blood sugar reading

[charlieuniform3]

Can anyone help - when you test your blood in those little electronic machines, what should it read roughly?

Thank you

[redcrx]

depends when you take it and also if you have diabetes etc.

when pregnant, i had gestational diabetes. 1hr after food it was ok to have a fugure of 5-7 but 1hr before food it was usually about 2-4 that was classed as acceptable for me.

but it really does vary

[ummmm]

Unless I've forgotten....5 or below.

[charlieuniform3]

Thank you according to the doctor no diabetes but wife is complaining of major sugar crashes that have caused her to pass out - dr checks each time but no diabetes.

she also has sugar high's - the reading have been anything from 4.1 to 8.6

[ummmm]

Even at 8.6 I don't they'd worry too much.

[redcrx]

i dont think that they would be classed as really high, though it depends when she last ate and what it was really.
a glucose fasting test would normally show for sure

[charlieuniform3]

OK cheers

[Mosaic]

CU - I have expereinced similar events to your missus all my adult life - only solution that has worked for me is protein in meals, really lowest possible refined sugar and lots of dietary fibre, plus regular exercise. I've never been diagnosed diabetic but monitored my own blood sugar during a week and the giddy spells were down to 2.
If I don't eat protein at lunch i can guarantee a giddy spell about 4.00pm

[charlieuniform3]

Mosaic, Thank you - what helps you out of the giddy spells?

We have got quite good at spotting episodes - but I don't think she really wants to pass out in restaurants again!!

[Mosaic]

The preventative approach works best for me ie always always protein at lunch.
If caught short, something like a mars bar and a cuppa tea, or a full fat coca cola will usually stop me keeling over but I feel very tired and headachey afterwards. In all, nothing beats regular balanced eating.

[wolf63]

Try reading this link to "reactive hypoglycemia" http://en.wikipedia.o...Reactive_hypoglycemia and maybe also Google "insulin intolerance".

I have PCOS (polycystic ovaries) and one of the symptoms is blood sugar problems and weight gain. When my blood sugar crashes I feel weak and hot and very agitated and my mood drops - as I am also Bipolar this has been very 'troublesome'. I am now diabetic.

My low blood sugar usually rights itself after a few hours or if I eat something that will also help.

[nungate]

Diabetics should aim for anything between 5 and 7 as an ideal. Needless to say my daughter never does and she's been diabertic since she was 2! She does tell me that she feels more comfortable when her sugar levels are around 9

[Sqad]

Normal fasting blood sugars 4-8 mmol/litre

Two hours after a meal.......up to 10mmols/litre

CU3...those figures of 4.--8.6 depending upon when they are taken seem normal to me.

Not sure about these "major sugar crashes" that you talk about.

[charlieuniform3]

Sqad - if she has something to sweet then she gets very agitated and grumpy and has been known to pass out

there are times that she needs to eat something sweet as she is breaking out in a cold sweat ends up with bad headaches and again passes out

I have to point out that she has these episodes without passing out but in the last two years she has passed out 3 times

[Sqad]

CU3....this is indeed an odd story, suggestive at sometimes of a low blood sugar and other times of a high blood sugar.

Has she been investigated at the hospital?

[Mosaic]

Squad, CUs story mirrors mine. Reported to GP and tested numerous times, told not diabetic and no blood sugar problems apparent. More to the point, GP cannot suggest any way of managing the condition and I think believes it is hysteria.
Trust me, it isn't.
Whatever it is, my metabolism needs me to keep to regular protein intake, roughage and very little processed sugar. All I know is it works for certain, whereas what passes for medical advice round here has failed to help me.

[charlieuniform3]

Sqad, Dr just keeps testing her and says there is nothing obvious - well when you collapse in a restaurant or turn into a gibbering wreck there is obviously something wrong.

Thank you Mosaic - I will pass this onto her this evening.

[Sqad]

CU3/Mosaic......after all the tests come back negative........what should the doctor say? When or if he says there is nothing wrong, he actually means we can't find anything wrong.

Hysteria and anxiety states can indeed cause these sort of case histories, but the diagnosis is only made by exclusion.

[Mosaic]

Sqad, I bought my own monitor and showed GP a months-worth of readings - he could not have been less interested. I did this understanding that a diagnosis can't be made when the problem isn't happening - but I can't tow the GP round with me.