Blood Sugar Level

[Stargazer]

I am not taking any medication for type two diabetes but I am borderline. I have a finger prick tester and I wonder what the reading ought to be. It was 6.2 earlier before I had eaten anything. What is the optimum time after eating to take a reading?

[Aircooledfool]

4 to 6 is a “normal” reading for an adult male indicating an almost non diabetic state. However, you have to factor in BMI, age, other health conditions etc etc, there are good diabetes websites hosted By the nhs , which show you how to do this, and they display all your texts results done by your go or practice nurse, I have type 2 and was gradually getting off the the scale, because I don’t make enough insulin naturally, some but not enough. Now I inject dulaglutide once per week to add to my insulin . My readings are now much steadier, no excursion up to 14 plus anymore . Averaging 6 to 8.5 now , which for someone who does not make enough insulin, is pretty good, and reduces the risk of a hypo. Hope that helps as I said there are good nhs resources online which will help you understand this. Mydiabetesmyway is the one I use.

[JimF]

6.2 is a good reading for an adult with Type II and, as the first reply mentioned, several other metrics come into play as to how good that figure is.

Since you say you test by finger pricking, can I suggest you investigate a FreeStyle sensor? https://www.freestylelibre.co.uk/libre/

They're quite expensive, depending on your circumstances, but each one lasts a fortnight and gets rid of finger prick testing instantly.

[Aircooledfool]

What I should have said , and didn’t, is that, if you are borderline, then a healthier diet, eating a bit less, a bit of exercise now and then are the best things you could do, to take control of the situation. You might be tired of hearing that sort of advice, and so was I, and I ended up with pretty bad diabetes, which if I had not been so pig headed could have been avoided

[Sqad]

6.2 is fine, no need to take it again for at least 2hours after eating.........that's if you want to.....I can't see the need personally. Infact, in your case once daily before a meal is adequate.
I take the point of jimF but is a bit OTT for a non diabetetic and certainly expensive.

[barry1010]

2 hours after eating will tell you how well you're body is reacting to the food you've just eaten. 8.5 or less is good for someone with type 2 diabetes after food, 4 to 7 before food. The smaller the difference the better.