ELI5: What do my glucose readings mean?

gluconeogenesis
bloodglucose
testing
glucose
(EMILY) #1

Hello there. I’m still battling a stall point. As I try and be patient and let my body work through whatever it is doing, I’ve decided to gather some data via a blood glucose meter to try and learn more about how my body reacts to certain foods. The problem is I have no clue what the numbers are telling me… HELP.

I’m not a diabetic. I’m 5’1, 155lbs.

I’ve read that optimal ranges are between 70 and 85 source: http://ketosister.com/blood-sugar-levels-in-ketosis-part-i/
Why do my numbers seem to jump around so much? 101 after a salad with some dressing* seems odd? **Update: I looked at the massive list of ingredients on the Wishbone Ceasar dressing and it has corn syrup…probably what caused the spike even though the carb count is low. Lesson Learned: Ingredients matter!

Here is what I’ve documented so far:

6/27/2018 Ketone0: n/a
TimeBfast: 915
Breakfast: McD’s sausage, egg, cheese, no bun. Americano with HWC
TimeGlucose0: 1345
Glucose0: 70
TimeLunch: 1350
Lunch: .5 quest double chocolate protein cookie, 21g skippy PB
TimeG1: 1445
Glucose1: 83
TimeG2: 1545
Glucose2: 60
TimeDinner: 1830
Dinner: 3.5oz sirloin steak, 1tbsp butter, leftover taco meat/cauli rice/baby kale cheesy casserole, and serving of broccoli and cheese sauce
SnackTime: 1945
Snack: ½ square of 90% dark chocolate (Lindt)
TimeG3: 2045
Glucose3: 87

6/28/2017 Ketone0: 0.6
TimeBfast: 0825
Breakfast: Grande Triple 2 pump skinny mocha (½ HWC ½ Water)
TimeLunch: 1215
Lunch: leftover antipasto salad (no meat) with a few marinated artichoke hearts, red bell peppers, provolone cheese and a couple servings of caesar dressing
TimeKetone2: 1310
Ketone2: 0.7
TimeG1: 1315
Glucose1: 101

Thank you in advance!!!

#2

The only number that’s really out of a normal range is the drop to 60 after a lunch of a protein bar and some peanut butter. Everything else is possibly just normal variations. Blood glucose monitors can vary, they’re not THAT precise.

(EMILY) #3

What causes blood glucose to drop like that?

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #4

An insulin spike would be one possibility. What was in that protein bar?

(EMILY) #5

It was a Quest Double Chocolate Protein Cookie:

image

(Raj Seth) #6

What Glucometer are you using? Do you know that most common glucometers have a documented variation of 15-20%
More importantly, your numbers all seem to be within the normal range. Given the lack of precision of the measurement, fretting a 20-30 pt swing either way is folly

If you want a more precise meter - get a Bayer contour next - documented 4% precision. its about $10 for the meter, and about 0.25 per strip - off amazon. I threw away my old meters and bought 2 of these.

(matt ) #7

whey protein is very insulinogenic so it dropped your BG like crazy.

(EMILY) #8

I have a precision xtra meter.

(EMILY) #9

Thanks for the response. What does a drop in BG mean? How can I use this information to better tailor my food choices to meet my weight loss/healthy metabolism goals? I apologize in advance for all my stupid questions.

(matt ) #10

Well if you are diabetic or IR the larger issue is that you ate a food that caused an insulin spike and thats not what you want. Once I found out about whey protein I stopped using it. Granted I only used it in a recipe for keto bread.

insulin goes up and that makes the BG go down.

(EMILY) #11

That brings me to my next point - I’m not diabetic so does it matter?

(Raj Seth) #12

Yes. Of course. It always matters. Lowering your insulin needs has many health benefits