Please someone help me

[SuNuman]

@SuNuman

This makes me feel like I’m not alone. That’s exactly the same as me. It’s horrible isn’t it. Do you have the shakes and blurred vision etc too. How do I find out my A1c?
Have you found anything that helps x

Yes I have all that. Ask your GP for an A1c or ask what the number was of the last one you had. I am at the moment 45 but am trying to lower it. Buy some glucose tablets and when you feel like a hypo is on its way; test your blood sugar then have 2 glucose tablets if needed. They make you feel better almost straight away. I think if you eat too many carbs your blood sugar can spike really high but then go too low, you need to keep a level line. Xxx.

 

[Lamont D]

Yes I have all that. Ask your GP for an A1c or ask what the number was of the last one you had. I am at the moment 45 but am trying to lower it. Buy some glucose tablets and when you feel like a hypo is on its way; test your blood sugar then have 2 glucose tablets if needed. They make you feel better almost straight away. I think if you eat too many carbs your blood sugar can spike really high but then go too low, you need to keep a level line. Xxx.

Hi, @SuNuman
If the poster has RH, then glucose tablets will cause what is known as a rebound effect. This is when when treating a hypoglycaemic episode, the amount of glucose will trigger another high spike which will create too much insulin, which will drive down blood glucose levels into another hypoglycaemic episode.
Glucose do work for most T2s, but you have to be careful with treating non T1 hypoglycaemia.
Can I ask if you have had any reason for your episodes of hypoglycaemia?
Is it your meds?

 

[SuNuman]

Hi, @SuNuman
If the poster has RH, then glucose tablets will cause what is known as a rebound effect. This is when when treating a hypoglycaemic episode, the amount of glucose will trigger another high spike which will create too much insulin, which will drive down blood glucose levels into another hypoglycaemic episode.
Glucose do work for most T2s, but you have to be careful with treating non T1 hypoglycaemia.
Can I ask if you have had any reason for your episodes of hypoglycaemia?
Is it your meds?

I see.
No one has ever given me an answer as to why I have lows. I have just assumed too many carbs/not eaten enough. I used to use jelly babies but very hard to only eat four lol.
I have had lows long before I was diabetic. When pregnant and I had gestational diabetes my readings were often in the 2’s!! But this was some 28 years ago. I have never fainted, just have come very close. X

 

[Lamont D]

I see.
No one has ever given me an answer as to why I have lows. I have just assumed too many carbs/not eaten enough. I used to use jelly babies but very hard to only eat four lol.
I have had lows long before I was diabetic. When pregnant and I had gestational diabetes my readings were often in the 2’s!! But this was some 28 years ago. I have never fainted, just have come very close. X

In my investigation into RH, I found an article from the States, a university clinical trials that often, gestational diabetes mimicked or had similar symptoms of RH. Some patients were so intolerant to certain carbs particularly wheat, grains and starch that it was described as similar to pancreatic conditions that causes hypoglycaemic episodes. Such as pancreatitis or insulinoma.
Some meds will also cause episodes of hypo in T2s.
Maybe you need to be referred to a specialist endocrinologist.
It won't be a waste of time because it would actually help you get better control of your episodes..

 

[Jess Shan]

Hi and welcome to our forum.
what I can glean from your posts is you feel as I did when I was going through the hypos prior to diagnosis and finding myself looking for answers and how to stop the hypos, but there was at the time only one place to find the only advice that worked for me. It was the only place advocating going keto.
If it is RH, the problem you have is intolerance to many foods which will trigger the excess insulin you produce that causes the hypos.
Where your doctors are not understanding the science, they are trying to treat the symptoms after the trigger has already happened. It will of stop the hypos of stop the symptoms.
What I realised with help was to stop the trigger. If it is food, that is causing the hylos, then don't eat that food!
I was being told for over a decade that the eat well plate would make me healthy. When in fact, porridge for breakfast, baked spud, baked beans for lunch. Roast dinner for tea and so on. However after tests, experimenting and keeping a good diary, testing every meal, I found that I didn't hypo after going keto. Of course because of how bad I was, it took time to sort it and I did more research, more testing, more aiming to my specialist endocrinologist, who was brilliant in agreeing with the treatment I was using.
I have read posts on here about Acerbose being prescribed for RH, it is not designed to help of treat RH, the theory is to help you absorb the carbs easier, but it doesn't! This is how I know you doctor doesn't understand the science behind RH.
I took part in clinic trials which meant I had several extended oral glucose tolerance tests, we found that the drug I was taking helped with my very weak initial insulin response. Which is a part of RH. This helped lower the spike that triggered the excess insulin. But it didn't prevent the hylo. But as a back up plan if I didn't stay in ketosis, it would limit the symptoms and the hypo didn't cause me problems.
It was sitagliptin that I'm taking, there is a video on YouTube about it and the clinical trials are on the internet.
I hope you have read about RH it won't be easy, it is now over ten years since diagnosis. But for a couple of instances, I have been hypo free and symptoms free. You don't have to live with it, control it, control your blood glucose levels, your body and brain eventually will be in favour of it.
Have a read and decided yourself how to go about controlling this condition.

