Is Your Fasting Blood Sugar Too High? Here's What to Do Next Related reading: Stabilize Your Blood Sugar 10 Daily Habits For Consistent EnergyFinding ...

Is Your Fasting Blood Sugar Too High? Here's What to Do Next

Finding out that your fasting blood sugar is too high can be concerning. It's a red flag indicating that your body may not be processing sugar as efficiently as it should, potentially leading to prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. But don't panic! Understanding what to do next is crucial for managing your health. This article will guide you through the steps to take, from understanding the numbers to making lifestyle adjustments.

Related reading: How To Lower Your A1C Without Medication

Understanding Fasting Blood Sugar Levels

First, let’s clarify what constitutes a "normal," "prediabetic," and "diabetic" range for fasting blood sugar. This measurement is taken after you haven't eaten for at least eight hours, typically first thing in the morning.

Category	Fasting Blood Sugar (mg/dL)	What It Means
Normal	Less than 100	Healthy glucose metabolism.
Prediabetes	100 to 125	Indicates impaired glucose tolerance, increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes	126 or higher (on two separate tests)	Diagnostic of diabetes. Requires medical intervention and ongoing management.

If your fasting blood sugar falls into the prediabetes or diabetes range, it's crucial to take immediate action. One high reading doesn't automatically mean you have diabetes, but it's a warning sign you shouldn't ignore.

Step 1: Repeat the Test

Before jumping to conclusions, it's essential to confirm the result. A single high reading could be due to stress, illness, or simply a mistake in the testing process.

Consult Your Doctor: Schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss the high result.
Repeat the Fasting Blood Sugar Test: Your doctor will likely order another fasting blood sugar test. For a diabetes diagnosis, high readings typically need to be confirmed on two separate occasions.
Consider Additional Tests: Your doctor might also recommend an A1C test (which measures average blood sugar over the past 2-3 months) or an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for a more comprehensive assessment.

Step 2: Understand the Potential Causes

Several factors can contribute to high fasting blood sugar levels:

Insulin Resistance: Your body's cells don't respond properly to insulin, requiring the pancreas to produce more insulin to compensate. This can lead to elevated blood sugar.
Pancreatic Dysfunction: The pancreas may not be producing enough insulin, or the insulin it produces may not be effective.
Diet: Consuming a diet high in processed foods, sugary drinks, and refined carbohydrates can significantly impact blood sugar levels.
Lack of Physical Activity: Exercise helps your body use insulin more effectively. A sedentary lifestyle contributes to insulin resistance.
Stress: Stress hormones can raise blood sugar levels.
Medications: Certain medications, such as steroids, can increase blood sugar.
Underlying Health Conditions: Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can increase the risk of insulin resistance and high blood sugar.
Sleep Problems: Insufficient or poor-quality sleep can disrupt hormones that regulate blood sugar.

Step 3: Implement Lifestyle Changes

Often, lifestyle modifications can significantly improve fasting blood sugar levels, especially in the prediabetes stage.

Dietary Adjustments:
- Reduce Sugar Intake: Limit sugary drinks (soda, juice), processed foods, and desserts.
- Choose Whole Grains: Opt for whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and whole-wheat bread instead of refined carbohydrates like white bread and pasta.
- Increase Fiber Intake: Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Fiber helps regulate blood sugar levels.
- Lean Protein: Include lean protein sources like chicken, fish, beans, and tofu in your diet.
- Healthy Fats: Incorporate healthy fats from sources like avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil.
Regular Exercise:
- Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. This could include brisk walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling.
- Incorporate strength training exercises at least twice a week. Muscle tissue helps improve insulin sensitivity.
Weight Management: Losing even a small amount of weight (5-7% of your body weight) can significantly improve blood sugar control.
Stress Management:
- Practice relaxation techniques: Yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises.
- Engage in hobbies you enjoy: Reading, spending time in nature, listening to music.
Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night. Establish a regular sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine.

Step 4: Monitor Your Blood Sugar Regularly

Regular blood sugar monitoring is crucial for tracking your progress and making necessary adjustments to your lifestyle.

Home Blood Sugar Monitoring: Your doctor may recommend purchasing a blood glucose meter to monitor your fasting blood sugar levels at home. Follow your doctor's instructions on how often to test and what target range to aim for.
Keep a Log: Record your blood sugar readings, along with any relevant information like meals, exercise, and medications. This will help you and your doctor identify patterns and make informed decisions.

Step 5: Medical Intervention if Necessary

In some cases, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough to lower your fasting blood sugar to a healthy range. Your doctor may recommend medication, especially if you have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Medication Options: Several medications are available to help lower blood sugar, including metformin, sulfonylureas, and insulin. Your doctor will determine the best medication for you based on your individual needs and health history.
Follow Your Doctor's Instructions Carefully: Take your medications as prescribed and attend all scheduled follow-up appointments.
Don't Stop Medications Without Consulting Your Doctor: Suddenly stopping medications can lead to dangerous fluctuations in blood sugar levels.

Step 6: Work With Your Healthcare Team

Managing high fasting blood sugar is a team effort. It’s essential to collaborate with your healthcare providers, including:

Your Doctor: For diagnosis, treatment, and medication management.
A Registered Dietitian: To develop a personalized meal plan tailored to your needs.
A Certified Diabetes Educator: To provide education and support on diabetes management.

Preventing Future Issues

Even if you successfully lower your fasting blood sugar levels, it's important to continue practicing healthy habits to prevent future problems.

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Continue to follow a balanced diet, exercise regularly, manage stress, and prioritize sleep.
Regular Checkups: Schedule regular checkups with your doctor and undergo blood sugar testing as recommended.
Be Aware of Risk Factors: If you have a family history of diabetes, are overweight, or have other risk factors, be extra vigilant about monitoring your blood sugar and adopting preventive measures.

Conclusion

Discovering that your fasting blood sugar is too high can be a wake-up call to prioritize your health. By understanding the numbers, identifying potential causes, implementing lifestyle changes, and working closely with your healthcare team, you can effectively manage your blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Remember, taking control of your health is an investment in your future well-being.