intensive dietary management. He is a nephrologist based in Canada who is working with diabetics and he works through Skype as well.

      • Nida,
        Reviewing Dr. Fung’s work (and dietdoctor.com) is excellent advise. Using those resources and making dietary changes allowed me to drop 55 pounds in 6 months. My A1C lowered from 7.7 to 5.7 in about 3 months just by drastically cutting carbs, increasing fats in my diet, and implementing various forms of intermittent fasting. Dr. Fung has two books. The first is called the Obesity Code (where he discusses medicinal fasting, weight loss, and diabetes). The second book is a Guide to Fasting. They are both excellent.

      • Thank you! It was his info that I initially got ahold of that propelled me to make the changes I have but I didn’t know he worked w ppl via skype so I will try that! Thank you so much for the reply.

  15. I frequently feel hypoglycemic after going more than 4 hours without eating. Shaky, sweaty, trouble thinking straight, etc. I never have a BG meter handy to see what is going on. Tonight however, I had the symptoms after 8 hours of not eating. Much to my surprise my BG was 130. My previous meal was low carb. What in the heck is going on? I have had a few fasting BG readings in the 100-120 range when I had blood work done, but nothing way out of wack.

    • You need a blood panel taken to see what’s up.
      You could be low on potassium or iron or ????
      But if you have a 130 BG I see it hard that you are hypoglycemic.
      I’d get a doctor to run a panel.

  16. I am 33 years old, male.
    I did random blood glucose test after a meal which was 107, normal range ( 100-120on the result sheet) and my insulin level was 85, which was highlighted in red to indicate out of range ( 20-25)
    My T4 and T3and TSH were in normal range,
    My sex drive decreased and I frequently urinate
    What this indicates ?
    What other tests I should take
    Please advise

  17. I’m pregnant and failed my 1 hour glucose, but not my 3 hour. About 2 years ago, my husband and I cut out ALL processed sugars and foods. The test made me miserable and extremely sick. I bought a glucose meter and started testing my blood at home, because I just didn’t believe that I had GD. My blood sugar was not even close to what someone would have with diabetes, but I was forced to do the 3 hour anyways and expose my baby to 100g of glucose in 5 minutes. Great. I started to wonder if I could fail a glucose tolerance test, simply because my body wasn’t used to having to process anywhere near that amount of sugar. I prepped for my 3 hour based on this theory and cheated more than I ever have for Christmas (I’m talking store bought cookies, pie, pancakes, fake maple syrup, Doritos, etc.). My 3 hour was drastically better than my 1 hour (even my 1 hour within the 3 was way better). I based the theory off of my experience with trying to eat fast food and how sick it makes me now; as well as, trying to eat beef after being pescatarian for years. I’m just wondering I could be correct in my thinking.

    • You sound like a type 1 and not a type 2 diabetic?
      However that aside:
      Just based on science fast food is not good for you or your baby no matter how one tries to rationalize it.
      You can be perfectly healthy with first a stable and positive mindset and follow it up with healthy eating.
      I’m going to assume you did not read what brought my BG down from 217 to 110?
      Morning: either 3 eggs, or a cup of home cooked oatmeal or a bowl of stew.
      Lunch and dinner and anytime I’m hungry, another bowl of stew.
      Stew is:
      all veggies (I buy canned veggies) except no potato or sweet corn allowed.
      I use english peas, okra and tomato’s, hominy, green beans, beans or black eyed peas and then a pound or two of beef or chicken or pork or turkey cooked on the grill outside and then cut up and added to the hot veggies.

      One crock pot carries me for 3 days without exception when I eat eggs or oatmeal in the mornings.

      NO SUGAR OF ANY KIND. NO CANDY, SO WHITE BREAD, NO PASTA, NO CARBS OF ANY SORT BECAUSE I GET ENOUGH CARBS WITH THE CROCK POT STEW ANYWAY. THEY ARE HEALTHY CARBS.

      ONCE A DAY I CHERISH A SINGLE PIECE OF WHOLE WHEAT BREAD WITH REAL BUTTER WITH A BOWL OF STEW.

