I’m type 2 and 2 hrs after lunch (about 40 carbs), my level is 125. I just read something that said that at no point should anyone’s level be over 100. This doesn’t make sense to me. It seems impossible.

So, I’m wondering what the non-diabetic would normal score 2 hrs after eating.

I believe that anything over around 140-145 2 hours after eating is considered a diabetic range. Normal range fasting is (depending on place) 70-100. Some places say 70-110. So I would say, for you being type II that 125 after eating is a good range. As long as you stick to your diet and monitor intake, you seem to be on a good path to control! Best of health!

Diabetes is more about blood sugar. Its more about what docs like to call ’’Target Organ Damage’’ It targets you main organ systems and before you know it you have stroke, heart attacks, Kidney failure and blindness. Not to mention foot ulcers, amputations, diabetic comas and what not. OK, so now thats clear. Diabetes is a deadly disease.

How do you manage it?

Well you manage the sugar AND you manage to prevent target organ damage..

Blood sugar: I recommend a glucometer. It cost only 50 bucks nowadays. your FBS should be 70-110 max 120. The post meal one should be 150-160… Regular checks are essential

HBA1C: But even regular blood checks are just snapshots.. you could still miss out. The HbA1C is more like a 24 hour surveillance video vs the snapshot. It should be below 7… have one every 3 months to assess you overall sugar control.

Target Organ checks:

Eye check up for retinopathy: Annually, at least

Urine microprotein: Ditto for Kidney involvement

Sensation check ups : Monthly and always wear footwear, even inside the house.
Check your feet every night for cuts and skin loss. A diabetic may not recognise an ulcer till its too late.. as he/she can’t feel pain that well. Foot care is thus, very important for a diabetic

Cardiac: Lipid Profiles, Stress tests annually might be a good idea, as chest pain is often absent in diabetics due to nerve involvement

Diet:
Very important: Avoid large heavy meals that cause the blood glucose to surge. Take several mini meals. Prefer complex carbs over refined.. more vegetables and less white flour. Fruit juices are best avoided, go for the natural fruit instead. Which fruit? Take them only if your sugar is under good control.. see above.. and prefer fibrous fruits.. oranges and tangerines are such. Any fruit is OK, if your sugars are under control.Go for foodstuffs with lower gycemic indices.. they are absorbed slower.
Diet was the only way of treating DM before insulin was isolated.. and it is really important. Ask your dietician for details, there are quite a few, including the data given above..Avoid heavy meals, high glycemic loads such as sweets,refined flour,sugar etc… all cause the insulin to spike and wear the pancreas out further…
Take more fibre and low glycemic foodstuffs..There really is a review on diet… no space here..
Exercise:
Also very important. Helps to reduce insulin resistance and metabolize the sugar. But let it be graded never sudden as it can lower you blood sugar dangerously, if not monitored and if done without adequate glucose in the blood.
Exercise keeps your blood vessels lining(endothelium healthy and thats really important!

Hypoglycemia:
Very dangerous. This is low blood sugar, usually <60, which can lead to unconsciousness and even death.. Can be due to excess insulin,diabetic drug dosage, excess exercise, less intake, diarrhea etc all culiminating in less sugar in the blood. So all diabetics should try for regular meals and regular exercise.. And carry glucose/sweets for use in emergencies, in addition to a medical card, in case they become unconscious

Medicines:
This is beyond this review, but all diabetics should ensure that they are on an ACE inhibitor/ARB and a statin, in addition to their blood sugar medication,unless there is a reason not to… Ask your doctor. These drugs prevent the dreaded Target organ damage to a great extent.. ACE inhibitors have interestingly been shown to prevent the onset of diabetes in people who are prone to develop it!

So in summary:
Check for it, Keep monitoring your body and be proactive.. You can beat it

Right now, my Doctor & Diabetic Educator think it is all hormonal and not much I can do to control it. We have tried alot of different medication combos but so far nothing helps.

Anyone else have this problem and what has helped?

You have something called "dawn phenomenon". It is actually quite common. What actually happens is that your blood sugar drops during the night and your body tries to combat it by raising the blood sugar level. Talk to your doctor about increasing the Lantus and adding a light bedtime snack to carry you over. If the doctor doesn’t know about this factor, you may need to seek the advice of another diabetes professional.

What is acceptable range during the course of the day?

Any suggestions on recipes or meal plans that work well? I know their is no such hing as a Diabetic Diet but I know there are obviously things to avoid.

My doctor wants me 80 to 120 before meals and when I wake up in the morning.

Having 7.1, four hours after eating is not bad, especially since you have type 2 but there room for improvement. You should consider testing your sugar at different times, waking, before eating, two hours after eating, before bed and keep a log to see what your baseline is. That way you will know if your improving or not.

You do want to keep your blood sugar level to normal ranges as possible. Remember though, you didn’t develop type 2 within two weeks. It’s going to take longer then two weeks to bring it down. You can do it though.

On diet, your avoiding sugar, very wise move. When it comes to your carbs, go for more whole grains and fiber packing foods and stay away from white flour. Don’t be afraid to seek out a dietian, that’s their job.

Keep up the daily exercises. That will keep a lid on your blood sugar. Also, if your overweight, you should drop a few pounds, even a modest weight loss will help lower your blood sugar. If your a healthy weight already, maintain your weight, extra body fat will push up that sugar.

Manage your blood sugar and nothing will prevent you from having a full, happy, and productive life.