I can’t get my blood sugars down

Posted by rita @ritabtripp, Mar 26 6:37am

My fasting glucose was 99 and my A1c was 5.6 so I asked my doctor to order a continuous glucose monitor so I could better manage my diet (even though I’m not technically pre diabetic yet). . I haven’t eaten any sugar/sweets for over 2 months; I’m vegan other than some fish but I found that eating a the large salads (greens, cabbage, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, garbanzo beans and minimal dressing which has 1 gm carbs) was raising my blood sugar past 150 so I’ve cut back on the large amounts of healthy veggies and added more protein into my diet and added intermittent fasting but my fasting glucose doesn’t usually go much below 100. I’m getting very discouraged and am seeing an Endocrinologist but wonder if anyone has any recommendations. I’m 67 years old; I’m not overweight; I exercise 6 days a week. I feel like I’m doing everything I should be doing but nothing seems to help. I do have hypothyroidism but have been taking meds for 10 years. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you!

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sisyphus | @sisyphus | Mar 30 12:47pm

It seems you are taking care of the main two pillars: wholesome food, which u describe in much space and detail, and briefly physical activity as six days a week, all this within a not-overweight body.

I am a big believer in addressing health issues with healthy lifestyle and it has helped me stay free of any health issues in my 80 y.o. frame. So I'll ask: are you: Are you Not sedentary in most of your typical day, given much life today has lost any reason to even Stand, pace back and forth, talk / listen while standing? The 30 minutes of strenuous (you feel heart rate at peak, I do when walking beyond the 7th floor in my aprtment bldg until I reach the top after another five floors of huffing and panting (oh the joys of feeling Exertion!)

Of course your levels of strength, endurance, flexibility, agility and posture will often tell you if your exercise pillar is well taken care of. Hope it helps. Good luck!

rita | @ritabtripp | Mar 30 1:54pm

Great advice! I don’t think of myself as sedentary but I’m sure I could be moving more. I watch my small grandchildren so I don’t get to sit much. . I personally wonder if it is hormonal (menopause) or my hypothyroidism. But it never hurts to increase my movement. Thank you for taking the time to share your ideas!

polladhu | @polladhu | Apr 1 10:44am

my take: start low dose berberine, watch for side effects and hypo episodes.
it should keep you sugars stable, and help your thyroid too.

rita | @ritabtripp | Apr 1 10:56am

Great idea! Thank you!!!

Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Apr 1 11:33am

@ritabtripp have you seen the endocrinologist yet? I’ve been wondering if you’ve gotten anything beneficial from this provider. How are you doing now?

rita | @ritabtripp | Apr 1 1:00pm

I was supposed to see the endocrinologist this afternoon but they canceled my appointment. They will only see me if my A1c is 5.7. Mine is 5.6. I was hoping to avoid becoming pre diabetic.

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Apr 1 7:15pm

@ritabtripp
What makes you think you're going to become prediabetic?
Has your A1c been consistently increasing overtime? I believe it's normal for your A1C to increase as you age.
Jake