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Why Is My Fasting Blood Sugar High In The Morning

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Have A Protein/fat Snack

Why is my sugar high in the morning?

This is something to try the night before, but you can do it first thing in a morning if youre not going to eat your breakfast right away. Protein and healthy fats break down slowly in the body. This means the length of time you will fast is technically shorter: since it takes more time to get rid of the food and create the empty space.

Youll hear that cheese before bed is bad for you. It gives you nightmares because your digestive system is still working while you sleep. Well, sometimes its worth putting up with the initial nightmares to keep your glucose levels to a minimum on a morning.

So, what can you do on a morning instead? Start your day with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and eat a slice of cheese. The two working together will help to balance out the hormones and get your digestive system working sooner than if you waited for breakfast.

Cheese is the protein/fat element, but the apple cider vinegar will have a direct effect on the blood sugar levels. Scientists havent worked out why it is so effective, but it has been proven. Check out more info on what kind of cheese can a diabetic eat here

You can also have a handful of nuts to get the same benefit. The nuts will also give you the selenium that your body needs to help balance out some of your hormones. You can keep nuts in your draw beside your bed to grab a handful before you get up!

Possible Ways To Try To Lower Fasting Levels

  • Go for a walk after your evening meal exercise has a insulin type effect on the bodys cells which can impact many hours after and so may help lower fasting levels
  • Eat less carbohydrates in your evening meal although remember that it is important to still eat sufficient carbohydrates to avoid ketosis, so carbs must not be completely cut from the meal
  • Drink plenty of water take a glass of water to bed and have a drink when waking in the night
  • Eat a bedtime snack eating a snack before bed has been the biggest success with ladies in our support group. A snack which is high in protein and natural fat is believed to work best. Start with something like a couple of oatcakes and cheese, or a Ryvita with peanut butter. If this does not impact fasting levels, then try a high protein snack without the starchy carbohydrates
  • Apple cider vinegar drink 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar at bedtime with 1 oz of cheese. A small study9 in type 2 diabetic patients found that drinking 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar and eating 1 oz cheese lowered fasting levels by 4%

Some ladies with gestational diabetes have had great success with apple cider vinegar and so its worth trying if you have the stomach for it!

Please note: As vinegar is acidic, it is advisable to dilute it in some water and brush teeth after consuming

How Are You Sweetening Your Coffee What You Add To Your Cup May Affect Your Blood Sugar Levels

Whether you were recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or have been living with the condition for several years, you know how fickle blood sugar levels can be, and how important it is that they stay controlled.

Proper blood sugar control is key for warding off potential diabetes complications, such as kidney disease, nerve damage, vision problems, stroke, and heart disease, according to the National Institutes of Health . Plus, keeping your levels in check on a daily basis can help you stay energized, focused, and in a good mood, explains Lisa McDermott, RD, CDCES, a diabetes specialist with the Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Health Network.

According to the American Diabetes Association , proper medication, effective meal planning, regular exercise, and regular blood sugar checks can all help you keep your levels within a healthy range. The ADA recommends blood glucose stay within 80 to 130 milligrams per deciliter before meals and below 180 mg/dL two hours after the start of a meal. Furthermore, the organization recommends getting an A1C test, which measures your average blood glucose over the past two to three months, at least twice per year if your levels are stable and you are meeting treatment goals.

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Fasting Glucose Vs A1c

Hello, I’ve never been concerned about diabetes before as my fasting blood glucose levels have always been under 100.However, my last fasting glucose test as well as my husband’s were both high .The doctor had us return for A1c tests which were in the normal range .Based on that, the doctor assumed we had eaten something before the fasting test and said, ‘see you in 3 months’.But we didn’t eat anything. I do have doubts about the fasting results because my doctor uses his own lab.While I know it must be state regulated, we have gotten strange results in the past from this lab.I told my 80-year Mother about it and she showed me several of her blood test results from years ago that showed her fasting glucose levels were as high as 123, however, her last blood test showed 97.So…why did she have such high levels in the past and now her readings are normal?She does not have diabetes.What would cause high fasting glucose other than diabetes or pre-diabetes?I’m very confused and would appreciate any insight into this.Thank you.Continue reading > >

Intermittent Fasting High Blood Sugar

Why Is Blood Sugar High In The Morning?

