Hoe Downs and Blood Glucose levels

[Callicrowe]

I've been posting about this on the 6-weekers thread but thought there might be others who would benefit from the information who aren't on that thread. (If you on on 6-weekers, some of this will be repetitive... bear with me).

The last two times I've had blood work done my A1c has been "borderline" at 5.7 or 5.8. I have a very strong family history of diabetes, so my health journey for years has had as a primary goal to manage my weight and other risk factors so I could avoid this disease. To that end, I asked my doctor if she thought self-monitoring my glucose levels would help me discover why my A1c remains borderline when I eat what I (and most people who know me) consider to be a healthy diet. So, armed with the basic information that my fasting glucose should be under 100, and my reading 2 hours after eating should be under 120, I got a meter and other supplies and started testing.

My basic testing for this month is once in the morning after getting up, and 2 hours after each meal, for a minimum of four times a day. After doing this for a few days I did some research online about glucose testing and learned that glucose levels generally peak an hour after eating, and that a reading at that time should be under 140. I've added this 1-hour test a few days, along with the 2-hour. A discussion on one website about when to test elicited the comment from the writer, "You will learn something every time you test, no matter when it is". So I've decided to test whenever I'm curious about it, being mindful that each test costs me 36 cents for the test strip, so I'm not going to get too crazy.

Another question in my mind was whether Hoe Downs really do cause one's blood sugar to drop. I've heard it here on the forums, and heard others say that it did for them, but would it work for me? I mentioned HDs to my doctor and she said it should work, as any exercise will lower your blood sugar. (She even had me show her what a HD was). So far I have experimented with this four times and each time my reading dropped. What I did was tested at my normal 2-hour mark, got up and did 2 HDs, then tested again immediately after doing the HDs. (I'm only trying this when my glucose reading is over 100, as I don't need it to drop if it's under 100).

So far my results are
121 to 111 (ten point drop)
109 to 103 (six point drop)
162 to 143 (19 point drop)
148 to 111 (37 point drop)

This isn't scientifically accurate, as there are margins of error for the meter itself, and I haven't tested twice in a row without doing HDs to see if the number would drop regardless of the HDs. But in spite of possible inaccuracies, over time I should be able to get a feel for how different foods and exercise affect my glucose levels and can then make adjustments to keep them more stable.

If anyone else has experimented with this, I'd love to hear your results and what you learned. I'm just two weeks into my own personal experiment and hope to continue at least another two weeks of daily testing. At that point I'll decide what I want to do. In three months I'll get more blood work done, hoping, of course, for an improvement. But if not, I'll have some data so the doctor and I can figure out what needs done.

And by the way, at the same time I started this experiment I joined up with Michelle's GM/MM thread and have made some adjustments in my eating habits in general. It just seemed to all come together to help me learn what my body needs. And maybe in the process I'll finally get rid of some of this stubborn, stubborn belly fat! (I hope, I hope. )

[eshlemania]

Peggy,
I have heard it said that the numbers continue to drop for a short time. So maybe a test right after and then 20 min later, at least once to see if it continues to drop. Then wait 20 min after HD to check.

[Callicrowe]

Peggy,
I have heard it said that the numbers continue to drop for a short time. So maybe a test right after and then 20 min later, at least once to see if it continues to drop. Then wait 20 min after HD to check.

Bev, could you clarify? The numbers continue to drop for a short time when? Maybe a test right after what? HDs?

[eshlemania]

I had read on the forum somewhere that the numbers will drop up to 20 minutes after you do the HD's.

[Callicrowe]

So you're saying that if I test immediately after HDs and then 20 minutes later I might see a further drop? That makes sense, and is probably true. Something else to consider. Thanks.

[T-Tappin2012]

I will try this tomorrow and let you know. I usually only test once a week or so as my diabetes is controlled by Metformin and exercise. I will test in the AM before eating, 2 hours after eating, then do HDs and test immediately after and then 20 minutes later. Is this right?

[Callicrowe]

Tammy, that would tell you what, if any, effect the HDs have on your glucose. Instead of 2 hours after eating you could test one hour after eating, which is when glucose is supposed to peak. I usually only do the HDs and re-testing if my numbers are over 100, as I don't really need them to drop if they are under 100. Also, you likely won't drop as much if your numbers are already good.

Do you just assume that your numbers are good as long as you are exercising and taking your meds? How often do you have to get blood work done? Just wondered.

[T-Tappin2012]

I will test it after 1 hour tomorrow. I get bloodwork done every 6 months and am scheduled on August 18th. I was diagnosed about 2 years ago and the last year and a half all tests were normal. 6 months ago my Metformin was cut in half and my readings in the morning are between 94 and 104 every time I test. If I am not feeling well I will test more often but I don't think they have ever been over 110 in the morning before eating. I haven't tested after eating in a long time so that will be interesting!

[Callicrowe]

Tammy, sounds like you have a handle on it. Good for you! So far most days I'm under 100 in the morning, with only a couple exceptions. My quest is to find out why my A1c comes out "borderline" and identify the foods that are problematic for me. I'm enjoying the learning process.

[Callicrowe]

I haven't been able to test out the HD theory the past few days. For three days in a row none of my readings have been high enough to need them. The highest I've tested in 104. That's a good thing, though. I'll be starting some 1-hour testing soon and that will certainly show higher numbers, as it is at 1 hour after a meal that the glucose is supposedly at its highest.

I made some homemade ice cream tonight and had a big bowl for dessert after dinner. I used coconut sugar and stevia to sweeten it, and used heavy cream and full fat goat milk. My glucose was a perfectly respectable 100 two hours after my meal.