Blood sugar levels

[tigertummy]

I'm yet to be diagnosed with anything but before I go to speak to my doctor I want to go with as much information as possible. I've bought a blood glucose meter. How often should I be testing my levels?

Thanks

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing! You won't be diagnosed by random readings unless extreme, but a hba1c blood test that looks at levels over a period of three months and repeated after lifestyle and diet changes. A fasting level (ie. Before breakfast) below 5.6 is considered normal but these levels may fluctuate during the day.

Thanks for your reply @LIZS

I've been feeling odd for over a year now and each time I speak to the GP they send me for a random test that always coming back "normal". I'm hoping if I can take as much information as possible there might be a helpful outcome

If you don't have diabetes you shouldn't be checking your levels.

Is there a reason you are convinced the issue is diabetes? Most people with Type 2 have no symptoms when diagnosed. If you are 'feeling odd' there are many other diagnoses.

I have massive dips in energy, feel faint, dizzy, my eyes go funny, my brain goes foggy, sometimes I get sweaty. I've been for every blood test and because of the system at my surgery I always get sent for the tests after the episodes. I've been given antibiotics which did nothing. I also have a low resting heart rate when I have these moments. It's scary

@AnnaMagnani sorry - meant to tag you in my previous post

I was diagnosed 6 months ago, at the beginning I took a reading before a meal then 2 hours after to see the change. Did that twice a day for a few weeks, then as it came down took it once a day, then once a week, but my levels were very high to start.

Thanks @Damia

As soon as you wake up

Before food and two hours after food

Before bed

I don't think that is diabetes.

Have all your tests been focused on diabetes or has anyone looked for anything else?

Your description of faint dizzy and sweaty sounds much more like low BP. have you had your lying and standing BP checked? Or anyone thought of POTS.

Thanks @strawberryicecream6464

@AnnaMagnani I haven't had that but I have had blood tests for everything else under the sun. I've had my blood pressure checked a few times and although it's lower than usual they've said it's within normal range. Going to google POTS now

As soon as you wake up very important one. Don't get out of bed just test as soon as you wake up.

I don't have the full criteria for POTS but my blood pressure does drop dramatically when I stand up, and is low at the best of times. If yours tends to be low then you need it checked immediately you stand up and 5 minutes later.

In hot weather, if I'm ill or stressed if I don't work really hard at being hydrated then my BP goes through the floor and I'm lying on the ground, then spending the rest of the day recovering from it.

Thank you @AnnaMagnani and @strawberryicecream6464 I really appreciate all the help and advice

POTS I was going to suggest that too

I'm not convinced it's POTS as it's not when I stand up. It's a constant for a few hours on and off over a day and goes on for around a week then I get a week or 2 off

I would suggest that if you feel a bit crap to go low carb. Eat whole foods, fast where you can and see if your symptoms improve. Even if you don't have T2D improving your diet is never a bad thing.