I went out and bought a meter (brand is FreeStyle). This may seem like a silly question, but when should I take the test? When you your "fasting" number, does that just mean before you eat anything in the morning? I know next to nothing on the subject... Should I test myself before and after I eat to see if there is a big jump?

I do not have blood sugar problems at all, but my doctor talked to me about eating very low sugar and carbs for the nerves. The right supplements too of course. For my dysautonomia.

I have a meter and it has REALLY helped me learn what foods raise the glucose level. The level doesn't get too high and goes down quickly, but the nerves like to be kept at a level glucose number so the meter is great. Great tool, just like a bp machine.

It is good to test when you wake up. I don't do that much now, but good to know what your usual level is.

Good to test one hour and two hours after eating. Especially if carbs are eaten.

I like one hour because that shows how high it gets and not just how it is two hours later.

After you test for a while, you probably won't have to as often unless you do have blood sugar problems.

Thanks for your reply, Sally. I was actually tested for dysautonomia, and am still awaiting the results.

I'm going to try to make sense of the device tomorrow and see if I can figure out how it works, after that I'll post the numbers here.

This is a really scary thing to go through (as I'm sure you all know quite well), so I really appreciate everyone posting in the thread and helping out. You're very nice people!

My personal research has shown me some things that are not necessarily main stream dr thinking, so of course do your own research and/or follow a dr advice.

I believe when your number hits 140 and above, then damage can begin to your body/organs. So for me, my goal is to stay below 140.

I tested like crazy when I first got my meter, but as I learn what I can and can not eat I don't test as often, but the first 2 months, ALL the time.

I keep a daily record of all my numbers, what I eat, meds, and supplements. I tested every morning before eating anything, which is your fasting number. When you buy a meter, the number can be within 10 pts up or down, especially cheaper ones, but I simply go by what the meter says.

The most important number is 1 HR pm, which is post meal or 1 hour after eating. You start the hour at the minute you BEGIN to eat a meal or snack. 1 Hr PM will tell you what your PEAK is, which is most important. Then again you check at 2 hr PM. At the 1hr mark it should be its highest, at the 2hr pm it should be coming back down to normal. If it is not coming back down, could be insulin resistant.

Fasting number should always be below 99 to a doctor but for me, I want it below 95.

HOWEVER. There is some research that shows if you are doing a very low carb diet, where you are in ketosis, your numbers will be 10 pts higher and you can deduct that. I am doing very low carb so if my fasting number is 100 I deduct 10 from that.

Also, the glucose tolerence test the dr does is a sugar drink, but you can test yourself by eating 1 cup of cooked white rice and then test 1 hr pm. Mine was scary, but at least I learned from it.

This is my personal opinion.

good luck

p.s. if you do find you have high numbers, flaxseed in your diet is amazing at helping to stablize your sugar. Not to mention all the other benefits. And yes, it is scary, but knowledge is power, so learn all you can so that you can be in control of the situation instead of it controlling you.

I have never heard of the brand you bought, hopefully it does not require coding and it is a simple meter. It was confusing learning how to do it, if you need help just ask.

Stacy, I stay lower than 120 for my nerves. Like you, I learned what the foods are that make numbers go higher. Cutting those foods does the trick for me. Keeps number even.

Meters are so good for everyone.

Yes, the PEAK is why I test at one hour.

My fasting is usually 75-80, I test once in a while, but it is always good.

I drink apple cider vinegar to help with kidney stones, but it is great for keeping glucose level also. I eat cinnamon for the same reason.

Exercise keeps the glucose level down, so important to do that. I do all I can even though my levels are always good. Most people don't realize how high it can get after eating some foods.

wow Sally, 120 is low. My peaks are usually 125 to 135 depending if I splurge on carbs or not. But even keeping it in that range is a VERY low carb diet.

You must not have any insulin problems at all to be able to stay in those ranges. i wish I could.

My goal is to stay below 140. Staying below 120 would be next to impossable. My fasting is always around 90 to 100. I can't seem to ever get it below 90

But I am thankful I am controlling it.

I have no insulin problems at all. I keep simple carbs low for sure since they are not needed. I DO drink Cola when I have nausea- that happens with Dysautonomia. I LOVE Cola but I only drink a bit when I need it. I drink cola with real sugar, not corn fructose.

No rice, and VERY few of my favorite....... french fries. About 8 fries once a week.

My carbs come in good sources like oatmeal in my daily smoothie and I love to eat it with cinnamon also. My sugar is coconut palm sugar. Carbs in fruits and veggies, I get a lot of that. I have an amazing smoothie every day.

Hubby makes corn tortillas, tostadas once a week. When we fry shrimp or okra, it is with corn meal. Carbs there. I do get plenty. The brain has to have them. I just don't eat the simple and junky ones.

Oh, I don't eat bread. That isn't needed. No dessert.

I DO make a dark choc. candy with coconut manna and coconut sugar (2 tsp) and it is SOOOO GOOD and healthful!!! My hubby and I love food, love to eat out and cook wonderful things.

Sure helped to cut back on the sugar and carbs. Good for the nerves, brain. At the same time, eating lots of nutrient dense foods and supplements.

Oh, last night, hubby made crab legs and salad with apples and blue cheese. YUM. He is a great cook. I help him sometimes, but since I feel better, I usually clean up after him which is wonderful. For three years, I couldn't do that. He works all day so I am happy I can do more now.
We had lettuce wraps tonight with chicken, mushrooms, water chesnut and sauce. LOVE that.

I am so glad you are controlling your levels. Great job!

Wish I could eat that way, but even fruit raises my numbers. The carbs I do eat must be eaten with protien and complex carbs, I don't drink ANYTHING but water, but that was a choice I made years ago, thankfully it's not difficult for me. So many people say they hate water or can't stand it. I drink close to a gallon a day..or less.

Even cooked oatmeal will skyrocket my numbers.

It is good you know that. It is potatoes and rice for me. Oatmeal works fine thankfully since it is good for me and I love it.

The thing I always think of is that doctors that take your fasting and even the A1 C test still don't learn how your body reacts daily. Would be nice if everyone could see numbers get high after one hour on some carbs they eat and think are fine.

People can spike or get low numbers and never know. Their nerves suffer and they have no idea when they feel all is fine with all testing. Oh well.

SO TRUE.

I was visiting in Florida a couple weeks ago and for fun I check my mom's and her husbands numbers 1 hr after eating. Mind you, both are in their 70's and are always at the dr for something. Both have been checked for diabetes, both fasting and A1C and were good, moms was 5.1.

Anyway, her husbands number: 301

wow! I never saw my meter blink before!! So I looked it up and everything i read said SEE A DOCTOR.

My moms was 198. Not good.

They bought a meter.

He went to a dr while I was still there and of course the dr didnt believe it and wont until HE is the one to diagnose it. :rolleyes

The dietician told him to eat fruit, cereal, etc. in small amounts.

WHAT???

When this guy eats fruit his number soars.

I have no faith in doctors. I simply use them.