High glucose reading only first thing AM

[Vianna]

53 yr old female, 5'5"  and 170 lbs on a muscular, large frame (I was until 3 yrs ago a size 10 and 140 lbs all my life). Routine blood work (in 2006) found a glucose reading of 120 and I was told I am pre-diabetic. I do not have any of the classic symptoms but I am more tired than I used to be - I attributed that to my inability to sleep well through the night the last few years. Although I do not engage in a formal form of exercise, I live an active life caring for two households (mine and my octogenarian parents)and do lots of gardening.
I have no high BP, cholesterol is 200, all other vitals are good.
Since diagnosis I have been counting carbs, eating 50 at each meal. This works well all through the day (readings between 98 before and 138 after, depending on meal content)- except I ALWAYS wake up with high morning readings, between 116 and 126. I can have a reading of 116 two hours after having dinner (around 8 or nine PM) and yet wake up with a reading of 126.  
Does anyone know WHY this is and if it can be controlled without medication?
Thank you -
  

[Pete919usa]

First thing I thought of was the Dawn Phenom, too.  Pretty common, and as long as everything else is ok, especially the A1C, I wouldn't worry about it too much.  If it is 'just' the Dawn Phenomenon, try taking your blood sugar when you wake up and then 30-to-60 minutes later (still before eating) and see if it's still high or if that morning spike really is just a spike and has settled down just by being awake for a while.  

If it stays high, you could try eating fewer carbs at your night meal and avoid sugar-alcohols (the ones the nutrition labels subtract out to get 'net carbs') because they still *are* carbs, and for me, they digest slowly but add up over the day and cause a blood sugar spike many hours later.

Let us know what you try and how it works out!

[jem17]

I went to the Joslin Clinic when I first learned that I had type 2.  There we were told to only have 15 grams of carbs at each meal; try that and see what happens.

[Leatherferret]

I, too, suffer from a high morning reading.  It's very frustrating, I know.  I have been told by my doctor that I may have what is called the Dawn Phenomenon.  It harkens back to the olden days when the body provided a little extra boost to help you hunt down that wildebeast for breakfast.  Nowadays, we don't need that extra boost, but the body doesn't know that.  It still gives you a little "extra" in the mornings sometimes.  I've been doing research into it, and so far, there's no real answer or cure.  Some people have benefitted by eating a protein snack late before bed.  Didn't work for me.  Some people eat carbs (complex) before bed or a Nite Bite bar.  I haven't tried that.  Some people swear by eating a granny smith apple (I hate those), or by taking Apple Cider Vinegar tablets.  I didn't want to pay the $9 for the tablets, so tried to take two tablespoons of actual cider vinegar.  Did a real funky hilarious dance all around the kitchen because of the taste.  Didn't seem to help much either.  So I went BACK to the doctor, who now tells me that I may have sleep apnea (apparently getting a good night's rest is important to keeping blood sugar level - who knew?), and is sending me for a sleep study in the next month.  Try any (or all) of these and hopefully one will work for you.  

[MomOfTwoGrls]

morning sugars should be somewhere between 70 and 100.  Are you eating a snack before going to bed.  That could be it.  Also could be that you need medication just at night.  You should talk to your doctor.  Good Luck.