Individuals diagnosed with diabetes will notice their blood sugar levels change throughout the day. But the greatest variation in glucose can actually occur during the evening hours. Depending on the type of diabetes, use of appropriate treatment methods, and proper management fasting blood sugar levels can still fall above normal ranges.
What is a Normal Fasting Glucose Range?
A fasting blood sugar (FSB) screen that is normal will contain a result range between 70 and 90 ml/dL. Pre-diabetes is a condition that warns individuals of adult onset or type 2 diabetes, and is indicated by a range of 100 to 125 ml/dL.
Individuals with uncontrolled diabetes will have results that fall at 126 ml/dL or above. But a diabetic can have a normal fasting blood sugar range during an FBS if their diabetes is properly managed through diet, exercise and medication.
See this post for more on lowering blood sugar levels naturally.
A Potential Increase in Morning Blood Sugar Levels
The body will normally fall into a fasting state during sleep, because food is not consumed for an extended period of time. A properly performed FBS will require abstaining from meals, snacks and most beverages (excluding water) at least 8 hours before the screen is performed.
An individual with type 2 diabetes usually experiences high sugar levels after consuming snacks or meals. But this phenomenon can also occur during the morning hours. This means it is possible for a person with well managed diabetes to have fasting glucose at normal or slightly above normal ranges.
This post covers some of the simple ways you can check your blood sugar at home.
Why does this occur? Causes of high glucose during a fast include:
- The use of blood pressure medication in diabetics
- Hormones releasing glucose into the bloodstream as a source of energy for the body
- The liver simultaneously releasing stored glycogen into the bloodstream, due to poor internal glucose and insulin regulation caused by this disease
Potential Treatments
Individuals with diabetes may try and learn how to lower fasting blood sugar levels with the help of their healthcare provider. The biggest issue surrounding treatment methods and management is the need to tailor all factors to each person’s need. This may mean changing the type of insulin used before bed, using different blood pressure and anti-diabetic medications and administration of insulin at regular intervals during the night.
Learning how to lower fasting blood sugar is important when it comes to managing diabetes. In most cases, FBS levels will always be above normal ranges (usually in the morning.) But with proper modifications to insulin types, when the injections are given and adjustment of medication – close to normal fasting glucose ranges can be easily achieved.
Make sure you speak with your doctor about your high blood sugar levels in the morning and read this post on following a healthy high blood sugar diet.
