fasting glucose and a1c

[JD2020]

I just got the results of my annual blood work. Glucose increased from 100 to 110. a1c increased from 5.3 to 5.5. The only thing I've changed from the prior year is to add a 3 ounce shot of olive oil to breakfast for additional calories. 15 years ago my fasting glucose was 25 points less, and I ate way more carbs back then. I just turned 60 - is that the age when everything becomes more difficult?

I have my appointment with my ReCode doc in a couple of weeks. I have read the Wiki and other information. It seems that I need to know what is going on with my insulin. I'm going to ask for a GCM so I can see exactly what is going on. I have seen the impact of diabetes on my dad. I have been very critical of his lack of proactivity, so for my own sake and for the sake of not being a hypocrite, I must jump on this issue. I need to figure out how to eat in a way that maintains weight and reduces and then controls blood sugar.

I would love to hear specific experiences that people have had in reducing/controlling blood sugar. I am aware of the benefits of long fasts, and I am happy that that has worked for you, but for now, I cannot do that because I will get too thin. I am reaching out for other strategies. What did you change, and by how much were you able to lower these numbers?

Thanks for any feedback.

[mike]

I just got the results of my annual blood work. Glucose increased from 100 to 110. a1c increased from 5.3 to 5.5. The only thing I've changed from the prior year is to add a 3 ounce shot of olive oil to breakfast for additional calories. 15 years ago my fasting glucose was 25 points less, and I ate way more carbs back then. I just turned 60 - is that the age when everything becomes more difficult?

Your A1c is not bad. Fasting glucose can vary. I personally have a huge Dawn Effect, so my fasting glucose might be my high for the day. Can you tell me what your macros look like? What % or your calories come from protein, carbohydrates and fats? And what do your typical Carbs look like?

[TheresaB]

The ApoE4 wiki on Blood sugar has some ideas https://wiki.apoe4.info/wiki/Blood_Sugaron

[JD2020]

The ApoE4 wiki on Blood sugar has some ideas https://wiki.apoe4.info/wiki/Blood_Sugaron

Thanks Theresa, I have read it. I am looking for specific experiences - what has worked for others, and how much did it help.

Your A1c is not bad. Fasting glucose can vary. I personally have a huge Dawn Effect, so my fasting glucose might be my high for the day. Can you tell me what your macros look like? What % or your calories come from protein, carbohydrates and fats? And what do your typical Carbs look like?

Thanks for the response. I am more concerned about the direction than these particular numbers. In 15 years, I don't want fasting glucose to be 25 points higher, and why did it increase 10% from last year....that sort of thing.

Ok, your question re Chronometer. I guess the question itself suggest that I should start using it again. I haven't used it since the beginning of the year when I was eating to gain weight. Looking back, protein was 13%, carbs were 29%, fat was 58%. Carbs should be lower now. I was eating bread back then every day, which was helpful with weight gain. Carbs now come from milk (2%, A2, pasture raised), veggies, blueberries, brown rice 1 - 2 times per week, beans 2 - 3 times per week. I eat a sandwich every couple of weeks (real bread). I enjoy a couple of glasses of wine a couple of nights a week.

[mike]

Thanks for the response. I am more concerned about the direction than these particular numbers. In 15 years, I don't want fasting glucose to be 25 points higher, and why did it increase 10% from last year....that sort of thing.

Ok, your question re Chronometer. I guess the question itself suggest that I should start using it again. I haven't used it since the beginning of the year when I was eating to gain weight. Looking back, protein was 13%, carbs were 29%, fat was 58%. Carbs should be lower now. I was eating bread back then every day, which was helpful with weight gain. Carbs now come from milk (2%, A2, pasture raised), veggies, blueberries, brown rice 1 - 2 times per week, beans 2 - 3 times per week. I eat a sandwich every couple of weeks (real bread). I enjoy a couple of glasses of wine a couple of nights a week.

Your variation in fasting glucose could easily be 10%. If you really want to use fasting glucose as a long term measure, I would take around 3 or 4 in the morning before your dawn effect kicks in. I would track your dawn effect to see what it does to you - get up at 3 and then take BG every hour or so until it comes back down. It is good to understand your own situation. You want your glucose to come to your resting point every night. If you don't, you're starting your day behind. You will need to reduce carbs if this happens. I would shift to more protein and less carbs.
A couple of diet suggestions... Full Cream has 0 carbs, whereas 2% has a number. Go easy on any veggie grown underground (potatoes, carrots). Try to limit simple carbs like rice, bread or pasta. Brown better than white, but may need to eliminate completely. You will need to experiment, because everyone has a different ability to handle carbs. Limit fruit - stick to small amounts of berries. Tomatoes are fruit - salads can be dangerous, including the dressing. Blue Cheese is a good choice if you are eating dairy.

[JD2020]

Your variation in fasting glucose could easily be 10%.

Thanks, Mike, that is all very helpful.

[marymac]

I recommend keeping a food diary and using a glucose monitor every morning to check your fasting blood sugar. You will find that the morning reading will really fluctuate depending on what you ate the day/night before. I sometimes have readings over 100 in the morning, but sometimes it's in the 80s. One little trick that helps me keep it low in the morning is to eat dinner before 7 and then around 8:30 or so have a handful of nuts or seeds (I love pumpkin seeds). Just having a fasting check done with your annual bloodwork is not enough information to make a positive change.

[JD2020]

I got the CGM yesterday. It is pretty interesting. I think I am going to learn a lot.

We went on our hike this morning, which we do 4 x per week. My glucose spiked to over 200! Libreview says that I was in that range for about 1/2 hour. Tomorrow I will see what weight lifting does. Exercise glucose spikes impact a1c, right? So if someone added exercise and changed nothing else, a1c would increase, correct?

[mike]

I got the CGM yesterday. It is pretty interesting. I think I am going to learn a lot.

We went on our hike this morning, which we do 4 x per week. My glucose spiked to over 200! Libreview says that I was in that range for about 1/2 hour. Tomorrow I will see what weight lifting does. Exercise glucose spikes impact a1c, right? So if someone added exercise and changed nothing else, a1c would increase, correct?

I find it depends on the type of exercise - If I'm playing volleyball it will spike (pun intended), but then come down after quickly. I'm very low carb, so usually run off ketones, but with the higher effort I need more energy and my body raises the BG. If I walk the dogs, BG doesn't change much as the ketones are enough. Exercise will lower your BG in the end. Weight training and building muscle also helps with BG. Exercise is also VERY important for protecting against AD. A1c is only an average measure and doesn't tell you anything about the variation - Your BG peaks are likely causing the most damage.

[JD2020]

Exercise is also VERY important for protecting against AD.

Thank you for the ongoing conversation. I am so happy that I enjoy my exercise. Can you imagine trying to implement this program if you hated to exercise, resented the time commitment? My BG did not spike during today's hike....I wonder why the difference.

Here is today's question: Can BG spike at a moment's notice? If so, then what is the relevance of fasting glucose? You could get stuck in traffic, spike BG, and the test result would be more of an indicator of stress than anything else.

I ask because last night I was having a calm night. For example, Libreview shows that for the 2 am hour, my BG was between 73 and 80. But then for the 3 am hour, it was between 79 and 126. The cat started making the noises that she makes when she's about to puke. She was on our bed and woke me up from a dead sleep. In that instant, I had to hold her to keep her from moving onto the cover that would need dry cleaning and reach to the floor to get my robe for her to puke on (currently now in the washing machine). So...much sudden excitement. I took a reading when it was all resolved and saw the 126. So again, can BG spike in a heartbeat in response to the sudden need to react?