Unmedicated T2 Diabetic - sugar spikes - don't know why!!

... My problem is that, for the last few days, my sugar spikes up 30+ points after I eat breakfast. It is what I consider the "orange" range (145-200), meaning not normal but not in the "red" (200+) super high range...

First, please know that anything above 140mg/dl is causing damage, so you DO want to try to get levels more normalized if you can... it can take time (took me about 3 weeks to regularly be under 140mg/dl) but it's worth it for your health's sake.

I am not eating any carbs or sugar at breakfast and haven't changed my morning routine since I started on this journey. I had these same spikes when I first started the diet, but they stopped, so I assumed it was that my body had finally adjusted to my new lifestyle. Now they are up again.

If you're truly not eating any carbs, than more than likely it's one of a few things:

1. You're eating excessive protein. Diabetics have their best glycemic control when their dietary protein intake is 25% of their calories or less, many do best at 20%. The ONLY need to go above the 25% level is serious (like, competition-level serious) strength training for hypertrophy.

2. You're low-carb, but not low enough to become keto-adapted - which causes the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream as your fasting/post-prandial levels drop. The liver is really good at giving diabetics glucose, even in the absence of carbohydrate in the diet... As you normalize, the amount it gives you WILL reduce... but it takes time, even a couple months.

Any advice or ideas on what might be causing this? Some things I have considered are stress, lack of sleep and hormones. Since I am still new to all of this, I was hoping someone might have some insight.

What kind of macronutrient ratio are you following right now? Currently I do about 65-70% fat, under 10% carbohydrate (usually between 5-8%) and the rest protein, and that works great for control.

Stress can certainly do it. Even a cold will raise all my levels around 10% ...

My 1st suggestion would be to watch your macronutrient ratio to ensure you're not getting excessive protein as that IS converted to glucose...

My 2nd would be to add a small amount of carbohydrate, under 10 net grams, from berries or something else low-glycemic/high-fiber (but not a packaged low-carb product) to your breakfast, and see if that makes any difference in your breakfast post-prandial ...

Thanks for the help! I will try adding some veggies or something to an omelet instead of just having eggs. I have been avoiding fruit as well as carbs. I recently tried strawberries again and the first time, not a problem. Sugar was 123. Second time, a spike. I am still experimenting, for lack of a better term, with different foods to see what my body still can't process. I have looked around and read that it is common for women to experience some elevation in sugar levels during more hormonal times. I have a feeling this may be playing a part of it as well. I know this is a long journey and a life time commitment. I appreciate you being willing to help me out. There is so much information out there and I try to read it, but different sources say different things and I get frustrated and overwhelmed quite quickly. It is so much more helpful to me to have the voice of experience reason things out with me.

All said, I am happy to say that my sugar now RARELY goes over 130. It seems to have a happy home at around 120 after meals. I am sure it will continue to drop as I lose. Considering I started with it in the 250+ range just 5ish weeks ago, I am extremely happy with the progress!!

Firstly congratulations on getting things under control with diet.That's a great step for your health.

When you say "I have been avoiding fruit as well as carbs" it makes me wonder what you are eating. Fruits ARE carbs. Veggies are also carbs. I'm just mentioning this because it's important to understand what carbs are and aren't (and I see a lot of people on this site who don't understand). Carbs are things that break down to sugars. Anything from plants is carbs (along with fiber, and possibly protein, fats, vitamins and minerals). Of course not all carbs are equal, especially when it comes to how they effect your blood but they are still going to add glucose to your bloodstream.

If you can't control either the morning, or the after meal, glucose levels with diet and exercise, it is time for medication. The consequences of high glucose are guaranteed, the side effects of any medication only occur in a few cases. Go talk to your doctor and see what the options are.

In good control means being under 180, 2 hours after a meal.

No offense, but this is completely incorrect. That is not now and never has been good control.

Both the IDF (International Diabetes Federation) and the AACE (American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists) recommend being UNDER 140mg/dl for post-prandial targets. Anything above 140mg/dl is damaging the cardiovascular system. The science on this is VERY clear. Please do NOT listen to any person or organization that is recommending 180mg/dl levels at ANY time.

If you want good control and an excellent lipid profile, stop following the very-bad advice you've been given (and yes, I understand it was likely given by a dietician or the ADA or some similar organization, but it's still wrong) and adopt a low-carb eating plan.

I can link you to dozens of studies that show that a low-carb ketogenic dietary treatment for diabetics is superior to any other diet for glycemic control, weight-loss, insulin-sensitivity, the lipid profile (yes, high-fat/low-carb diets are what improve your serum cholesterol profile and get you off your statin drugs) and triglycerides, as well as other positive results.

I am type one diabetic for nearly 30 years and carbs is what usually raises your blood glucose. Since u are type 2, I suggest watching your carbs because that is what changes your sugars to larger numbers....

Please don't take medical advice from anyone on this site. You really need to speak to your diabetic nurse or doctor. I am a type 2 and my blood sugars are in a good range. I also take oral meds to help keep it in control. Loosing weight has helped tremendously.


Seriously though, contact someone like your diabetic nurse or doctor. Some of these people are giving you lousy advice and some of it is completely wrong.