Frustrated and Confusing BG Readings

Hey all,

I want to preface this post but stating that I realize no one hear is a doctor and I am not asking for a diagnosis, rather just hoping someone could help shed some light on my confusing home glucose readings. My dr. Has performed several tests on me and assures me I am not diabetic or pre-diabetic. However, my fasting sugar is always low 90s, and have even seen it go as high as 110 if I eat cake before bed. If I eat a high-carb item without fat, I will spike high at an hour, and be down to 90 by the second hour. However, if I eat something fatty and full of carbs, I spike later and Coke down at 3-4 hours. My sugar readings have been worse after being placed on thyroid meds, and my new fasting is closer to 100 (considering I don't eat anything carb-based the night before). Also, if I eat a lot of sugar, my head spins but this does not feel like low sugar to me at all. It does not happen all the time and is usually worse if I do it as night. I normally stay away from sugar, but bend the rules on occasion. Could pre-diabetics experience dizziness from high sugar? Or do you only experience symptoms if you have type 2? Thanks!

Welcome to the Diabetes Forum, Justme224. First, I don't know what that head spinning feeling is. Maybe it is related to the sugar in what you ate or not. Maybe it's like the sugar rush that gets kids running around like crazy after they eat a lot of sugar. If you could take your blood sugar at that moment, you would know if your blood sugar is high or not. Then, of course, maybe it would cause your blood sugar to drop after an hour or so and that could make you feel odd.

In any case, if this is bothering you, then you need to pursue the answers and an endocrinologist is the specialist to see, especially if you're on thyroid meds.

Fasting in the low 90's is considered normal even if an average non-diabetic's fasting is in the 80's. Maybe your average is just higher. It's good that your blood sugar comes down quickly by the second hour after eating something with a lot of sugar though.

Here is a page from a site which has a lot of information about blood sugar. Maybe this can help you understand more: www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/16422495.php

So, I really don't know if you have anything to be concerned about regarding your blood sugar but the fact that you are concerned needs to be addressed. Some factors like being overweight and having family members with diabetes can tip the balance and if this is true for you, then I think you are wise to be pro-active now to avoid problems later.

Have you seen an endo?

Yes, I'm sure it's frustrating for you but especially because you are watching it very closely. Be careful about letting your health concern become a health obsession.

There is quite a bit written about the effects of fat and fiber on the impact of food on blood sugar. Fat and fiber can temper the spikes of carbs, according to what I've read in some articles. This is considered a good thing because sudden spikes and sudden drops on blood sugar are not good for the body overall. However, wide swings of blood sugar, fast or slow, isn't good in any case.

The best suggestion I have is to keep a journal of your blood sugar with time and what you've eaten and when. And if you do have the spinning sensation, see if you can take your reading at that time, too. And, again, I would present this to an endo. However, if you've already done this and didn't get any answers or concern from your doctor, I think another professional opinion is necessary.