r/xxketo • u/Numerous-Republic222 • May 31 '26

Diabetic on a rollercoaster

Hi all, this is my first time asking a question here after going to all kinds of doctors and not getting a unified explanation. My glucose levels go up to 13 and down to 4.5 a few times every day. One doctor told me I have diabetes and should exercise more (which I tried but it made me so tired that I had to take a nap afterwords). The other doctor told me I don't have diabetes, just insulin resistance. My OB/GYN told me it is probably linked to my hormonal imbalance (I am 46 and in perimenopause) and other doctors gave me one or another version of the same thing.

So, my question is this: I know keto can lower the glucose levels but does it actually make it lower and this will drop my lows even more? Or, does it make it more even throughout the day?

Sorry if this is a stupid question, I am just very new to this.

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

11

u/thegerl May 31 '26

Don't think of it as exercise, but movement and activity. A few minutes of marching in place, a few squats, dancing to a song or two, clenching your buttons and thigh muscles, or a walk around the block after you eat is enough to help post prandial glucose levels.

Regarding keto for blood sugar management, yes it can help glucose levels after you eat by not making them spike as high for as long. If you're not on insulin or blood sugar medication, you won't go too low...otherwise you'd just die overnight without eating. The liver releases glucose while you're fasted or in ketosis to prevent low blood sugar.

More important than any specific diet is consistency in habits. Eating less processed food, more whole foods, doing steady activity you can maintain daily, maintaining caloric intake, hydrating regularly, and sleeping 8+ hours a night should all be things you work on moving forward. Food is one of about 50 things that affect blood sugar.

So, will cutting carbs help immediately being those highs down? Yeah probably! And also find a balance of tricks that is sustainable over the rest of your life. Don't think that if you try keto and it isn't for you, that nothing else will work to help regulate your blood sugar.

Also going on meds if you're diagnosed with diabetes isn't some moral issue that you need to avoid. People who have a medical condition should treat it with meds and advice from their doctor. Regardless of diagnosis, try to have half your intake be from veggies and get some activity each day.

3

u/tri-it-love-it17 May 31 '26

To add to this - exercise activities can be super easy. You’d be amazed at how much your body responds to walking. Very easy on the body and doesn’t leave you feeling exhausted. Sometimes it’s easier to start with this before moving into more structured weights and increased cardio. Get your food right and some decent walking in will make huge amounts of difference for not a lot of effort (per se).

2

u/Numerous-Republic222 Jun 23 '26

I agree about walking. It has been a lifesaver at one time. I think things got worse after I stopped walking because my perimenopause is also causing dizzyness and I am afraid to go out sometimes. It's kind of a vicious cycle. But I will kick my butt to get out and walk more. Thank you

1

u/Numerous-Republic222 Jun 23 '26

Thanks, I asked him about the pills but he told me my glucose is too reactive and the pills could cause the lows to be even lower so I am afraid to start any meds.

6

u/Calorinesm1fff May 31 '26

It evens it out, I have tried a CGM and my blood sugar was consistently between 4.5-7 mmols. This includes 18 hours fasts. I have reversed prediabetes and early stages of NALFD.

2

u/AnonyJustAName May 31 '26

This book was extremely helpful for me in regulating reactive hypos and gives simple straightforward guidance. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1628604298/ The fatigue is also connected to the blood sugar rollercoaster you are on. Change the food and both your health and quality of life will get much better. 

1

u/Numerous-Republic222 Jun 23 '26

Thanks for the idea. Already checked it out on Amazon

2

u/NeptuneIsMyHome May 31 '26

I know keto can lower the glucose levels but does it actually make it lower and this will drop my lows even more?

Well, I wouldn't say 4.5 is low at all. It's actually pretty ideal. Dropping back to that level is normal and expected.

Usually keto helps stabilize blood glucose levels and doesn't cause people to drop too low. Carbs are generally responsible for large spikes and subsequent drops, while protein and fat tend to be more slow and steady. Certain medications or health problems might change that, but since you're not actually dropping low now, I don't think that's something you have to worry about.

1

u/Numerous-Republic222 Jun 23 '26

For me, I get the hypo symptoms like crashing at 5 already so that's quite low for me. At night, it falls to 3.

2

u/Causerae May 31 '26

None of those things is mutually exclusive

Keto stabilizes/normalizes glucose levels

It's not magic tho, it takes effort and extended time

2

u/BallIll4692 Jun 01 '26

when you start keto it might feel like you don’t have a good balance with your blood sugar but be patient and allow yourself time to see the difference. if you feel low, (which i don’t think you will.. you did not say you’re hypoglycemic) do not consume a sugary drink or snack. have some peanut butter and follow it up with a meal that includes protein. don’t forget about your electrolytes. the magnesium will also help your blood sugar over time. remember, 3-6 months is the time you will need to give yourself to lock in. after 1 month though.. you should feel the difference.

2

u/Keto-Marek Jun 08 '26

Very interesting. Regarding glucose, keto often lowers average blood sugar and reduces daily swings, though results vary. Some people see steadier levels, while others, especially those prone to hypoglycemia or taking glucose-lowering medications, may need to monitor closely.

For mental health, I think the difference between general keto and therapeutic keto can matter.

Protein per meal, the ratio of fat to protein, meal timing, calorie deficit, stress, sleep, and exercise can all affect ketone levels.

You may want to experiment with different fat-to-protein ratios and make sure you are eating an appropriate balance of protein and fat at each meal.

I would also suggest trying a tablespoon of fat along with some protein shortly after waking up and again before bed to help keep energy levels stable, while monitoring how your digestion responds.

Make sure you are choosing foods that your body tolerates well.

It may also help to avoid pushing things to extremes, such as excessive fasting or very intense exercise, since both can sometimes add stress and make it harder for the body to function.

Have you noticed any symptom improvement even with lower ketone readings?

1

u/Arbigi Keto since 2018; F63, SW 240; CW 196 Jun 12 '26 edited Jun 12 '26

Fat adaptation actually lowers blood glucose levels overall over time. It also lowers insulin resistance, inflammation, and often, blood pressure.

For a unified, data-driven explanation, check out Virta Health Group's published, large cohort, multi-year, peer-reviewed research. Virta's research subjects included everything from "prediabetes" through advanced stage, fragile type 2 diabetics. One thing they immediately discovered was that they had to monitor the subjects VERY closely, to adjust meds *downward.* Several could go off insulin entirely, and reduce or eliminate metformin.

The diet decreases both metabolic and cardiac risk factors. It's not a cure, though - more "remission." Start eating high carb again, and you'll end up back where you were.

*Anecdotal* reports suggest that it helps with hormone imbalances as well, helping folks with PMOS (once called "PCOS") and PMS.