After discovering my diabetes was not under control almost four weeks ago my metformin was doubled to 1000mg twice daily and I started Gliclazide 80mg, taking one and a half twice daily. I also follow the a low carb diet of under 80g per day. During that time my readings have gone down from 23.9 to between 4.1 and 5.2 depending on the time of day. While I am obviously pleased at the improvement I am a bit concerned that now they are too low and wondering if the Gliclazide should be reduced. Am not due to see the GP for four weeks. Advice would be appreciated.
I am absolutely no expert, but from my (quite wide) reading in books and on these forums I am sure that Metformin cannot cause hypos or excessively low bg, but Gliclazide can. I have seen it suggested that one should not try to combine a very low carb diet with Gliclazide for this reason. I believe that a truly normal bg starts at 4.9, and I would be a bit concerned about anything lower than that. In your position I think I would try to get an early appointment with your GP. In the GP practice where I am registered it is sometimes possible to get a telephone consultation at short notice. If I couldn't consult my GP for four weeks, I would experiment with either reducing the Gliclazide to one tablet twice daily or slightly raising the level of carbs in my diet (up to 100 g daily? but bearing in mind that Gliclazide can lead to weight gain). Since you are testing you would be able to see any results quickly. I would not change my Metformin dose.
BUT discussing this with your GP would be much the best, especially if you are getting any unpleasant sensations. Once again, I am hesitant to write any of this, as I am just another person struggling to control her bg.