Some people may also get high blood sugar while intermittent fasting notjust in the morning.

Elevated blood sugarduring a fast happens usually around the initial parts of the fasting window ataround the 14-20 hour mark. This is so because of insulin and glucagon.

  • Whenever youre fasting or not getting enough carbohydrates from food your blood glucose drops slightly.
  • In response to lower blood glucose, the pancreas releases glucagon, which starts breaking down liver glycogen.
  • Stored glycogen raises blood sugar to maintain glucose homeostasis and give energy to the brain.
  • As blood sugar rises, the pancreas produces insulin, which helps to clear the bloodstream from glucose and lower it down to a normal range.
  • Insulin and glucagon counterbalance each other all the time. Fluctuations in blood sugar during fasting reflect this dance.

After 24 hours of fasting, your liver glycogen stores should be depletedand the liver then starts producing ketones. These energy molecules are derivedfrom your body fat and they substitute glucose.

Recommended Reading: What To Eat While Intermittent Fasting

Understand Cortisol And Its Impact On Blood Glucose

We all live stressful lives, but some of us have a harder time reducing or releasing our stress. That fact may play out in restlessness, poor sleep, insomnia, or feelings of anxiety or constant tension. Cortisol is the stress hormone that mediates the fight or flight physiologic response. And it has a direct bearing on our glucose levels.

Prolonged cortisol stimulation will raise blood glucose levels, notes Dr. Jason Fung, who wrote an entire chapter on the stress hormone in his 2016 bestseller The Obesity Code.8 In it he describes how cortisol, released from the adrenal glands, sends a message to the body to release glucose to prepare for a perceived threat, spurring gluconeogenesis in the liver. In prehistoric times, that surge of glucose energy was usually used up fighting or fleeing from the threat. But in current days, often that stress goes unreleased, the energy not used, which can lead to prolonged higher glucose levels

I, too, discovered the same stress impact, especially with sleep. Since this spring, I am doing yoga in the early evening, focusing on other stress reduction activities and wearing earplugs and an eye shade to help ensure a better night sleep. Doing so drops my FBG back into the normal range the next morning.

Drinking a glass or two of wine at night can lower readings, too, because the liver metabolizes the alcohol first before turning to gluconeogenesis, but I dont want to drink daily.

Why Are Fasting Glucose Levels High

If you have high fasting blood glucose numbers, it may be because of how your body is using the hormones involved with glucose and diabetes — not the nighttime snack before bed. Read on to see what can cause high morning blood sugars.

Pictured Recipe: Air-Fryer Crispy Chickpeas

Stumped by high fasting blood glucose results? Join the club. “It just doesn’t compute. When I snack before bed, my fastings are lower than when I limit my night nibbles,” says Pete Hyatt, 59, PWD type 2.

“It’s logical for people to point the finger for high fasting blood sugar numbers at what they eat between dinner and bed, but surprisingly food isn’t the lead villain,” says Robert Chilton, M.D., a cardiologist and professor of medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The true culprit is compromised hormonal control of blood glucose levels.

Related: 12 Healthy Ways to Lower Your Blood Sugar

The Essential Hormones

During the years that type 2 diabetes develops, the hormonal control of blood glucose breaks down. Four hormones are involved in glucose control:

Insulin, made in the beta cells of the pancreas, helps the body use glucose from food by enabling glucose to move into the body’s cells for energy. People with type 2 diabetes have slowly dwindling insulin reserves.

