Fasting figures

High fasting figures really scare me. If I get a high reading after meal, I know I can adjust what I have just eaten. But, what can you do if you get a high fasting reading - say in the mid 90s?

(I have read somewhere that we shouldn't pay too much attention to fasting figures. How true that is, I don't know.)

Can the fasting figures go up and down every other moraning?

Some day I might get 83 and another day I might get 95. I thought once you were in the 80s 'group,' you would, get fasting readings every day of almost the same (in the 80s)?

I have rarely gone over 100, but when I see 95 /96 sometimes,  I wonder why.and it gets me scared,

Could taking aspirin or Centrum vitamin, or lunesta the night before, cause a higher fasting reading? I usually do the fasting test anywhere from  10-12 hours after my snack (at about 10 PM the previous night).

Or does everybody's (pre-diabetic) fasting reading go up and down (usually forever) from low eighties to mid-nineties, or sometimes a litle over 100?

(P.S. I do not sleep too well and wonder if that oculd be one of the causes of fasting readings going up to the 90s sometimes? Several of my friends my age say they also have trouble sleeping. Plus, we (men)  have to get up one or two times a night to go to bathroom.)

Hi Bob.  Yes, your morning fasting numbers may vary from day to day and there are many factors that determine that.  If your fasting is under 100, most doctors will tell you that is what a non-diabetic would have.  If I were you, I would not worry about that fluctuation.  I have read that as we age we may also have trouble sleeping through the night and, again, there are various reasons for that.  What you can control is whether or not you're drinking anything with caffeine in the evening, the amount of liquids you drink after dinner, etc.  Some people say an evening walk is relaxing but others may find it revs up their system, so you have to find out your own best way to make yourself ready for sleep in the evening.  I think it would be a good idea to keep a list of these questions and ask the doctor the next time you see him. Remember, no one here is a doctor and we can only tell you what we've experienced or read about.

You are not on diabetes medication, so the comment about amaryl does not pertain to you.  As a pre-diabetic, you are doing a great job keeping your blood sugar in control, but don't worry excessively.  And be sure to write those questions down for your doctor.

(The member who responded to you and talked about that medication deleted her post.)

Hi Bob.  When you wrote about having trouble sleeping, I meant that drinking anything in the evening, especially something with caffeine, might interrupt your sleep.  Lately the heat has been terrible and I feel that it's wise to drink more water.  I do that in the morning and afternoon but I don't drink a lot of water after dinner for the very reason that I don't want to have to get up during the night to go to the bathroom.  I don't think water has any effect on blood sugar.  The doctor and the lab tech both told me I can drink water before I go in for a fasting blood test.

As far as taking your blood sugar immediately upon rising or waiting half an hour, it's your choice.  You might find a little difference between those two times when you take your blood sugar but I wouldn't stress over.  I think it's important to be consistant.  Take it at the same time in the morning.