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Blood glucose remains high throughout fast

I’ve been doing IF for … a month maybe? With OMAD over the past few weeks, though I do a weekly 46-48 hour fast.

I’ve been lucky in that I don’t get hungry during the fast, but I’ve noticed that my blood glucose remains high throughout even longer fasts. Usually >100, though I’ve noticed it dipping to below 80 once or twice.

My A1C levels haven’t been high enough to be diagnosed formally as prediabetic, but I’m curious if my experience is normal (at least for those of you who test glucose). 100-105 seems pretty high for a 48 hour fast.

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Answer

Are you overweight? You may be burning through fat stored in the liver, it’s very common. Or it can be due to counter regulatory hormones. Should resolve over time.

https://www.dietdoctor.com/why-is-blood-glucose-elevated-when-fasting

If you are testing in am, try changing time, see Dawn effect.

Exercise, even walking, can help use up the glucose. Keep going!

Answer

RN here: We need a little more history here. Are you on any medications? Supplements? In general, this is nothing to worry about. You’re body is and should be maintaining your serum glucose levels despite not eating. In addition, stress - meaning the physiological stress your body is under while fasting, (I’m not talking psychological stress), releases cortisol. Cortisol plays a role in elevating blood glucose levels among other things such as retaining certain electrolytes. I ask about medications and supplements because some can do this as well. Doesn’t seem too concerning to me.

Answer

A glucose meter should be used if looking at short windows of time. <100 is good on a given day, but other factor influence the number. AC1 is an indicator of blood glucose over a three month window. Anything > 5.5 is considered pre-diabetic.

Answer

For me, I do not see blood glucose drop below 100 until day 3 or 4 if I do a multiday fast. Usually day 1 or 2, I’m at 110 when test my blood glucose when I wake up. But by day 3-4, when I wake up, I’m usually between 75 to 90. If you do OMAD and your last meal is dinner, make sure there is no carbs. You can also go for a walk after you meal. Test your blood glucose before and after your walk to see how far you need to walk.

Answer

I wouldn’t worry about it unless you feel any different. A full glucose curve taking a measurement every 2 hours before and after eating would be ideal to see your insulin response after a meal. If you notice heart rate changes and lethargy during fasting I would see a doctor. You could have general insulin resistance at this point but should get better as your cell receptors turn over with less insulin stimulation.

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