Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Why Is My Blood Sugar Rising While Fasting?
Question: I don't have a diagnosis of diabetes I'm not overweight I do strength training and I occasionally do intermittent fasting. I take my blood sugar occasionally out of interest. I haven't eaten today last meal yesterday at 6pm blood sugar was 4.6 at 9:30 am and now at 12:30pm still fasting it has gone up to 11.6 (I'm in New Zealand so don't know how that translates.....so why is my blood sugar rising while fasting and is this a worry that needs further investigation...feel a little weak but getting on with the day...will eat a meal mid afternoon Thanks, XXXX
Brief Answer:
Glucose
Detailed Answer:
Indeed the readings are unusual. I have converted them to US style values and it equates to 83 and 206. Despite fasting it is uncommon for glucoses to rise although the liver can pour glucose into the blood stream in select situations but even then this is odd
The best way to elucidate this is to undergo a formal glucose tolerance test. In pre diabetes or early type 2 diabetes, such variability can occur
The standard protocol to perform this gold standard test is as follows:
OGTT PROTOCOL FOR NON PREGNANT ADULTS TO SCREEN FOR DIABETES
1 OGTT = ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST
2 PLEASE FAST OVERNIGHT FOR 8 TO 14 HOURS
3 IT IS ALL RIGHT TO DRINK WATER AND TAKE ALL/ANY OF YOUR PILLS BEFORE THE TEST IN THE MORNING
4 DO NOT RESTRICT YOUR USUAL DIETARY CARBOHYDRATE INTAKE DURING THE 3 DAYS PRECEDING THE TEST.
5 AFTER THE FIRST BLOOD SAMPLE IS TAKEN FOR BLOOD GLUCOSE AT 0 HOURS, YOU WILL BE OFFERED A GLUCOSE DRINK THAT CONTAINS 75 GRAMS OF GLUCOSE IN WATER. PLEASE DRINK THAT WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AND BE SEATED FOR 2 HOURS.
6 DURING THESE 2 HOURS PLEASE DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING NOR SHOULD YOU WALK AROUND. WATER IS OK. YOU MAY READ SOMETHING IF YOU WISH, WHILE SEATED
7 EXACTLY 120 MINUTES AFTER YOUR FIRST BLOOD SAMPLE WAS TAKEN, YOU WILL BE CALLED FOR A SECOND BLOOD DRAW FOR CHECKING BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS
8 THIS CONCLUDES THE TEST
9 PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO NEED FOR ANY URINE SAMPLE, EVEN IF THE LABORATORY INSISTS ON IT
10 FURTHER, THERE IS NO NEED TO HAVE BLOOD SAMPLES TAKEN MORE THAN TWICE AT THE ABOVE RECOMMENDED PRECISE TIMES. REFUSE SUCH INCORRECT TESTING EVEN IF THE LABORATORY PERSONNEL INSIST
Furthermore, to address your thyroid I would recommend the following tests to see if the dose is correct and if you truly have hypothyroidism:
TSH
Free T4
Anti thyroid peroxidase antibodies
Anti thyroglobulin antibodies
Glucose
Detailed Answer:
Indeed the readings are unusual. I have converted them to US style values and it equates to 83 and 206. Despite fasting it is uncommon for glucoses to rise although the liver can pour glucose into the blood stream in select situations but even then this is odd
The best way to elucidate this is to undergo a formal glucose tolerance test. In pre diabetes or early type 2 diabetes, such variability can occur
The standard protocol to perform this gold standard test is as follows:
OGTT PROTOCOL FOR NON PREGNANT ADULTS TO SCREEN FOR DIABETES
1 OGTT = ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST
2 PLEASE FAST OVERNIGHT FOR 8 TO 14 HOURS
3 IT IS ALL RIGHT TO DRINK WATER AND TAKE ALL/ANY OF YOUR PILLS BEFORE THE TEST IN THE MORNING
4 DO NOT RESTRICT YOUR USUAL DIETARY CARBOHYDRATE INTAKE DURING THE 3 DAYS PRECEDING THE TEST.
5 AFTER THE FIRST BLOOD SAMPLE IS TAKEN FOR BLOOD GLUCOSE AT 0 HOURS, YOU WILL BE OFFERED A GLUCOSE DRINK THAT CONTAINS 75 GRAMS OF GLUCOSE IN WATER. PLEASE DRINK THAT WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AND BE SEATED FOR 2 HOURS.
6 DURING THESE 2 HOURS PLEASE DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING NOR SHOULD YOU WALK AROUND. WATER IS OK. YOU MAY READ SOMETHING IF YOU WISH, WHILE SEATED
7 EXACTLY 120 MINUTES AFTER YOUR FIRST BLOOD SAMPLE WAS TAKEN, YOU WILL BE CALLED FOR A SECOND BLOOD DRAW FOR CHECKING BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS
8 THIS CONCLUDES THE TEST
9 PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO NEED FOR ANY URINE SAMPLE, EVEN IF THE LABORATORY INSISTS ON IT
10 FURTHER, THERE IS NO NEED TO HAVE BLOOD SAMPLES TAKEN MORE THAN TWICE AT THE ABOVE RECOMMENDED PRECISE TIMES. REFUSE SUCH INCORRECT TESTING EVEN IF THE LABORATORY PERSONNEL INSIST
Furthermore, to address your thyroid I would recommend the following tests to see if the dose is correct and if you truly have hypothyroidism:
TSH
Free T4
Anti thyroid peroxidase antibodies
Anti thyroglobulin antibodies
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
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