Glucagon, made in the alpha cells of the pancreas, breaks down glucose stored in the liver and muscles and releases it to provide energy when glucose from food isn’t available.

Recommended Reading: How Long Before You Lose Weight On Intermittent Fasting

Measuring Blood Sugar Balance

So, as you can see, it is not as simple as looking at a single isolated blood sugar value when determining if your elevated fasting blood sugar is a reason for concern. If your blood sugar is concern to you, there are a number of other values that are actually much more helpful. These include:

Fasting Insulin: A high fasting insulin will be a sign of insulin resistance, especially accompanied by an elevated blood sugar

Hemoglobin A1C : Gives insight into blood sugar balance over the last 3 months, an elevated value would signify poor blood sugar control and potentially diabetic conditions

C-Reactive Protein: An inflammatory marker highly correlated with blood sugar, an elevated value would signify poor blood sugar balance as well as potential increased risk of several chronic diseases

HOMA-IR: This is a key measurement for understanding insulin resistance. HOMA-IR is actually a simple equation that multiplies fasting glucose by fasting insulin . This total is then divided by 405. The following ranges are then compared:

Less than 1 = Optimal Insulin Sensitivity

Above 1.9 = Early stage insulin resistance

Greater than 2.9 = Significant Insulin Resistance

Essentially, HOMA-IR looks at the relationship between insulin and glucose in your body rather than each as a separate value. I learned about the HOMA-IR and got the ideas for this graphic below from our friends at Heads Up Health.

What Causes High Blood Sugar

Why are my Morning Fasting Blood Sugar Levels high?

A variety of things can trigger an increase in blood sugar level in people with diabetes, including:

  • stress
  • missing a dose of your diabetes medicine or taking an incorrect dose
  • overtreating an episode of low blood sugar
  • taking certain medicines, such as steroids

Occasional episodes of hyperglycaemia can also occur in children and young adults during growth spurts.

Also Check: What Time Should I Do Intermittent Fasting

Try Changing Your Exercise Timing

Your body only has two major storage pools for glucose: the muscles and the liver. Late evening exercise â particularly if it is long in duration or high-intensity â can significantly deplete those stores. Combined with inadequate re-fueling, some people can experience hypoglycemia the following morning.

How Is It Determined If The Dawn Phenomenon Or Somogyi Effect Is Causing The High Blood Sugar Levels

Your doctor will likely ask you to check your blood sugar levels between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. for several nights in a row. If your blood sugar is consistently low during this time, the Somogyi effect is suspected. If the blood sugar is normal during this time period, the dawn phenomenon is more likely to be the cause.

Some additional clues that the Somogyi effect may be the cause include nightmares, restless sleep and overnight sweating as these are all signs of low blood sugar levels.

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Finding The Cause Of Your Morning Blood Sugar High

Though the three most likely causes of high morning blood sugar can all be treated, first you have to know which one is the source of your condition. “If youre not sure, you might have to take the somewhat inconvenient step of waking up to check your blood sugar levels in the middle of your sleep pattern ” suggests Amori. Heres why:

  • Consistent blood sugar from bedtime until about 3 a.m. and then a rise suggests the dawn phenomenon.
  • Low blood sugar at 3 a.m. suggests the Somogyi effect.
  • Blood sugar that increases from bedtime to 3 a.m. and then is even higher when you wake is probably due to waning insulin.

Using a continuous glucose monitor enables you to get this information without having to wake up for it. “These monitors potentially help identify patterns and severity of high and low blood sugars,” explains Amori.

Controlling For Monitor Accuracy

Reasons for High Blood Sugars in the Morning

Oftentimes I have seen that certain blood sugar monitors can have off readings every now and then. If you have an elevated reading that seems unexpected, take the same measure 2 more times and average the values, oftentimes an elevated reading can be a monitor malfunction.

Other things to consider are any kind of residues that are present on the surface that you tested. For example, if you recently held a piece of fruit or used a product that contained sugar then this can also throw off your monitor.

