Ask the Diabetes Educator Archive

6/16/03

Q:
I am a type II diabetic. I work out four times a week, one hour each combining aerobic and strength training exercises. My bg level always jumps about 20 points after the exercise, even though I have not eaten anything for hours before that. Why is this and how can I avoid it?

A:
This is a normal response! Exercise is a stressor and stressors elevated blood sugar. Wait a minimum of 1/2 hour before testing; some people need to wait at least an hour before the lowering effects of exercise can be seen. What you want to assess overall are your fasting numbers and your A1C levels. Generally, it is the people on insulin who have to be the most attentive to pre/post exercise glucose numbers, as they often will need to adjust medication and/or adjust eating.