What constitutes a 'spike'?

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Bren - 30 Aug 2007 22:38 GMT

I know spikes are what we are supposed to avoid but exactly how far do blood
sugar levels have to jump for it to be classed as a spike?

My last Ha1c was 5.5 but I have read that this is not a totally reliable
indicator of my control as it will not show up any spikes.

For example if my blood glucose fell to 3 mmol after exercise and then, 2
hours after a meal, climbed to 8.6 mmol would this be regarded as a spike?

The figures I quote are all within the ideal numbers recommended by my
doctor (apart from the 3) but I would just like to be sure.

Thanks,

Bren

PS I realise that 3 mmol is *low* but this has hardly ever happened and then
only after vigorous exercise.

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Beav - 30 Aug 2007 23:00 GMT

>I know spikes are what we are supposed to avoid but exactly how far do
>blood sugar levels have to jump for it to be classed as a spike?
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> hours after a meal, climbed to 8.6 mmol would this be regarded as a
> spike?

Not a big one, no.

> The figures I quote are all within the ideal numbers recommended by my
> doctor (apart from the 3) but I would just like to be sure.

I like to keep the spikes in single figures, but life isn't always what we
want. I've been "spiking" for 20 years though and there's no sign of any
diabetic damage, so *something's* working.

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Beav

VN 750
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Erica Nurney - 31 Aug 2007 12:12 GMT

> >I know spikes are what we are supposed to avoid but exactly how far do
> >blood sugar levels have to jump for it to be classed as a spike?
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> want. I've been "spiking" for 20 years though and there's no sign of any
> diabetic damage, so *something's* working.

I like to think that sustained high figures are more damaging. I get
the odd 10 or 11 now after a blowout but had been getting that as an
average not so long ago.

Just consider how long your tissues are subject to these high levels,
probably no more than 30 minutes or so every so often - I can't see
that that's a problem.

JPG
t2 glargine/aspart/metformin

> --
> Beav
>
> VN 750
> Zed 1000
> OMF# 19

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Alan S - 31 Aug 2007 22:04 GMT

>I like to think that sustained high figures are more damaging. I get
>the odd 10 or 11 now after a blowout but had been getting that as an
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>JPG
>t2 glargine/aspart/metformin

Both are bad IMO; obviously sustained high levels are bad,
but so are quick spikes and also large differences between
highs and lows.

A little light reading for you.

First, an article by Jenny, a past poster on this group,
about peaks:
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045678.php

Secondly, a very interesting blog entry by Gretchen Becker:
http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/5068/10513/peaks-matter/
Do Peaks and Valleys Matter?

and finally, the EPIC-Norfolk study, on A1c:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/322/7277/15

Those and other articles I've read imply to me that we
should be trying to be as "normal" as possible and that all
three of these factors are important:

1. Long-term sustained blood glucose level, as measured by
the A1c.

2. Short term spikes.

3. Rapid changes.

In other words, the closer we are to normal blood glucose
levels the better and any divergence from those has
implications of future problems.

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com

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John Williamson - 30 Aug 2007 23:05 GMT

> I know spikes are what we are supposed to avoid but exactly how far do blood
> sugar levels have to jump for it to be classed as a spike?
>
> My last Ha1c was 5.5 but I have read that this is not a totally reliable
> indicator of my control as it will not show up any spikes.

This is true, it's a weighted average of the last few weeks' levels.
Consecutive highs & lows in a short time will give the same Hba1c as a
steady BG level.
5.5 is a good reading though:-)

> For example if my blood glucose fell to 3 mmol after exercise and then, 2
> hours after a meal, climbed to 8.6 mmol would this be regarded as a spike?

8.6 after 2 hours, I'd count as more of a hump than a spike. 8.6 after
half an hour would be a definite spike. If you get 8.6 after 2 hours, it
may be worth checking next time after 1 hour, just to be sure there
isn't a higher reading in there somewhere.

3 after heavy exercise probably means that you need some carbs before or
during that exercise. If you drop that low, you may get a higher reading
on the rebound after the exercise even without eating as your liver
dumps glucose into your bloodstream to compensate for the low levels it
detects while you're exercising.

> The figures I quote are all within the ideal numbers recommended by my
> doctor (apart from the 3) but I would just like to be sure.

Are you injecting insulin, or just on oral medication?

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Tciao for Now!

John.

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Nicky - 31 Aug 2007 14:07 GMT

>For example if my blood glucose fell to 3 mmol after exercise and then, 2
>hours after a meal, climbed to 8.6 mmol would this be regarded as a spike?

That depends what type you are. Personally, I'd be surprised by the 3
and on my walker at the 8. And yes, I'd consider it a spike, unless I
tested a 6 or 7 before the meal.

Nicky.
T2 dx 05/04 + underactive thyroid
D&E, 100ug thyroxine
Last A1c 5.6% BMI 25

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Alan S - 31 Aug 2007 22:05 GMT

>I know spikes are what we are supposed to avoid but exactly how far do blood
>sugar levels have to jump for it to be classed as a spike?
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>PS I realise that 3 mmol is *low* but this has hardly ever happened and then
>only after vigorous exercise.

See my answer to Erica. Yes, I would regard 8.6 as a spike.
Are you T1 or T2?

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com

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