When is the best time to test?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
When is the best time to test?
13
Tue, 11-13-2007 - 11:13am

I am confused about when is the best time for me to check my sugar? 


I get up at 3:30 AM to go to work so I usually test between then and 4 AM because I eat at 4 AM (4 days a week).   I eat lunch (at work) about 10:30 AM and dinner between 5 & 6 PM.  I don't allow myself to eat again until breakfast.  Three days a week I test at about 7 AM when I get up.  (I work 10 hour days/4 days a week)


I have noticed that my sugar count is up on the days I test later in the AM even though I follow my same routine.


Since I test once a day, when is the best time to test?


 

Pages

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 11-15-2007 - 11:17am

Sue,


Hi and good morning! You are testing the very best time but you really need to test at least occassionaly two hours after eating to see how you are really doing. What you are seeing when you test later is the effects of insulin resistance and your liver getting busy making glucose for the day. About 4AM your body starts getting ready for a busy day and your liver goes wild converting fats into glucose. Your pancreas tries to make insulin to convert this glucose into energy but it can't keep up or you can't use the insulin that is made so your blood sugar rises. Exercise is the easiest way to break this down and I hope that you are able to get 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week but I am sure this hard on the days that you work 10 hours.


I hope this answers your question and please feel free to ask anytime.



Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

follow me

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
Thu, 11-15-2007 - 12:21pm
I'm afraid the only exercise I get at 3:30 AM is my shower, and back and forth to the car and office.
Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 11-16-2007 - 1:46am
Could you try exercising at 4pm? I certainly mean for you to exercise that early in the morning. You don't need to exercise at the time that your system starts getting ready for the day. Exercise at anytime helps break down insulin resistance and allows your muscles to take in your blood sugar and to use it appropriately. Sorry if I confused you with my answer.


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

follow me

Pages