      I can guarantee if you do this, and yes it is difficult the first week because you get tired of the same old stew and start craving sweets. However, after the first week you’ll see a huge difference.

      You will never have faint headed feelings or low sugar if you are a type 2 diabetic or pre type 2 diabetic because you can eat all the stew you want and it’s cheaper than fast food. Type 1 is a different animal so that is for someone else to help you with.

      Don’t start this and then come back and say it did not work because it cannot not work for type 2 diabetics. If it fails you will have failed in keeping to the above food plan and it is so varied and allows for so many different vegetables and meats there is no reason not to enjoy such great food.

      My sympathy is with you as are my prayers for you and your little ones.
      CYa

  18. I have a 15 year old son who in the middle of October started to really not feel well or act well. He very fit and very active. He’s 6’4 and 203lbs. Plays football, basketball and runs track Well the last season football game the end of October he didn’t play because he was feeling very weak, shaky and tingly and somewhat on the verge of passing out. After the game was over he went back to the football bus and was complying to his cousin that his arm was numb, was shaking very bad and was apparently acting and talking like he was drunk. Once the coaches and medic were notified they realized his blood sugar was 45. So they gave him that tube of sugar and within a couple of minutes he was talking and making sense. About 15 mins later he was up and back on the bus and basically acting normal. They rechecked him 30 mins later and his sugar was 146. So since then we have been closely watching his sugars. His A1c the 28th of October was 4.3. So they said he was fine!!! Except he wasn’t. He kept getting low sugars, to the point of losing consciousness His number would get between 42 and 54 all the time. We see low number atound 50 at least twice a day. Never below 42 to though. In the last three weeks we have seen numbers up to 324 but have mainly been high 200s. He also has a thyroid disorder since he was 7 Now finally we just spent 48 hours in the hospital the beginning of this week for the fasting test and of course he did good Mainly his sugars stayed about 60 until the last hour of the test and then it went to 53 but the dr felt that was ok and sent him home anyways. So we still have NO answers. I would LOVE to believe that he’s fine now, but it’s really hard to. After leaving the hospital we went and ate at Applebee’s. He ordered a steak with broccoli, about 35 mins or so after eating he told me he felt funny and really looked it. So I checked his sugar and it was 54!!!!! So what possibly could be wrong with him
    I’m DESPERATE for answers or suggestions
    Thanks you

    • You need to have your son see his Endocrinologist; I assume he has one because you mentioned he has a thyroid disorder.

      • He has seen a endocrinologist He also did a 48hr fasting while inpatient at the hospital. But hat was all they did, was fast him and realize his sugars handled that ok. After we left the hospital and resumed life and he ate, his sugars drop drastically after eating. So I’m just confused and looking for other possibilities. I realize he’s not a diabetic but is this normal??

        • I suggested an endocrinologist because I have found that many physicians’ expertise with glucose abnormalities is pretty much limited to T2DM. Your son’s condition may be similar to type 2 diabetes if he is producing excess insulin. I have seen this referred to as “reactive hypoglycemia,” but not being an expert I don’t want to try and describe it and possibly mislead you. But some endocrinologists can/will set patients up with CGM which gives a much better picture of what is happening with glucose levels than testing with a glucose meter (finger stick). Additionally CGM’s have alarms which can be set to give early warning of a developing hypoglycemic event. One danger of multiple hypoglycemic episodes is that the patient may become accustomed to the symptoms, and therefore risk increasingly lower glucose levels.

          • I see. Thank you!! And to some degree I am getting a little concerned that he is getting used to the light headedness and shakiness to a certain point. I’m just getting frustrated because I’m not sure what else to do and it feels like I have to do the leg work. All because his sugars didn’t drop while fasting for 48hrs

            • The light-headedness and shakes is from and adrenaline rush. Perhaps your son should carry a Glucagon emergency kit and(/or) a medical alert ID; ask the Endo.