Thank you so much. I have started with a low carb diet. I will look into keto. I have a over the phone appointment with my endocrine consultant Tuesday so I will defo mention sitgliptin. Do you do the finger prick test to check your sugar levels x

 

[Lamont D]

Thank you so much. I have started with a low carb diet. I will look into keto. I have a over the phone appointment with my endocrine consultant Tuesday so I will defo mention sitgliptin. Do you do the finger prick test to check your sugar levels x

Yes, I do, only because cgm were not available at the time of my diagnosis and testing regime. I was really methodical in my testing. Mainly pre meal and two hours after.
Do not be surprised if your endo is reluctant to change his advice. There are some that still won't believe that you don't need carbs to be healthy. Or that you need glucose for brain function, he might argue.
in my experience and many others on keto, that is simply not true, I have better brain function and am healthier without carbs.
There are many posts in the RH forum that give you more details, but if you are looking for answers, we will try and help you. Good luck with your endo, let us know how you get on.
Best wishes.

 

[rehab1171]

Hi and welcome to our forum.
what I can glean from your posts is you feel as I did when I was going through the hypos prior to diagnosis and finding myself looking for answers and how to stop the hypos, but there was at the time only one place to find the only advice that worked for me. It was the only place advocating going keto.
If it is RH, the problem you have is intolerance to many foods which will trigger the excess insulin you produce that causes the hypos.
Where your doctors are not understanding the science, they are trying to treat the symptoms after the trigger has already happened. It will of stop the hypos of stop the symptoms.
What I realised with help was to stop the trigger. If it is food, that is causing the hylos, then don't eat that food!
I was being told for over a decade that the eat well plate would make me healthy. When in fact, porridge for breakfast, baked spud, baked beans for lunch. Roast dinner for tea and so on. However after tests, experimenting and keeping a good diary, testing every meal, I found that I didn't hypo after going keto. Of course because of how bad I was, it took time to sort it and I did more research, more testing, more aiming to my specialist endocrinologist, who was brilliant in agreeing with the treatment I was using.
I have read posts on here about Acerbose being prescribed for RH, it is not designed to help of treat RH, the theory is to help you absorb the carbs easier, but it doesn't! This is how I know you doctor doesn't understand the science behind RH.
I took part in clinic trials which meant I had several extended oral glucose tolerance tests, we found that the drug I was taking helped with my very weak initial insulin response. Which is a part of RH. This helped lower the spike that triggered the excess insulin. But it didn't prevent the hylo. But as a back up plan if I didn't stay in ketosis, it would limit the symptoms and the hypo didn't cause me problems.
It was sitagliptin that I'm taking, there is a video on YouTube about it and the clinical trials are on the internet.
I hope you have read about RH it won't be easy, it is now over ten years since diagnosis. But for a couple of instances, I have been hypo free and symptoms free. You don't have to live with it, control it, control your blood glucose levels, your body and brain eventually will be in favour of it.
Have a read and decided yourself how to go about controlling this condition.

 

[rehab1171]

Thanks for a detailed and very interesting reply. I also suffer RH but for basically any carbs even green veggies and protein. My BS during hypos goes to 1.8-2.3. is very hard to get doctors understanding and cooperating. I am prescribed Victoza, Glucobay and I use Libre cause I get hypos during sleep with absolutely no symptoms!. Nothing is working to control it and weight gain was the result of Victoza/ freeguent eating. Keto worked great for a time ( approx a year) but then it stopped cause BS level became to low to function normally ( 3.8-4.2) but, ya, no hypos. This is when doc told me to go median carb and put me on Victoza. As you said it, to prevent initial spike of glucose and the slow response of the pancreas before the shooting of insulin and hypo starting. I agree, we can't just give up because it is affecting all our life from work to relationships to heatlh. Is unfair that there is few research on it- it feels like no one care. In this forum I learned i should question Victoza, may be even stop it, and try again low carb/keto. I will. I wish to learn why keto stoped working? Any idea? I am sharing here so others can be aware of possible outcomes and refer to their doctors/ nurses before making any changes to their diets or medications.