Make sure you wash the testing area thoroughly before testing and take multiple readings to ensure accuracy.

Monitoring both ketones and fasting blood sugar can be extremely helpful as well. This is because if your ketones are elevated at the same time as a slightly elevated blood sugar reading, this is a good gauge that you are still in ketosis. As I describe above, this scenario may be more likely to be adaptive glucose refusal. My favorite 2-in-one monitor is the Keto Mojo.

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Your Task: 21 Day Lower Blood Sugar Challenge

  • Re-evaluate your blood sugar goals you may already be within the healthy range, and thats great keep up the great work so you can keep them there! If youre not, continue to work toward making diet and lifestyle changes because the more you can regulate your daily levels, the higher chance you have of your fasting levels coming within range.
  • Implement some strategies one of the most useful strategies to lower morning levels is to take apple cider vinegar with cheese at bedtime. Weve seen this work well for many people. And even participants in the challenge have been trying it with success. See the details above on how to take it.
  • Commit to yourself and apply what we share because we know what we share can help you get results.

    Not part of the challenge? for the best diabetic nutrition and health info you can find on the web!

    Please pin, tweet or share this info to help others thanks!

    TESTIMONIAL:I used your program after I found out I was Type 2. It has been over a year and with your program and the great information in it, I have been able to keep my A1C at a 6 it started out around 9.5! Thanks for all your help. ~Joann B, DMP Member

    No More High Blood Sugar In The Morning

    Its important to recognise that morning hyperglycemia is fairly normal: its usually your body trying to get you ready for the day .But you can help your body help itself by trying out some changes in your routine or medication. And Hedia wants to help you to help your body to help itself! Give yourself a good morning by visiting the App Store and

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    Take The Medication Unless Your Doctor Tells You Otherwise

    Your doctor isnt medicating you for the sake of it. There are certain health problems that will require medication to help you control your levels. This is the case with diabetes.

    Its important to visit your doctor regularly. Arranged for morning appointments when you have your checks to get your morning levels recorded on a regular basis. This way your doctor can see if your medication is still needed and whether there are other things you can do instead.

    Only stop taking your medication if your doctor tells you so. Youll get a good idea by your glucose levels. Track them yourself to see if theyre getting lower one week to the next. If you see a significant drop, talk to your doctor about your options for cutting back or out your medication and trying more holistic options.

    If you believe you need a second opinion, dont be afraid to get one from someone reputable. Just follow the advice from those who have the degrees!

    High Blood Sugar In The Morning Causes

    Why is your morning blood sugar so high? (Find the fix!)

    The body uses several fuel sources for energy, such as glucose, ketones,fatty acids, lactate, and many more.

    Different hormones that regulate this kind of metabolic homeostasis includecortisol, norepinephrine, insulin, and glucagon.

    There are several reasonswhy your blood sugar is high in the morning after fasting overnight:

    • If you ate too many carbohydrates the night before,you may have higher blood sugar because the glucose is still in the bloodstream.
    • Eating too many calories in the evening or havingdinner too close to bedtime maintains a higher blood sugar response over thecourse of the night.
    • Running out of energy in the middle of the night makesyour body start breaking down its liver glycogen stores by raising glucagon.
    • Insulin resistance and poor glucose control inhibityour ability to shuttle that energy into the cells, thus keeping it elevatedfor longer.
    • Being inactive and sleeping makes you less insulin sensitivebecause of not moving around and the carbs you ate last night or the glycogenyou broke down is slower to be put into the right place.
    • Cortisol starts rising at dawn to wake you up by raisingadrenaline and breaking down glycogen.

    The dawn effect happens because of eating too many carbs the eveningbefore, poor insulin control to metabolize those carbs, running out ofenergy during the night and breaking down ones glycogen stores.

    Recommended Reading: Can I Take Vitamins During Intermittent Fasting

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