Morning sugar level

[Roque621]

My doctor diagnosed me as type 2 diabetes.  No medication required just diet and exercise up to now.  My reading in the morning is high between 6 and 7.5, but later in the afternoon even after having lunch goes down to bet 4.3 and 5.2.  Why is it that my morning reading is alway high, my reading before dinner is around 5 or below and I don't have snack before bed?

[Roque621]

Thank you very much for your very good explanation.  What adivice can you give me to control my evening dose of glucose?  Would you recommend snack before bed in order to induce my pancreas to produce insulin overnight that will as well control my liver to produce glucose?

[Anita Ramsetty, MD]

Hi,
For many people with Type 2 diabetes this high morning sugar is the first issue with glucose to develop. Normal glucose management involves not only keeping it normal while not eating(the overnight fast) but also after eating(values during the rest of the day).Sometimes one area starts going awry while the other is still okay for the time being. What your pattern suggests is that your body can still keep your post-meal glucose controlled but not the overnight one(when your liver makes glucose for you). With good changes in your diet and exercise patterns and some weight loss, you should be able to get this morning value under control too. Best of luck and take care.