1. < Diabetes & Endocrine System

How do I lower my morning fasting glucose levels?

Posted by kateia @kateia, Aug 8, 2019

I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 3 weeks ago and the doctor wanted me on bp meds and metformin right away. After a week of thinking about it I've chosen to change my eating habits, now counting carbs, and exercising more. I've lowered my morning fast blood tests by over 100 points from 258 to 145 just by changing my diet. What else can I do to keep the numbers going down? The dietician says it should be between 70 & 130. Trying not to eat after 7:30 pm. Any suggestions?

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trishanna | @trishanna | Aug 9, 2019
In reply to @dorisena "I keep reading that Metformin is not a weight loss drug but lowers blood sugar some...." + (show)
@dorisena

I keep reading that Metformin is not a weight loss drug but lowers blood sugar some. My doctor said at the beginning that it does not do much, but I think it is effective for me. I can overdo at dinner and have the number back to normal in the morning. But not every day. I am wondering if anyone has been taught about the normal ups and down of blood sugar and how diabetes makes the blood spike high and then drop low two hours later and then go back up again in a wave pattern if normal, and in peaks with diabetes. When I saw that chart, I knew better who to eat and when to eat to control the ups and downs. Metformin helps the number to go down over night but not as much in the day, I have discovered. At first two Metformin pills made my stomach hurt a little over night, but then I got used to it but was very hungry in the morning. But I have always had a sensitive stomach due to stress. Basically, changing lifestyle is the way to go for better health. Insulin is for serious cases, and I never had to go that route because my diabetes was discovered early on. I hope this helps the new people who haven't been taught much about their disease. There is always more to learn. Dorisena

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@dorisena Thanks, dorisena. Do you think it important to do a blood glucose test during the day? It's not always convenient, I find.

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Retired Teacher | @retiredteacher | Aug 9, 2019

@trishanna Welcome to Connect and the Diabetes/Endocrine Group. I am Carol, a Volunteer Mentor who has Diabetes 2. I am not a doctor; I am a retired teacher who was diagnosed three years ago. I knew nothing about the disease but have had to learn. The first fact is that every diabetic is different. It depends on too many factors for everyone to have the same things work for everybody. You have to trust your medical team and see if what they tell you works. I have read and researched to find out everything I can. I have always had high morning numbers. My endo says as long as it goes down during the day, he's not concerned. I do not take any medicine, but have worked to control my numbers. I've experimented with food and counting calories and portions and carbs---you name it. This all went well until a couple of months ago. I have had some infection and low grade fever and developed problems with my feet as a result of diabetes. Now my numbers are higher, and I have a month to wait to get in to see my endo. I know how concerned I was when I was first diagnosed, and I still am, as diabetes is different every day for me. My main point is to see what works for me and read the Connect members' experiences of others for information. Mayo has a really informative paperback book that helps with understanding basics. I bought that at first and still refer to it three years later. The title is Mayo Clinic Diabetes Diet. It explains the numbers and gives a two-week menu plan, and shows just about everything you need to know when just beginning. It seems as if you are off to a good start. If you have questions, can you call your doctor and ask? If things feel wrong, be sure to get in touch with your medical team. Diabetes is an unpleasant disease and calls for a lifestyle change; that's not easy, but it is doable.
Carol

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sunwhir | @sunwhir | Aug 9, 2019
In reply to @kateia "Hey, I'm a farm wife too!! It would be really nice to have someone to help..." + (show)
@kateia

Hey, I'm a farm wife too!! It would be really nice to have someone to help with answers to questions. Especially with all the "numbers". I've seen a dietician and will go back to her a couple of more times before the end of the year. The cost is all out of pocket due to a large deductible on insurance. I'm like you. I like to make things from scratch so it's very tough trying to figure out how many carbs are in what I make. Plus my husband eats what I do so have to cater to a working farmer as well. Other than baked goods and high starch veggies, I eat just about everything. Nothing packaged except nuts.

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There are apps that you can use to help calculate carbs calories fats etc ...my favorite is Lifestyle

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dorisena | @dorisena | Sep 19, 2019

Just keep at your diet changes, reading low glycemic lists and learning to enjoy foods that are low glycemic numbers. Eat high fiber foods, increasing gradually so you have no discomfort but have regular bowel movements. Be happy about each little improvement in the numbers and don't starve yourself.
Get someone to exercise with you so you can share the victories. Spend the money you save by not purchasing food in a box by purchasing fresh foods and lean meat or protein. I enjoy milk and I drink it every day but I have to give up some fruit in order to keep the calories down. I do not count calories because it is depressing, but I am quite happy when my fasting blood sugar is close to 100 in the morning. If it goes lower, I get the shakes, so I do not try to reach any lower because years ago I was hypoglycemic. It was stress related and I worked on the issue for a better daily life. The whole plan must be a personal journey fitting your body needs and activity level. Be aware of sleepiness after eating and driving while not alert. Believe that you can get much better.
Find a friend to take this journey with you and avoid those people who do not take diabetes seriously. I respect you and your efforts. Dorisena

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