Dawn Phenomenon'

[Abeybaby]

Hello and tks for taking my question. I was told by my dr that i have IGT- Impaired Glucose Tolerance although both my 3 month AIC is normal and fasting is in the high normal range. Essentially, not diabetic yet but could develop type 2 in future. I am 41, male, in good health and only suspected diabetis because my mother is type 2. My question are: I noticed recently that what someone called a "Dawn Phenomenon" whereby blood sugar levels after eating- ie: 1 hr reached as high as 160. In recent months, after testing, I never had a reading over 135 or so after 1 hr of eating and typically after two hrs my glucose levels would be just below 120 which i understand is normal. Whats with this? I have been under stress w/ home renovations etc ... could stress cause a spike?
2/ I also notice that i am getting more frequent hypoglycemic situations where blood sugar is around 85 or so which again is normal yet i feel lousy. Can you explain this?
My dr saw my 14 day avg and said i could have IGT but said i am still in the gray zone. He advised I loose about 5-8 lbs more (not overwieht) and start a excercise regimen asap. His view is i could remain in the gray zone for many yrs to come if its controlled? Can this be true?

Tks very much

[JDRF-Team-gg]

Hi abeybaby!  We are volunteers with life experience in dealing with type 1 diabetes, not medical professionals, so any information you receive here should be verified with your healthcare team.  

The dawn phenomenon refers to an unexplained, elevated bg reading, first thing in the morning that is commonly attributed to stress hormones.  I do not have any knowledge of this occuring in type 2 diabetics.  With type 1 diabetes, stress can play a major role in elevated bg's.  My 18 year old daughter always ran high during exam week in high school!  

I have heard, however, that with type 2, exercise and eating a healthy diet can really be advantageous.  You could also benefit (we all could!) from avoiding simple carbohydrates (white flour products, white rice, white potatoes, white pasta & processed foods).  They spike your blood sugar and make the pancreas work harder producing insulin to bring the level down to a normal range.  Whole grains are the way to go as the fiber slows down the blood sugar rise.  So, stick to eating right and exercising and keeping a tab on your bg's.  Good luck to you!

[Abeybaby]

Tks a lot!