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Suggest Remedy For Fluctuations In The Fasting Blood Sugar Levels

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Posted on Wed, 18 Mar 2015
Question: Sometimes my fasting blood sugar is 102 to 118 upon waking but throughout the day is fine its been 117 or so going to bed and still read over 100 upon waking should i be concerned
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Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (12 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Blood glucose levels

Detailed Answer:
I see you have listed no medical conditions such as diabetes and are no medications.

So it appears you check your sugar readings with a hand held meter device using test strips.

1 There is no value in checking glucose readings in this manner in a person without diabetes

2 Capillary glucose results obtained from a meter do not accurately reflect true blood glucose readings that are measured in a blood sample taken from a vein in the arm (Venous blood sample).

3 The diagnostic cut-offs used by doctors for determining whether or not a person has diabetes versus pre diabetes (versus normal) are based upon venous blood samples.

4 However, it is good to note to you are concerned about your risk for developing diabetes.
So these meter readings, although 10-20% off, indicate a chance that you may have pre diabetes.
The only way to be sure is to undergo a fasting blood glucose test after 8 to 14 hours of an overnight fast.
You can further undergo a formal OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) where, after having taken your fasting blood sample, the lab technician will give you 75 grams of glucose mixed in water, to drink. Two hours following this, another blood sample will be taken to measure glucose levels.
These two test results will give you an exact idea as to your current status with regards to glucose handling by your body

5 But to answer your question simply: the meter readings of 100-120 that you are reporting are not concerning as in they are not alarmingly high and nowhere close to medically dangerous ones.
The main concern here is the gradual progression of this likely prediabetic condition to diabetes in due course of time, which can be prevented with appropriate lifestyle changes.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

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

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 1663 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Fluctuations In The Fasting Blood Sugar Levels

Brief Answer: Blood glucose levels Detailed Answer: I see you have listed no medical conditions such as diabetes and are no medications. So it appears you check your sugar readings with a hand held meter device using test strips. 1 There is no value in checking glucose readings in this manner in a person without diabetes 2 Capillary glucose results obtained from a meter do not accurately reflect true blood glucose readings that are measured in a blood sample taken from a vein in the arm (Venous blood sample). 3 The diagnostic cut-offs used by doctors for determining whether or not a person has diabetes versus pre diabetes (versus normal) are based upon venous blood samples. 4 However, it is good to note to you are concerned about your risk for developing diabetes. So these meter readings, although 10-20% off, indicate a chance that you may have pre diabetes. The only way to be sure is to undergo a fasting blood glucose test after 8 to 14 hours of an overnight fast. You can further undergo a formal OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) where, after having taken your fasting blood sample, the lab technician will give you 75 grams of glucose mixed in water, to drink. Two hours following this, another blood sample will be taken to measure glucose levels. These two test results will give you an exact idea as to your current status with regards to glucose handling by your body 5 But to answer your question simply: the meter readings of 100-120 that you are reporting are not concerning as in they are not alarmingly high and nowhere close to medically dangerous ones. The main concern here is the gradual progression of this likely prediabetic condition to diabetes in due course of time, which can be prevented with appropriate lifestyle changes.