 

[rehab1171]

Hello everyone
was wondering if someone could help me.
I am 30 and For the past year I have been suffering from low sugars. I have more around 2-3 hypos per day which are starting to take even longer to come out of .. I was told I had pre diabetes a year ago but yesterday I had a blood test confirming I have type 2 diabetes but my sugars never go higher than 7/8. So I don’t suffer from hypas just hypos I’m still not getting any answers I’m am under an endocrine team who doesn’t know what is wrong so was hoping someone here could shine some light. Thank you

 

[rehab1171]

How do you have type 2 if your blood sugar doesn't go above 7/8? I am confused. Your symptoms are more of reactive hypoglycemia. The A1C test is a blood test done in the clinic.

 

[Lamont D]

How do you have type 2 if your blood sugar doesn't go above 7/8? I am confused. Your symptoms are more of reactive hypoglycemia. The A1C test is a blood test done in the clinic.

you can have RH and T2! It is when bb levels are out of control for too long and the severity of the spikes and high circulating insulin, high insulin resistance, rollercoaster ride of high blood glucose levels and high hba1c levels.
I was diagnosed prediabetic then misdiagnosed T2.
Once I started low carb my fasting bg levels were in normal levels.
you are on top many meds, and they are not doing you any good whatsoever!

 

[rehab1171]

you can have RH and T2! It is when bb levels are out of control for too long and the severity of the spikes and high circulating insulin, high insulin resistance, rollercoaster ride of high blood glucose levels and high hba1c levels.
I was diagnosed prediabetic then misdiagnosed T2.
Once I started low carb my fasting bg levels were in normal levels.
you are on top many meds, and they are not doing you any good whatsoever!

 

[SuNuman]

In my investigation into RH, I found an article from the States, a university clinical trials that often, gestational diabetes mimicked or had similar symptoms of RH. Some patients were so intolerant to certain carbs particularly wheat, grains and starch that it was described as similar to pancreatic conditions that causes hypoglycaemic episodes. Such as pancreatitis or insulinoma.
Some meds will also cause episodes of hypo in T2s.
Maybe you need to be referred to a specialist endocrinologist.
It won't be a waste of time because it would actually help you get better control of your episodes..

Yes I think you are right X

 

[Dax1973]

hi
i had T2D and it was improved rapidly and was put on metformin x 4 and I had regular hypos but they took me off metformin due to it and my HbA1c went down to the low prediabetic range (40.2 the lowest) (but it has gone back up to 57 now). I put on weight as I was told I was cured and went back to mu old diet!
My diabetes got worse and now I am back on metformin but they are starting much slower this time.
Your meds can do it.

 

[Down-Jai 001]

I stopped eating carb to stop hypo and preventing it by snacking nuts sipping water .

I'm now on keto diet, allowed myself 20 g of carb ( slow release rice)if I am going to do exercises.
I can control the b. glucose now. It was 24 years ago I was diagnosed for T2 when I was in fact MODY . It was the wrong treatment for the wrong kind of diabetes. End up using insulin. Ar the moment my HAb1c 7, on the good control.
KETOGENIC is working for me, lean meat more nuts and lots of vegetables no high sugar fruits.

You have to try and tested yourself, is not one size fits all.
Best of luck
D.J 001.

 

[pinkjude]

I was diagnosed type 2 just over 4 years ago. I was shocked but as it runs in my family on the maternal side regardless of whether people are over weight etc shouldnt have been really. I did ok but didnt test and unbeknown to me some of the foods I was eating as told to me by my diabetic nurse were pushing my levels up. I only realised when I started having UTI's. I did some research and spoke to people on here and found Jason Fung on you tube who is really worth listening to. He talks about the vicious cycle of diabetes and advocates a low carb diet. I was unsure where to start so started by cutting out carbs at breakfast and also bought a meter and tested. Gradually I worked out which foods were fine and which were not. Now my diet is largely eggs, fish, chicken, green leafy veg, salad veg, carrots, courgettes, aubergines, tofu, home made soups and curries and when I make things tthat require a mashed potato top I use mashed cauliflower. For a snack I have nuts such as brazils, almonds and walnuts and I toast or roast a mix of sunflower and pumpkin seeds which can be sprinkles on to salads etc. I joined the NHS low carb programme which has been very helpful. I halved my HBA1c, lost weight and take no medication. However i do have to be very careful and still have random highs and lows down to 3.5 Good luck

 

[micksmixxx]

Welcome @Jess Shan
Has anyone ever mentioned Reactive Hypoglycaemia to you
Have a look at this page, see if it similar to what you are experiencing
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/reactive-hypoglycemia.html#:~:text=Reactive hypoglycemia is the general,within four hours after eating.

If you do have Reactive Hypoglycaemia the orange juice and sweets will only make things worse

From Jess Shan's description, Reactive Hypoglycaemia was my first thought. To be honest, as she's under the care of an endocrinologist I couldn't understand why that isn't being investigated.

You are exactly correct, catinahat, with your assertion that IF it is Reactive Hypoglycaemia the worst thing to do to treat a hypoglycaemic event is to eat sweets and/or drink regular orange juice. This will simply raise your blood glucose levels rapidly, stimulating the pancreas to 'over-produce' insulin in a deliberate attempt to bring the blood glucose level back down, causing a 'rollercoaster' type of effect. i.e. going 'low', going 'high', going 'low' again.

Of course, if your blood glucose level is falling to 2.2 mmol/l then you DO need something sweet to raise your blood glucose level quickly, but this should be followed up with something 'more substantial', such as a sandwich, etc. and preferably one that contains not just carbs but also fat, which will slow down the rate at which it's broken down and absorbed into the bloodstream. (I guess that's one of the reasons that her endocrinologist has prescribed Acarbose, which slows down the rate of absorption of anything imbibed ... either eaten or drunk ... in an attempt to control what's happening with insulin production and/or release.)

 

[micksmixxx]

@catinahat
Yes the doctor believes it is this. But Is this just something I’ll have to live with or is there help for it because it’s just getting worse. Oh the doctor said that’s what I am to have. Do you have any suggestions to what is best to help me come out of a hypo. Also the hypos in the morning before I eat is that normal. I wake up have a coffee with sugar then eat by half 10/11 at work when the hypo has already started but if I eat earlier I hypo more throughout the day

Unfortunately, Jess Shan, there is no medication (or surgery) to directly treat Reactive Hypoglycaemia. Control is via dietary control. i.e. learning how your body reacts to eating and/or drinking various foods/drinks. As I said in my response to catinahat, foods that contain more fat do slow down absorption of foods, and hence the release of glucose into the bloodstream.

 

[frankyscouse]

Hello everyone
was wondering if someone could help me.
I am 30 and For the past year I have been suffering from low sugars. I have more around 2-3 hypos per day which are starting to take even longer to come out of .. I was told I had pre diabetes a year ago but yesterday I had a blood test confirming I have type 2 diabetes but my sugars never go higher than 7/8. So I don’t suffer from hypas just hypos I’m still not getting any answers I’m am under an endocrine team who doesn’t know what is wrong so was hoping someone here could shine some light. Thank you

Hey I am a type 1 diabetic, for about 4 years, if you search on YouTube there is a Dr bernstein who is a expert and has been a diabetic for over 70 years, he has broke down a plan that works for everybody, basically it's low carbs.
Not gonna lie its tough to avoid rice /bread/pasta /cakes etc but my blood sugars don't shoot up then crash down which causes hypos, I have been doing it for about 3 weeks and my blood sugars have been perfect, have lost over half a stone and haved the amount of insulin I was using, I generally think this could be caused by what you eat but I would definitely look into Dr bernstein.
Hope this helps good look franky

 

[Lamont D]

Hey I am a type 1 diabetic, for about 4 years, if you search on YouTube there is a Dr bernstein who is a expert and has been a diabetic for over 70 years, he has broke down a plan that works for everybody, basically it's low carbs.
Not gonna lie its tough to avoid rice /bread/pasta /cakes etc but my blood sugars don't shoot up then crash down which causes hypos, I have been doing it for about 3 weeks and my blood sugars have been perfect, have lost over half a stone and haved the amount of insulin I was using, I generally think this could be caused by what you eat but I would definitely look into Dr bernstein.
Hope this helps good look franky

Hi, not trying to be disagreeable but RH is a completely non diabetic condition where intolerance to carbs is the cause of the trigger to overproduction of insulin into hypoglycaemia.
As far as I am aware, there is no other treatment except being in ketosis and zero carb.
Meds and carbs do not stop excess insulin or the hypoglycaemia.
Best wishes.