Low blood sugars

Kyambala

Well-Known Member
Messages
382
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
I think you need to define what you consider a "hypo". What levels were you seeing. And as @Antje77 says what other medication were you on when experiencing them.

It is indeed extremely unusual for a T2 to experience an unmedicated hypo.

Hellow again Bulkbiker after so long a time.

I see that you have "added a word" to Lamont's statement = "unmedicated".

When I was on just tablets I used to wake up bathed in sweat and when I tested it was about 2.5 At other times it would be about 3 or 3.5 Once I had violent "rigors" whilst driving a car and I didn't have my test kit with me.

Now if it heads below 4 I start to take corrective action. Fortunately, I always wake up before things get too serious.

Have a nice day.
 

Antje77

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
19,284
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Yes I was taking about 15 tablets per day including Gliclazide
Gliclazide is a medication which can cause hypos.
@Lamont D said: "it is not usual to get hypos with T2, unless you take too much insulin or on meds!"
He didn't say it's unusual to get hypos when on meds, he was speaking of unmedicated T2's.
it is not usual to get hypos with T2, unless you take too much insulin or on meds!
 

Lamont D

Oracle
Messages
15,796
Type of diabetes
Reactive hypoglycemia
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
The readings you are postings very worrisome!
Hellow again Bulkbiker after so long a time.

I see that you have "added a word" to Lamont's statement = "unmedicated".

When I was on just tablets I used to wake up bathed in sweat and when I tested it was about 2.5 At other times it would be about 3 or 3.5 Once I had violent "rigors" whilst driving a car and I didn't have my test kit with me.

Now if it heads below 4 I start to take corrective action. Fortunately, I always wake up before things get too serious.

Have a nice day.

If you are continually getting these readings, which along with the high readings in your other post, there is clearly something going on, which is atypical T2!
It maybe the glicizide, or the insulin wether natural or injected that is driving down the glucose levels!
But what is driving up glucose levels to the high levels?
I don't know your dietary regime is! But because of the high levels, there is something that is doing this!

I would suggest a second diagnostic with a different doctor or a referral to a specialist.
Glicizide and insulin is not a usual treatment for T2, unless you are insulin dependent, but even that is unusual!

I was misdiagnosed with T2, my readings were never uniform except for fasting, which because I didn't have dawn phenomenon, it was noticeable in my food diary and along with my hba1c levels, that I couldn't be diabetic to my specialist. But I still had high glucose levels after carbs, and then had lows, I was not on any meds except metformin, which was stopped immediately.
Maybe, The reason why you are having brain issues, and I've been there before my true diagnosis, is that brain function will definitely develop problems when blood glucose levels are on a rollercoaster ride up and down, due to hyperinsulinimia or hyperglycaemia or both, with insulin resistance and your hormonal response is not enough or too much!
Do try and get sorted. Something is not right!

My best wishes, take care!
 
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Kyambala

Well-Known Member
Messages
382
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Gliclazide is a medication which can cause hypos.
@Lamont D said: "it is not usual to get hypos with T2, unless you take too much insulin or on meds!"
He didn't say it's unusual to get hypos when on meds, he was speaking of unmedicated T2's.

Good evening Antje

Thank you for the correction - a good job that you spotted the clause about meds as opposed to unmedicated.Type 2.

My apologies to Lamont.

Have a good night.
 

Kyambala

Well-Known Member
Messages
382
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
The readings you are postings very worrisome!


If you are continually getting these readings, which along with the high readings in your other post, there is clearly something going on, which is atypical T2!
It maybe the glicizide, or the insulin wether natural or injected that is driving down the glucose levels!
But what is driving up glucose levels to the high levels?
I don't know your dietary regime is! But because of the high levels, there is something that is doing this!

I would suggest a second diagnostic with a different doctor or a referral to a specialist.
Glicizide and insulin is not a usual treatment for T2, unless you are insulin dependent, but even that is unusual!

I was misdiagnosed with T2, my readings were never uniform except for fasting, which because I didn't have dawn phenomenon, it was noticeable in my food diary and along with my hba1c levels, that I couldn't be diabetic to my specialist. But I still had high glucose levels after carbs, and then had lows, I was not on any meds except metformin, which was stopped immediately.
Maybe, The reason why you are having brain issues, and I've been there before my true diagnosis, is that brain function will definitely develop problems when blood glucose levels are on a rollercoaster ride up and down, due to hyperinsulinimia or hyperglycaemia or both, with insulin resistance and your hormonal response is not enough or too much!
Do try and get sorted. Something is not right!

