First trimester nighttime lows

Clairebee

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Hi I was just wondering if anyone is experiencing first trimester lows and can share their experience with me.i am type 1 have been for 21 years I am 39 with my first baby!! All the information I’m reading around pregnancy focuses on the danger of highs in first trimester (I’m 5 weeks 5 days by the way)but I went to the diabetic pregnancy clinic and although the midwife said the highs are the ones to worry about the diabetic nurse said the lows are dangerous too which I had never read before now I’m worried sick!!! Since being pregnant I have about2-3 mild hypos a day catching it around 3.9-3.7 but of a night my libre reads lo which is below 2.2 and can go back lo even after treating!!! I’m on nova rapid and lantus if anyone can share their experiences that would be great
 

Ellie_Wilko

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Lows are common in early pregnancy and through the first trimester I always have to change my ratios and doses! My team always say lows are just as dangerous as highs as just like us, baby needs sugar for brain development apparently.

I have no hypo awareness so don't feel anything until I'm low 2's which is scary.

I have to write down all my readings and then show my team when I see them and they can spot any patterns and adjust my insulin based on that.

Don't stress, it gets easier :)
 
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Juicyj

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Hi @Clairebee The Libre is well known for reporting false lows at night time due to compression on the sensor so please do some checks to verify this against your meter, it's best to set the alarm for 3am which is the time at which we report our lowest BG reading during the night, just to be on the safe side.
 
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Clairebee

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Thank you I still feel hypos which is good so I catch the day ones early yes Iv been adjusting too I’m glad it gets easier
 

Clairebee

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Hi @Clairebee The Libre is well known for reporting false lows at night time due to compression on the sensor so please do some checks to verify this against your meter, it's best to set the alarm for 3am which is the time at which we report our lowest BG reading during the night, just to be on the safe side.

Yes I’m going to start setting my alarm for 3am every night that’s the time I usually go low first and yes Iv also been doing finger prick tests to confirm libre when I wake it’s always around 2.2 but thanks for the tip I’ll make sure I test with finger prick tonight!!!
 
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Juicyj

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If you're reporting lows during the night from the meter, then have you adjusted your basal, as a 3am low would indicate your basal dose needs reducing, also do you manage your own adjustments or consult your DSN ? Otherwise a small snack before bedtime. It's best to avoid your night time lows, so putting a plan into action today to avoid them is important :)
 
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Clairebee

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If you're reporting lows during the night from the meter, then have you adjusted your basal, as a 3am low would indicate your basal dose needs reducing, also do you manage your own adjustments or consult your DSN ? Otherwise a small snack before bedtime. It's best to avoid your night time lows, so putting a plan into action today to avoid them is important :)

Iv already adjusted my Basel two nights ago I’m lowering it by 2 units to start its 32 units of lantus at the minute I usually just adjust on my own but the diabetic nurse told me to lower it this time I usually have a snack a digestive or two or ginger snap biscuit before bed however my bloods were high last night still from my dinner for some reason so I was trying to correct that so didn’t eat as the morning before I woke up at 8.6!!! I’ll make sure I have a snack too before bed thank you one day is so different from the next so it’s a little difficult to keep track but thanks for the advice appreciate it
 
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Juicyj

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@Clairebee It will take a few days to see a knock on, and yes eating late won't help as you'll be testing before bed, seeing a high and potentially taking a correction dose which you may not need, I made this mistake earlier this week as was running high before bed, was tired, took a correction and woke at 3am in a sweat at 3.6. It sounds like you know exactly what to do, the unknown factor are the changes in hormones which are difficult to calculate for. When I was pregnant I was more worried about going high than low, as running high meant too much glucose for baby to feed on. It's a balancing act for sure, but try not to worry, stress isn't good for you or baby, so take it easy on yourself, you're doing a great job x
 
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Clairebee

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@Clairebee It will take a few days to see a knock on, and yes eating late won't help as you'll be testing before bed, seeing a high and potentially taking a correction dose which you may not need, I made this mistake earlier this week as was running high before bed, was tired, took a correction and woke at 3am in a sweat at 3.6. It sounds like you know exactly what to do, the unknown factor is the changes in hormones which are difficult to calculate for. When I was pregnant I was more worried about going high than low, as running high meant too much glucose for baby to feed on. It's a balancing act for sure, but try not to worry, stress isn't good for you or baby, so take it easy on yourself, you're doing a great job x

Yes think I had also corrected too much as I was panicking thanks for the reassurance it’s definitely a balance act but Iv been trying for a baby for 3 years so know it’s definitely worth it thanks again
 
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hsw

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Hello
I'm T1D for 21 years and currently 21 weeks pregnant with my first. Also have the libre and suffered with lows a lot in first trimester.
My ante natal Diabetic specialist team said that hypo awareness was the important thing and have constantly reassured me that highs and lows are not something to be overly worried about when they are spikes or drops rather than continual as seen in a high HbA1C.
I too am finding all the healthy baby stories useful and also reminding myself that people tend to engage in forums when things are challenging so forums may not be representative of all T1D pregnancies. The statistics indicate this is not the case.
The anxiety and guilt is tricky but normal. Keep as calm as you can. There's some great advice in this thread :happy: