HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

How Long After Eating Does Blood Sugar / Insulin Go Up?

Posted on Wed, 25 Feb 2015

Question: How long after eating does blood sugar/insulin go up? Is it immediate after swallowing first bite or later?

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Around 1.5 hours after eating

Detailed Answer:
Good day
Digestion starts in mouth itself and completes in stomach and intestine. blood sugar start rising while chewing itself but peaks 1.5 hours after a meal. hence insulin also peaks around 1.5 to 2 hours after eating.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (6 hours later)

So if I eat oatmeal & after first few bites dont feel well (lightheaded), could that be fromindulin response

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
UNLIKELY

Detailed Answer:
Not really. It doesn't seems so. Best confirmed by doing a blood glucose test at the point when you feel light headed

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (4 hours later)

If glucose is normal can it still be insulin

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Glucose can be normal at the expense of high insulin level. USually if the blood sugar is normal, you may not develop lightheadedness. However, if it falls too rapidly, ( even if it is in normal range) you may feel lightheadness.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (9 hours later)

How long after eating would the drop happen?

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Pronounced second phase insulin release

Detailed Answer:
Usual drop is between 1.5 hours to 2 hours. Insulin secretion has two phases. Fisrt phase and second phase. First phase release is fast and happens soon after eating, even while chewing. LAter on there is a second phase which will happen around 45 minutes and peaks by 1.5 hrs. In people with prediabetes and insulin reistance, usually te first phase insulin secretion is impaired and there is an exaggerated second phase insulin release

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (4 hours later)

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Aerobic exercise and weight loss

Detailed Answer:
I hope it is clear to you now. As I explained earlier, not to worry. Weight loss and regular aerobic exercise ( walking/Swimming/Jogging) can reverse metabolic syndrome ( Insulin resistance). I do have personal experience too.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (8 hours later)

Thx. I notice my glucose increases a bit during menstration is that normal?

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Possible

Detailed Answer:
Yes, menstrual periods cause lots of hormone fluctuation which can have an impact on blood glucose levels. I have seen many diabetes patients with fluctuation blood glucose during periods

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (25 minutes later)

Normally 2hrs after meal my glucose is 92-94, on menstration is 100-104.

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
That is normal

Detailed Answer:
That is still in normal range. As long as it is in the range, please do not worry. After a meal, we can accept glucose level up to 140 as normal

Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar