Hello all,
I am a Type II diabetic, age 39. I am doing my best to control my glucose levels with diet and exercise. I would like to stay off medication as long as possible.
I have had decent results during the day, but I find that my night time and morning fasting sugars are high (averaging 6.5-7.5). Does anyone have any suggestions to help me get better results over night? I really appreciate your help. Thank you.
Hi Mr. Type 2. Welcome to TuDiabetes! I hope you will enjoy learning and sharing on this site.
I was diagnosed in 2004 and I have always had this problem. Many of us do. I have used meds without success. The only thing that has worked for me is a glass of wine with nuts or cheese at 10pm. There is a great site out there called bloodsugar101.com . There Jenny describes the Dawn Phenomenon which may be the problem. You can also go to the search at the top of the TuDiabetes Home Page (top right) and type in “Dawn Phenomenon” and you can read through the old threads. There are many great ideas. I hope one of them will work for you. Joanne
There are some very good medications for Type 2’s to help bring your BG to normal range. Especially as Type 2 , you want to preserve your beta cells as long as possible, so the sooner you get to a normal range the better it will be for you 30 years from now. I would consider medication to help drop you to a normal range.
Jim: Which T2 meds help to preserve beta cell function? Joanne
Normalizing your blood sugars will preserve. Not aware of any meds that will do that.
This may help you understand why it happens: I Ate Nothing! Why Are My BGs high?
I'm afraid the solution is usually a matter of trial and error.
Good goal to stay off meds, but don’t hesitate to use them if you need to. Judith is T2 & does beautifully with diet.
I’m T1 & had a terrible time with fasting BG. Dawn phenomenon is more a T1 situation, but T2s also struggle. In case this may help you, here goes. Dinner is typically the largest meal & when many are most carb sensitive/insulin resistant, so reducing evening carbs greatly helps. Evening is also when we’re least active as the body is gearing down. Not eating at least 5 hours before bed helped me. Avoiding high protein/high fat meals also lowered my fasting because protein/fat slow digestion.
If I don’t eat soon after waking, BG continues to increase as the liver dumps more glucose as a continuation of DP.
Each of us is different and getting your numbers down is the goal. Dont be afraid of medication because these high numbers are doing damage to your body causing a host of problems to you as each day passes.
I would talk to your Dr. about using some Metformin before you go to bed at night. That is the medication they start you out on as a T-2. Keep detailed records and show your Dr what is happening.
As others have said you are experiencing the dawn effect. Good Luck. Pauly
I’m much older than you, nearly 65, but dianosed about the same lengtrh of time. I was started on Metformin 3 x 500mg and gliclazide. Over the years, I have dropped the Gliclazide completely and reduced my Metformin to 2 x 500.
I eat strictly low carb and my usual range of fasting readings is from 4.1mmol/l [ 73mg/dl] to 4.7mmol/l [85mg/dl] I eat no carbs at all most of the time, so the occasional bite of something has little effect. I eat my last meal at about 7:00pm and then have my daily “Treat”.; a square of dark hazlenut chocolate… After that I don’t eat again until the morning. Currently I’m not getting DP, which used to be a problem. I think that since I’ve lost about 45 pounds, I’ve increased my insulin sensitivity. All my meals are SMALL. I don’t fill my plate. AND I’ve gone to a 10 inch plate for my main meal.[ I used to use a bigger one.] I admit it has taken some time to get used to this regime. I did eat tro “fullness” at one time. I no longer need to
It’s working for me and might not for someone else, but it can’t hurt and is worth a try!
Hana
PS I don’t drink alcohol, but don’t know if that is a consideration. I just don’t like the stuff.
Thank you everyone for your response and suggestions. I will try the strategies that are being recommended and will update on my results. Thanks again. Great website and community!!!
check your doctor and see if metformin helps. this assumes that midnight bg numbers good - sub 140 and no night time
food snacks late at night after dinner.