Good evening Lamont.

First of all - I apologise for misreading your earlier post - I missed out the words "or on meds". Now i understand.

When I was on tablets (10 years ago) if my head felt "foggy" I thought that it was an indication of low BS when in fact it was the opposite.
Now that I am on Insulin I don't get a "foggy" brain because I have learnt the value of varying my Insulin needs according to my Meter readings and my diet.
My diet is mainly salads with plenty of greens = if I have a cooked meal it is again with plenty of greens. My carb intake might consist of 2 very small popatoes. I do not eat ANY junk foods. Occasionally (once a month) I might eat fish and chips.

FBS usually between 5 and 6. If I have a cold it can jump up to 8 or 9. HbA1c between 46 and 50.

Thank you for your comments.


My best wishes, take care!
 

ZoëSilva

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Good afternoon Zoe,
I am completely baffled by your statement "even on days when I didn't need to take Insulin" - Insulin gives you the energy to get through your day.

Can you please clarify.

Hi Kyambala, on days where I have a particularly low carb day, I will only need to take minimal insulin or in some cases, nothing at all.
 
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ZoëSilva

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi

,
What meds are you on? Other than insulin?
Also what was your hba1c, to give you the 2 diagnosis?

The reason I ask is, it is not usual to get hypos with T2, unless you take too much insulin or on meds!

Best wishes

Hi Lamont, the only other medication I take is Empagliflozin, it's the only one that works right for me (I spent many years between hospitals with baffled doctors and diabetic specialists scratching their heads with my case of Type 2) My HbA1c at my time of diagnosis was around 88. I currently use a FreeStyle Libre sensor and I am within 4-9 target range around 90-100% of the day and have excellent control. The times where I may have a hypo is either during the night, where it can drop to 2.3, or after strenuous exercise and/or where I have forgotten my glucose tablets. I would definitely say I am not your "typical" T2, but I think it's good for people to be aware of the huge variety of T2's and T1's. It's difficult to put everyone in the same box in each category :)
 

Kyambala

Well-Known Member
Messages
382
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi Kyambala, on days where I have a particularly low carb day, I will only need to take minimal insulin or in some cases, nothing at all.

Good afternoon Zoe,

I am still baffled - are you on tablets as well as Insulin? Without either tablets or Insulin your fasting Blood Sugars would shoot up as soon as you eat food (they shoot up anyway but the Insulin, or tablets, brings them down.

I have been Diabetic 30 years and if I were to miss my Metformin or Insulin my BS would be out of control. If I don't eat I would get Liver Dumps which would also raise my BS.

I have generally good control but it took me 20 years to get there - my meter readings are between 5 and 6.

Have a good day.
 

Lamont D

Oracle
Messages
15,796
Type of diabetes
Reactive hypoglycemia
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
Hi Lamont, the only other medication I take is Empagliflozin, it's the only one that works right for me (I spent many years between hospitals with baffled doctors and diabetic specialists scratching their heads with my case of Type 2) My HbA1c at my time of diagnosis was around 88. I currently use a FreeStyle Libre sensor and I am within 4-9 target range around 90-100% of the day and have excellent control. The times where I may have a hypo is either during the night, where it can drop to 2.3, or after strenuous exercise and/or where I have forgotten my glucose tablets. I would definitely say I am not your "typical" T2, but I think it's good for people to be aware of the huge variety of T2's and T1's. It's difficult to put everyone in the same box in each category :)

Hi again, I still believe there is more happening and I don't believe your doctors know what is happening.
When was the last time you had an hba1c test?
I f you were diagnosed recently, why the need to use insulin? Did your doctors explain why?

the low readings you are getting overnight, could be as others have found out, a cgm can go low during sleep, if you use a finger prick glucometer to verify the reading. You may find it is not a low.
For me, strenuous exercise will give me a liver dump and this will trigger, the reaction I get because of too much glucose for my low background insulin.
I would investigate your symptoms further, ask for another referral maybe!
I would also keep a food diary, along with your cgm results, this will give you a clearer picture.

And, yes there are many types of diabetes or non diabetic metabolic conditions, that the majority of doctors haven't got a clue about!

Keep safe