Is it useful for a non-diabetic to test post meal glucose?

Arzoo, I think you had posted awhile back that you had tested borderline.  In any case, since diabetes runs in your family, I suggest that you cut down on carbs and do test yourself after meals every so often if you have a monitor.  In this way you can probably keep your blood sugar within control instead of having it slowly creep upwards over the years.  That's my two cents.

I'd like to pose a follow up question, I was thinking, though unsure if this makes sense... but here goes.

When testing post meal glucose, if a non-diabetic eats a whole ton of carbs, like a whole pizza or a really big bowl of pasta, wouldn't the readings go off the charts, then settle down. So, in effect, it may be a false reading and cause unnecessary concerns. Can this happen?

How does one make the post meal glucose testing 'valid', is there a sense to what I'm thinking? Pls. correct me if I'm mistaken anywhere.


By the way, Metres mentioned a non-diabetic taking insulin as a profilactic. Is there any sense to doing this?

I mean, will this help ward off diabetes, maybe by strengthening the pancreas or easing the insulin burden on the beta cells?

Thanks again.

I think there are simply too many variables involved in blood sugar resposes for occasional tests to reveal anything meaningful. A simple glucose tolerance test would be far more informative wouldn't it?
As I understand it, a non-diabetics blood sugar would rise from around 70 mg/dl to around 130-140 within an hour of consuming 50 grams of dextrose, then return to where it started within an hour and a half. This indicates that there is little circulating insulin before the dextrose is consumed, but that it quickly produced in response to the sugar load. Obese or pre-diabetic people would typically show a higher blood glucose reading prior to the test, perhaps 80 or above, and a much lower peak, perhaps as low as 90-95 mg/dl. this is symptomatic of hyperinsulinemia - too much circulating insulin created by regular cosumption of excessive carbohydrates. It's long-term hyperinsulinemia which burns out the pancreas eventually, and then blood sugars go crazy.
Metre's, your non-diabetic is kidding himself taking insulin as an anti-aging regime. He's going to have a lot more success cutting down on the carbohydrates so there's less need for insulin at all. That's how to ease the burden on the beta cells.

All the best, and Happy New Year!

fergusc