    • Get a different endocrinologist. I’m type 1. Your son is definitely having dangerous low’s. Hypoglycemic. It is highly dangorous just to be sent on your merry way. My advise is: get a blood sugar meter at the drug store. Self test (for now 5-10 times a day, (extreme precautions for now.)) keep sugar and carbohydrates handy. When type 1 diabetes developed it often does not develop in a rational straight line way. If he tests under 70 have that 15 grams of carb snack, retesting in ten minutes then snack more when necessary. Keeping in mind that juice drinks (read packaging for carb content ) quickly raise blood sugars but don’t matoblize the same as a potato or bread or other more substantial carbs. Meat has no carb to speak of, and although broccoli is a good choice the amount of carbs was not substantial enough. To keep from going low after the meal, potatoes with the broccoli add carrots or bread or gravy. 40 carbs per meal is a good place to start. If he is not diabetic but hypoglycemic the dessert and a higher carb intake per meal may be necessary, your NEW endocrinologist will help figure this all out. No matter what see a nurse a nutritionists on a regular basis. They are so helpful with people who have to eat outside of what is considered common. Take care.

      • Thanks you Linda. We do have a meter that we bought for him about a month or so ago cause the not knowing was driving me insane. And with that, we realized his sugars would get down in the low 50s or mid to high 40s. Although recently, he’s been getting reading of sugars being 40 or below. And what’s scary is, his not as symptomatic as he was when it was in the low 50s. So does that mean his body is getting use to the lows and is not showing the signs soon enough?? The good part is. We have found a new doctor who is very determined to figure out what’s going on with him. First we have to do a brain scan to make sure he doesn’t have a brain tumor. But they are leaning on him having bronze diabetes

  19. I’m a 67 yr. old female and Dr. Has told me I am a pre diabetic. Each time my A1C would come back 6.3 or 6.4 but 5 months ago I brought it down to 5.7 only because I rode bike 3 times a week and I rode 10 to20 miles. I haven’t rode a bike in about 3 1/2 months now and thought about checking my sugar so I got a glucose monitor to check. For 3 mornings before I ate I would get 148, 123, 130, there’s been there’s been a couple times I checked after meal and it was 303 but it wasn’t 2 hours after but almost. It does come down but not below a 100. I checked last night before I went to sleep and it was 316. This morning it was 130. I have a doctors appointment end of Feb. but do you think I should make an appointment and tell him about it rising like that? I did check with someone across the street because the man is a diabetic and has a monitor. Thought maybe something was wrong with my monitor but it was giving the same reading maybe Couple points different. Hope you’ll answer back and let me know if I need to see doctor now or wait?

    • I got tired of the metformin and the standard approach the doc used to get my blood sugar under control.
      I now, for 4 weeks, have been eating either oat meal and nothing else, 3 eggs and nothing else or a bowl of home made crock pot stew and nothing else for breakfast.
      Then for lunch a bowl of home made stew.
      Then for dinner a bowl of home made stew.
      Then if I’m hungry later at night a final bows of stew.
      My BG went from 217 to this afternoon’s test of 95.
      Diet is the key, not drugs.
      BUT, it’s hard to do. I do miss the ‘food’ that I ate that I should not eat. I reward myself once in a while.
      I have had one piece of candy each week.
      I have had one diet cola (no carbs or sugar but i limit it anyway) per week.
      I volunteer around the condo complex I live at.
      I play golf weekly.
      I walk and enjoy the day with my grandsons.

      I just changed my diet. No carbs if at all possible.
      No potato’s or sweet yellow corn in my stew, just lots of veggies and beef/pork/chicken or turkey.

      It really works. If in 4 weeks I can get my BG down to at or under 100 you can too.
      CYa

      • Thanks for the reply. I haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes but Doctor said I was pre diabetic. I will be going on a diet and eating good and exercising at least 3 times a week. Back to bike riding because I know that helps. I remember the other day I only ate a bake potato with steak and my glucose went to 303 on the meter and I haven’t even been diagnosed with diabetics. Then another night before I went to bed it was 316. I haven’t gotten a A1C for a while so I better go to doctor to see if I have a problem. Thanks

        • I can promise you this.

          If you eat no candy, no sugars, no fruits, no sweets, no carbs (carbs meaning no breads-pastas-etc because you are going to get carbs even from veggies) for 30 days, your BG will drop.

