At the moment, my diabetes affects my health in a number of ways.
I get tired and have headaches a lot, particularly in the evenings if my blood sugars have varied rapidly through the day. Let me give you an example from today.
I ate rubbish last night, so despite having my regular 24 units of Lantus, my Blood Sugars this morning were 18.4 mmol/l. I had breakfast at about 8.45 in work (it was an apple, so maybe 15g of Carbohydrate? By Lunchtime (14.00) my sugars were as low as 5.6. I had a chicken sanwich (brown bread, woo hoo!) for which I took 5 units (I guessed) and my blood sugars were back to 10.6 by 18.00. for food I had curry and rice (from a tin, I couldnt be bothered to cook) and a glass of orange juice. My estimate for the Carbs came to 120g, so I had 12 units of insulin. About 30 mins after eating they were 14.4, so not a winner. Anyway, I'm guessing its all the 'ups and downs' that make me feel like this.
I get tired and have headaches a lot, particularly in the evenings if my blood sugars have varied rapidly through the day. Let me give you an example from today.
I ate rubbish last night, so despite having my regular 24 units of Lantus, my Blood Sugars this morning were 18.4 mmol/l. I had breakfast at about 8.45 in work (it was an apple, so maybe 15g of Carbohydrate? By Lunchtime (14.00) my sugars were as low as 5.6. I had a chicken sanwich (brown bread, woo hoo!) for which I took 5 units (I guessed) and my blood sugars were back to 10.6 by 18.00. for food I had curry and rice (from a tin, I couldnt be bothered to cook) and a glass of orange juice. My estimate for the Carbs came to 120g, so I had 12 units of insulin. About 30 mins after eating they were 14.4, so not a winner. Anyway, I'm guessing its all the 'ups and downs' that make me feel like this.
That brings me on to a question, how long after eating should sugars return to normal? Well...
Here are what doctors currently believe to be non-diabetic readings:
Fasting blood sugar
under 100 mg/dl (5.5 mmol/L)
One hour after meals
under 140 mg/dl (7.8 mmol/L)
Two hours after meals
under 120 mg/dl (6.6 mmol/L)
The American College of Clinical Endocrinologists recommends that people with diabetes keep their blood sugars under 140 mg/dl (7.8 mmol/L) two hours after eating.
So there, just tested (now about 90 minutes since my meal) and they were 11.3. Obviously still too high but we'll see what happens tonight...
Here are what doctors currently believe to be non-diabetic readings:
Fasting blood sugar
under 100 mg/dl (5.5 mmol/L)
One hour after meals
under 140 mg/dl (7.8 mmol/L)
Two hours after meals
under 120 mg/dl (6.6 mmol/L)
The American College of Clinical Endocrinologists recommends that people with diabetes keep their blood sugars under 140 mg/dl (7.8 mmol/L) two hours after eating.
So there, just tested (now about 90 minutes since my meal) and they were 11.3. Obviously still too high but we'll see what happens tonight...
