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Real members of DiabetesTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

So What Are Blood Glucose Level Recommendations Based On??

A DiabetesTeam Member asked a question 💭
Inverary, ON

Ya, I'm really bored today, so here's another one 😁

Each of us should have our maximum blood sugar levels for Fasting, Pre-Prandial (before meals), Post-Prandial (2 hours after eating except in the UK where they use 1.5 hours) and Before Bed (if required – typically just Basil Insulin users for dosage recommendations) set by our Doc

If we have confounding conditions such as Heart or Kidney Disease, other hormone disorders (Thyroid, Pituitary, Adrenal) then it becomes even more important that… read more

January 15, 2023 (edited)
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A DiabetesTeam Member

@A DiabetesTeam Member grazing can be a great strategy for weight loss in non-diabetics but for us, eating regular meals, and even better if we eat them at the same time everyday, really helps regulate our metabolism (biorhythm or body clock - pick your terminology).

For "us" really making meal habits improves our insulin resistance, ensures sufficient insulin release (need about 15 carbs to trigger the equivalent of a "Bolus" (mealtime) dump of insulin), so just "picking" during the day could leave you with trying to metabolize all your blood sugar with extremely limited amounts of (self produced) insulin.

To illustrate our Pancreas, if just left on it's own (fasting) it releases a little under 1 unit of insulin an hour (0.8 units/hr).

When we eat a meal with at least 15 carbs in it then it opens the taps and 10 units (morning) and 14 units (later afternoon) in response to that meal is released.

Our insulin resistance "naturally" increases past noon and our system knows it, so the pancreas releases "more units" in the afternoon than the morning to help deal with the higher resistance (our body really has things figured out - we just have to help it optimize what it knows to do)

So if you don't eat enough for that dump you get about 19 units produced a day - eat your three meals of at least 15 carbs and you get upwards of 45 units a day

This doesn't apply to those following Keto and actually achieve Ketosis, but for all the rest of us, getting at least 15 carbs at 5 to 6 hour intervals is what will provide us with the full benefit of the maximum insulin production we can achieve (and of course, certain meds will force us to produce more)

January 16, 2023 (edited)
A DiabetesTeam Member

Once again the man explains what we need to be told in words that are explainable. Thanks once again, Graham! When I was in the hospital and diagnosed, none of this was explained. Did they not know any of this or think I was not smart enough? Even the doctor I'm seeing doesn't bring up anything unless I look him in the eye and ask. I asked questions when I was in the hospital and never got a knowledgeable answer from a doctor.
All I can say is thank goodness for Graham Lamb.

January 16, 2023
A DiabetesTeam Member

Blood glucose level recommendations are based on several factors:

- Individual Health Needs: Your doctor will determine what ranges of blood sugars are safe for you based on your specific health needs
- Daily Measurements: Regular blood glucose tests, especially before and after meals, help in understanding how well your Show Full Answer

Blood glucose level recommendations are based on several factors:

- Individual Health Needs: Your doctor will determine what ranges of blood sugars are safe for you based on your specific health needs.
- Daily Measurements: Regular blood glucose tests, especially before and after meals, help in understanding how well your treatment plan is working.
- A1C Levels: These levels, measured twice a year, indicate your average blood glucose levels over the past few months.
- Consultation with Health Care Team: Your health care team, including your doctor, diabetes care nurse, diabetes educator, or dietitian, will help you decide if certain treatments or adjustments are necessary.

Always consult your health care team for personalized advice.

July 8
A DiabetesTeam Member

@A DiabetesTeam Member Hi Jennifer. What say-you and me start a GrahamLamb fan club! LOL

January 18, 2023 (edited)
A DiabetesTeam Member

@A DiabetesTeam Member thanks for your knowledge and wisdom. When I mentioned it to the diabetic nutritionist I saw she saw nothing wrong with it so long as I planned it out. I had a feeling it was not really helping matters and when I’m really busy or stressed I revert to the old habits of grazing. At least I still have been maintaining low carb and no sugar. In the past it would have been butterfingers and junk food!! It could be why my Fbg is higher. Add another to my list of improvements I need to make. 😂 you can never let your guard down with the beast .

January 16, 2023 (edited)

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