          Just make a stew, crock pot type, lots of veggies and beef or chicken or turkey, but be easy on the corn and for pete’s sake no potato’s.

          I promise you if you eat this 3 to 5 times a day and NOTHING ELSE your BG will drop and quickly.

          Yes you need some exercise but it can simply be walking every day, not 3 days a week. Get a paint can and use it like a hand bell and do curls or lifts with it.

          Sit ups and push ups (start off with being on your knees with the push ups).

          I guarantee you your BG will go down.

          Mine went from a high of 217 to a fasting BG of 91.

          It works but you have to do it. You cannot cheat EVER for 30 days. Once you see it works then you have to decide if continuing this to literally save your health and your life is worth it to you.

          Cya

          • I absolutely agree with doc. Eating in the manner described combined with light exercise will bring down BG immediately. Eat veggies that grow above the ground…Avoid fruit and the other things Doc mentioned. Add in a bit of olive oil, but avoid canola, sunflower, safflower oil. Etc. I actually saw my fasting BG go down within a couple of days after giving up carbs (from diabetic) to prediabetic. My fasting numbers are now around 85mg/dl or lower if I eat the right foods and incorporate moderate exercise. Magnesium (ionic 1000 mg daily) and curcumin/tumeric are also extremely helpful for regulating BG as is ceylon cinnamon. But the diet/exercise alone without the supplements is curative. Getting great BG is motivation enough for me to give up carbs; I just want to live the healthiest life that I can. It’s amazing how well diet controls T2D. Wish my endocrionologists (and internal medicine) docs had given me the tools I needed when I was just at the prediabetic stage. Oh well…the diabetes is in remission now…without their help!

      • Sir I had an FBS and the result was 135. I have 1/4 cup of rice each meal. I can also do your diet of 3 eggs a day, a cup of oatmeal and a bowl of stew because I really want to bring my sugar level to normal. My total cholesterol right now is 227 mg/dl. Will the 3 eggs a day not do me harm? I’ll wait for your answer

    • Dear Janna,
      I agree with Doc, the key to blood sugar regulation is diet and exercise–not metformin. With that being said, if you have high fasting and postprandial readings like you’re seeing, you should definitely see your doctor sooner rather than later. A “normal” fasting blood sugar is 70-100 mg/dl (but to be healthy, the level should be well below 100); 100-126 ml/dl is considered prediabetic; readings over 126 mg/dl are considered diabetic. Readings over 140 after meals is definitely in the diabetic range; ideally the levels should be no higher than 120 mg/dl, but I actually aim for lower than that. I never want to see my BG above 105 after meals. The idea to to prevent the damaging complications on organs and risk of cancer from high blood sugars.

      With this being said, if your readings have moved out the of the prediabetic range, your doctor will prescribe metformin. However, what works for many people is this. Gaining control of blood sugar (without medication) is pretty straightforward once the process is understood:

      1. Cut all refined carbohydrates: No bread, pasta, rice, oats, or gains of any kind (even “whole grain” bread pasta is unhealthy for people with prediabetes/Type 2 diabetes). Potatoes, including sweet potatoes also raise blood sugar to high levels.
      2. Avoid sugar, honey, artificial sweeteners, and the like. Agave nectar is not good either.
      3. Sweet fruits will raise blood sugar to unacceptable levels and should be eaten sparingly.
      4. Increase consumption of these foods: Veggies that grow above the ground; poultry, sea food/fish (especially wild salmon); olive oil, coconut oil, sesame oil–AVOID canola, safflower, corn oil, etc.; consume butter, eggs, hummus, cheese. Seed crackers (no grains).
      Basically, increasing good fats, and drastically cutting carbohydrates allow these things to happen: deceases blood glucose levels quickly (within a few days, blood glucose will look much better, but not perfect; pancreas and liver need time to heal); decreases insulin so that the body can burn fat (getting rid of visceral fat is key to putting diabetes in remission); allows the pancreas and liver to heal.

      After following this eating approach for the past 7 months (and exercising moderately by walking/elliptical) I have lost 53 pounds. More importantly, my A1C dropped from 7.7 to 5.7; my fasting numbers everyday for the past 2 weeks are now between 75-85 mg/dl; so, I think that the next A1C will be less than 5.7. Metformin cannot heal the body like sensible eating and exercise. Basically, consumption of carbohydrates drive the disease and removing the carbs allows the body to achieve balance naturally.

