Blood sugar after workout was 42?
kamaperry
Posts: 885 Member
Should I be concerned?
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Replies
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Wow! That's a little scary! Do you check your BG before you work out? I had heart valve repair surgery several years ago and went through cardiac rehab after that. As a diabetic patient, they would not allow me to exercise unless my BG was 100 or above (or I had to drink a juice box - yuck). Do you eat before you work out? Are you on a medication that causes hypos?
You'll want to check out the factors that caused that extreme hypo and make adjustments. And maybe learn to identify when your BG is dropping - dizzy, nausea, shaking, confusion, etc. For me I get super hungry/nauseous, shaky, can't concentrate, and a weird tunnel vision. If I start feeling that way, I check my blood and have a fast acting carb to help raise it back to where it needs to be.0 -
How did you feel when you were exercising and afterwards? Cathy is right to test your blood sugar before exercise, and talk with your doctor about guidelines for blood sugar levels before exercise. Sometimes people will have a low blood sugar a few hours after exercise, especially if they've done more intense exercise for a longer period of time. I'm glad you tested! ~Lynn /Glucerna0
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If you're on insulin it's most-certainly wise to check your blood sugar before exercise, and a good idea to time some carbohydrate-intake to correspond to it.
I don't use bolus insulin currently, but I always target some carbohydrate-intake 30-45 minutes prior to heavy exercise to ensure I have the necessary glucose to fuel any exercise I do (especially as I do anaerobic / high-intensity exercise, which requires glucose.)
Continued testing is the key to finding the best balance here. Keep it up!0 -
And, if you are cutting carbs and are on insulin, you need to adjust your insulin as necessary. If you are on oral meds and are reducing your carbs, that would need to be adjusted as well.
That said, although I'm not on any medication any longer, I now reach a point where my blood sugars tend to go pretty low after extended exercise (running for a long time). I don't correct with carbs, absolutely not. Instead, I see the trend in my blood sugar. If it's in the 70s and I know I'm going to exercise that day, I space out my protein throughout the day.. an extra ounce here, another there, a bit more before exercise. It works really well as any protein your body does not use is converted to glucose (carbs). I keep in mind that whatever glucose (carbs) my body does not need at that time will be stored as fat, so it's important to tweak.
I used to consider lows as an excuse to eat carbs. No more! Responsible planning is better.0 -
I'm not on insulin, and I felt fine, just extremely hungry. I took it again tonite after my workout and it was 126. Much better. I will be watching it closer now.0
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It almost sounds like a faulty meter. I was under the impression that insulin was the only reason blood sugar would drop like that. Those 200+ carbs you are eating shouldn't read 42. I'd call your doctor about that.0
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I plan to.0
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At 42 most people would be experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia. I've fainted above that level. If I had a reading that low and wasn't experiencing symptoms, I'd wash my hands, get a new test strip and retest.
That said, even though the only med I'm on is metformin, I do sometimes get hypoglycemic after a workout. Even if I eat a high protein snack and test before working out. Even though it looks stupid, I have a little bag I carry around the gym with me that has a meter and two snacks in it. If I feel the slightest bit 'off' when I finish a workout I test just to make sure I'm not low.
Under normal circumstances my blood sugar is up right after exercising, so I know if I'm low it is going to be a a problem. I won't drive home from the gym until my sugar is above 80.0 -
I really think it was a faulty reading, if I had had more strips would have restested, but Ihad to get more. It was 106 today.0
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My doctor told me it is normal for blood sugar to be higher after a workout. I was advised not to test for 2 hours, and to eat something with protein immediately after working out.
So if it was that low, I'd think it was a faulty reading. See if a pattern emerges once you get more strips.0 -
I am, thanksMy doctor told me it is normal for blood sugar to be higher after a workout. I was advised not to test for 2 hours, and to eat something with protein immediately after working out.
So if it was that low, I'd think it was a faulty reading. See if a pattern emerges once you get more strips.0 -
It is generally true that blood sugar levels go up during and right after exercise. However, it is possible with extended exercise or if blood sugar is on the low side before starting to get hypoglycemic during and immediately after exercise. It has happened to me quite a few times and it is not faulty test strips.
I only test before exercise when it is my second workout of the day and I am concerned my blood sugar might not be above 80. Usually I time a protein rich snack 30 minutes to an hour before my afternoon workout to prevent problems. I don't test after exercise unless I'm feeling symptoms of hypoglycemia.0 -
Thanks, I have been adding a protein snack also, and it is helpingIt is generally true that blood sugar levels go up during and right after exercise. However, it is possible with extended exercise or if blood sugar is on the low side before starting to get hypoglycemic during and immediately after exercise. It has happened to me quite a few times and it is not faulty test strips.
I only test before exercise when it is my second workout of the day and I am concerned my blood sugar might not be above 80. Usually I time a protein rich snack 30 minutes to an hour before my afternoon workout to prevent problems. I don't test after exercise unless I'm feeling symptoms of hypoglycemia.0
