Blood sugar.

[Davet]

On checking my fasting blood sugar levels they are coming up on the high side 6.5 yesterday morning which is near the top range for pre-diabetes.

Before i started my T-gel they ran pretty high any way.
My doc didn't seem to think it was anything to be concerned about but as previously mentioned its my health at stake not hers.

My diet is as about as clean as I can get it ...I have a very low carb, intake normally lower than 80 grams a day...no hi gi or processed carbs...mainly veg and good fats...to try and lower my blood glucose....not sure if its Gluconeogenesis causing the problem...my diet was crap until about 8 years ago when I decided to get myself in order and change my lifestyle.
Can T gel raise blood sugar ? I know we are all biologically different but I expected my T therapy to lower my BS rather than raise it.
Should I ask my doc to prescribe Metmorfin...I had noted after reading Dr Brett Osborns book that he recommends running Metmorfin anyway for anti-aging and longevity.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers guys

 

[Vince]

I am insulin resistant, with testosterone and metformin. My last labs were, HbA1c 5.2 range 5.6 - 6.4, Glucose 67 range 70 - 125

 

[ERO]

TRT has been shown to lower not raise blood glucose as you already indicated. Metformin may be a good solution, especially no that it is shown to be valuable for overall anti-aging as well.

 

[Vince]

A new study explores anti-aging properties of metformin https://www.excelmale.com/forum/sho...y-explores-anti-aging-properties-of-metformin

 

[SoCalSurfer]

If you can avoid it .... make changes not to take Metformin.
I use to take Metformin, but I am now off of it completely. Before starting TRT I was taking 2000mg a day. I changed my diet and starting doing a lot of cardio (cycling) and slowly reduced my metformin 500mg at a time and two years later I am off of it completely and my A1C is staying in range. It really depends on your body and if you can get off of it completely. Most people think that carbs are what is bad for someone with type II diabetes, but it really the type of carbs and fat that you eat. Cut out all high corn fructose products completely. If I need sugar I use real organic raw sugar, not white processes sugar. Also do not drink diet soda those just make you crave sweets and the sweeteners make you crave more sweets. Eat whole fruits and if you want juice then get a NutraBullet and process the whole fruit to a drink, so you have the fiber which slows down you body processing the glucose from the fruit. A high fatty diet will also cause your body not to process glucose correctly, all that fat in you blood is bad. You also have to watch for those hidden natural sugars. As an example: 1 cup of milk has 18g of sugar.

Also watch those fats, good or bad really doesn't matter when it comes to BS. High fat meal if your type II is not a good thing. That will cause your BS to spike later, so you get a spike from the simple carbs and then 4 hours later from the fat you ate. That just makes your BS stay high.

If you look back in history you will find a direct correlation between when companies more to HFCS and the rise in diabetes. HFCS is also very addictive from a brain chemistry point of view (research this one). It makes you crave more and more.

For my rides over 30 miles I use a drink which is a mix of pinch of sea salt and 1tsp black strap molasses syrup. You would think that would just blow my BS off the chart but it doesn't at all because my body burns it up and I have a cliff bar before and during my ride which has good fiber in it. Sugars and Fiber is the key to not getting a spike.

 

[OMI100]

I have been reading up on Berberine.
A few post on here mention it.
Some links to some info:
https://examine.com/supplements/berberine/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/06/22/berberine-benefits.aspx
http://www.raysahelian.com/berberine.html
https://www.diabetesdaily.com/forum/diabetes-news-studies/87739-just-other-side-coin-berberine/
https://www.diabetesdaily.com/forum...-berberine-herbal-supplement-dream-come-true/

 

[HarryCat]

Chromium deficiency can also cause elevated blood sugar levels. Here is LEF's take on it: http://www.lifeextension.com/magazi...vels-With-Targeted-Nutrient-Compounds/Page-01

 

[Davet]

I have been reading up on Berberine.
A few post on here mention it.
Some links to some info:
https://examine.com/supplements/berberine/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/06/22/berberine-benefits.aspx
http://www.raysahelian.com/berberine.html
https://www.diabetesdaily.com/forum/diabetes-news-studies/87739-just-other-side-coin-berberine/
https://www.diabetesdaily.com/forum...-berberine-herbal-supplement-dream-come-true/

My diet is about as tight as I can get it...all organic foods no HFCS no carbonated drinks no alcohol.
6 meals a day spaced out...all clean food...no garbage...
Spend Saturday mornings on food prep sorting my weeks food.
I have read many books on diets as my goal was to lean out and put on muscle...must have a 50 or more books in my library......lol.
Still learning now and loving every minute of it...
I have a nagging suspicion that it is over-training causing the issue as I know stress can manifest its self in many ways...Last Sept when I had a full set of bloods done my fasting BS came back at 4.6. This was after a 2 week break from training ...so I might have to cut back on my intensity...bodies reading the intense workouts as stress & spiking me...age I guess ...damn I don't like this getting old malarkey...

I had noted that running Niacin therapy to help with my lipids can cause BS to rise so i may try a lower dose.
Got labs in mid March so that should give me an accurate set of numbers to where I am at.

I have run Berbrine before and it spikes me aND prevents me from sleeping...damn stuff.

I run Chromium P and also take a daily dose of cinnamon powder.

I did run Cialis last Oct and that pushed by BS level up as well.

I will run it by my Docs in march when I have my next meeting and see what her view is.....that should be a laugh..

Cheers guys

 

[Vince]

I tried berberine with no success. Perhaps I do not over-express PCSK9. However, metformin does work for me and is a confirmed AMPK activator among other things.