Help I am low carbing and my Fasting Blood Glucose level did not go down.

[jasonburnsdundee]

Last year I had my blood taken and my fasting glucose level was 5.8 (I am in Canada) which when I go on a diabetic website they define this as impaired glucose tolerance.

I decided to take better care of myself I dropped 30 LBs and my bodyfat is at 16.5 %. After 4 months on the diet I decided to get my sugar level tested again. To my disappointment it was 6.1 an increase from when I was not on the diet.

I do not understand that if I keep my carbohydrate intake low my sugar level should have dropped off but it did not.

A bit about me I am 35 Male 210 lbs. 16.5% bodyfat (feels like a personal ad) my fasting glucose level was 6.1.


Now a friend who is a blood lab tech said well it could be that my body is not calling for insulin as it is not required and so the sugar that is in my blood is suspended and this is normal. Well that would be nice and all but I would like someone who understands a bit about prediabetes and diabetes to take a look.

Now somethings which could have screwed up my readings. I gave blood 3 days before the test and I was terribly thirsty. The paper said not to eat or drink anything 12 hours before the test. I went 12 hours without anything to drink.

Best regards

Jason

[Mitra]

Welcome, Jason, and congratulations on the weight loss.

I'm not by any means an expert on blood sugar levels - hopefully some others will chip in with their thoughts/experiences later.

Readings vary from day to day, so a change from 5.8 to 6.1 (104 to 110) doesn't necessarily mean that your blood glucose levels are worse - just that they're about the same.

Some people find that (resistance) exercise helps get their BG down, and there are some who struggle to maintain control by diet alone, but who can use a smaller dose of drugs and/or maintain better control by eating low carb rather than high.

Did your blood test include A1C? That gives you an idea of what the average BG level has been over several weeks, so may give you a better indication of how your diet is affecting your BG levels than the single reading.

[gitfiddle]

Jason, if it was not an A1c test and you were dehydrated it could certainly cause a higher number. I have found to my chagrin that simply eating low carb is not enough if my stress level is elevated. Exercise is a wonderful way to augment the low carb. Walking a few times a week is enough to keep mine normal. I think it releases stress as well as the other benefits.

I have an A1c about four times a year and I have to fast after midnight, but I can have as much water as I want. In fact, the technician recommended water to hydrate the blood vessels and make it easer to get a sample.

Just wait and see what your next test shows before you panic. Might just have been a glitch. I take it you are not currently diagnosed a diabetic?

[jasonburnsdundee]

No I did not get an A1c test. And no I am not a diabetic. I had noticed that my sugar level was elevated last year and spoke with my doctor about it who told me that most of his patients have a sugar level at or higher than mine. I figured that the best time to take care of myself is before I actually develope something rather than after.

[LisaS]

If you are concerned or just curious, pick up a tester and some strips and do your own monitoring for a bit under all conditions (FBG, 2 hr post-prandial, etc) to see if this was a one time elevation or more of a trend.

[gitfiddle]

No I did not get an A1c test. And no I am not a diabetic. I had noticed that my sugar level was elevated last year and spoke with my doctor about it who told me that most of his patients have a sugar level at or higher than mine. I figured that the best time to take care of myself is before I actually develope something rather than after.
You are right on with that thought. When my blood sugar came up elevated (fat and forty-five with a family history) I prevaricated and didn't get the followup blood work for six months. By then, it was up to 310 from eating "fat-free" candy that we all had in the office. No turning back at that point. Be ye careful! :)