      While making dietary changes, I have continued to self monitor BG; it’s the only way to know how my body responds to different foods. I learned a lot from people like Chris Kresser, Jason Fung, Michael Mosley, and Sarah Hallberg.
      BTW-I eat dark chocolate (greater than 70% a few times per week); and I have cake, cookies, ice cream on occasion, but not every week. I have not given up my 3-4 weekly glasses of bordeaux either. Low carb/high fat diet is about healing my liver and pancreas, not totally depriving myself! Good luck on your journey…You can get control of your blood glucose, but your medical doctor will not know how to do this; if he/she did, they would have helped you turn it around BEFORE your AIC even hit greater than 6.0. The info is out there on the web. Please Google the names that I provided above.

      • L&L Mom, Hi i am 51 years old and i have not had any problems with my BG and A1C levels until i got a chest congestion cold and was given Levofloxacin 500mg to take for six days on the 5th day i began to feel ill and my vision was hazy.So i got up and checked my sugar level and it was over 400 i had been taking 2mg of Glimepiride once a day and my doctor raised it to 4mg a day. But with that and trying to change my diet i still have BG reading all thru the day around the 350’s and sometimes in the 400’s Help!!!!!!!

        • Hello,
          I’m sorry to hear that you are struggling. I am not familiar with the medication that you’re taking. I know the act of having and infection and also some drugs can raise blood glucose. Definitely eat in a way that does not further increase your blood glucose levels; however, if my BG ever spiked that high, I would immediately consult an endocrinologist, or a primary care doc. Good luck and get better soon.

          • L&L Mom, Thanks for your reply and your time…I did already had made a appointment with my Doctor so hopefully we can figure this out………Thanks

    • You don’t need another appointment (before February) with your doctor. He’ll tell you you’re still prediabetic. He’ll ignore your recent BG numbers because compared with A1C they don’t matter much. (They fluctuate wildly all day long in everybody; best you can do is try to be consistent in getting a prepradial reading the same time everyday.) He’ll tell you your BG numbers have gone up because you’ve not been riding your bike. He’ll say you’ve already seen for yourself what exercise will do for managing your prediabetes/insulin resistance. Beyond that he may say something about diet or suggest putting you on Metformin. The above two replies are pretty much spot-on if you want to take a diet-only approach to control. PS: your body takes your glasses of bordeaux exactly as if they were extra glasses of refined fruit juice (super fast super-high BG spikes), so plan accordingly.

      • An average glass of red wine contains only 2 grams of carbs. I was pleasantly surprised to have learned this. I have tested my BG after drinking a glass or two of bordeaux and have found that it does not spike my sugar:
        http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/wine-vs-beer-low-carb-eating-5147.html

        Also check dietdoctor.com for information on carbohydrate content of various foods and beverages.

        I limit my intake or red wine not because of blood sugar regulation, but because excessive alcohol consumption is linked to liver disease, weight gain, and cancer.

        Here is great story that I found on NPR also:
        http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/10/14/448311831/diabetes-study-adds-evidence-that-a-glass-of-wine-is-good-for-you

      • Whatever she does after going back to the doctor in February, please have her understand that big pharma drugs are worse in many cases than simple eating right and exercise regimes can be for a person, if they will change their lifestyle and plan to eat and act and be healthy.
        It’s not easy, unless you want to live long and live healthy.
        We all die, that’s a given, so at least try to postpone it as long as possible and enjoy all the magnificent things we have here including your family and friends.
        I’m not saying there are no situations where drugs are not going to be required but with many diabetics, type 2, you can change it yourself in many many cases.
        My best to you all.
        Eat well and get some exercise.

      • Thank you Kurt. Think I will wait till February before going to Dr. I guess it will be late spring before I know what my A1C will be. By then I will be working on Eating better and exercising so not going to worry about it anymore. I was just a little concerned when I seen it go up so high I have never had my blood glucose go up like that. Again thank you for your advice.