1 week into low carb diet

hi i started my low carb tuesday
i feel awfull had to low sugars didnt help
maybe your meds are to high for a low carb diet
i think thats my problem
and your body having to adjust
can you speak to your diabetic nuse
take care

BigBenRolls said:

Hiey guys,

after the kick up the bum off the doctor i've been on a low carb diet (with some help from you guys) and i'm finding im feeling shaky etc like i'm a bit hypo but my readings tend to be "normal" levels i.e today its 5.7 on my meter as we speak 3 hrs after my meal, but it has been around 6.5 and 7.1 when ive tested.

is this just because my body is having a wobbly at the lack of carbs? or just adjusting to the drastic change of calories being taken?

love some advice or tips etc.

Big Ben.

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It's called a "false hypo", it's because you're brain isn't used to operating with nearly normal BG levels. It's a sign that you're doing well!

Well done!

159redbus said:

hi i started my low carb tuesday
i feel awfull had to low sugars didnt help
maybe your meds are to high for a low carb diet
i think thats my problem
and your body having to adjust
can you speak to your diabetic nuse
take care

Click to expand...

159redbus, I see from your profile that you are on quite a lot of meds for high blood glucose. You may be right about your meds. If low-carbing is bringing your BG readings down (which it should be) you may have to talk to your doctor about reducing your medication, to stop you getting hypos. Meanwhile, keep a close eye on your BGs.

Big Ben, if your BGs have been running quite high for a while, it's not unusual to get 'hypo'-type symptoms as your levels come down. Your body is simply accustomed to higher levels! Also, in the early stages of a low-carb diet you have carb cravings to get rid of, and you might get a bit headachey and shivery-feeling as you cut the carbs. This is known as "Atkins flu", and many people get it. If your BGs are okay, don't worry - you'll soon come out the other side. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water - I try to get through 2 litres a day. This will stop you feeling hungry and will keep you well hydrated. Much of the weight you lose in the first couple of weeks is fluid; don't worry, drinking water won't put your weight up again

Good luck - and ask any questions you like. We're here to help.

Viv 8)

You can get 85% dark chocolate at most supermarkets and if you are lucky then you will be able to have some without spiking your BS readings. Aldi and Lidl both sell really nice bars at very reasonable prices. Try a little grated on top of your Yogurt and strawberrys then try to convince your family that being a diabetic restricts your dessert choices.

BigBenRolls said:

i did however nick a bit of chocolate off the wife but boy did i feel it afterwards.

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You will find that as your numbers decrease, your sensitivity to sugars will increase - so that something that you could get away with before might now make you feel worse. I don't think that your numbers rise any more than they did before, it's just that you're more sensitive to the rise.

I

Hi Ben, what meds are you on? It could be that your meds are too high for your new levels ...?

Then I think you need to go back to the docs, the Gliclazide might be bringing your BG too low. It happened to me I was shaky before meals and lightheaded so the doc took me off it.

90 converts to 10.38% in old money, so too high but remember that HBA1C is an average over the last 3 months. From the numbers you're seeing it sounds like the low carb diet is having an effect. You need lots of determination in the early stages so hang in there.

I got the same kind of wobbly feeling for the first week os so and then it went - I assummed it was down to what others have mentioned about the body having false hypo in response to sudden reduction in circulating glucose.
After 3 weeks I started to feel a little light headed if i stood up too quickly and found that my BP had dropped significantly and is now in the low range (Im on Lisinopril too) so it might be worth you getting that checked out if you keep on feeling wobbly

It's called a "false hypo", it's because you're brain isn't used to operating with nearly normal BG levels. It's a sign that you're doing well!

Well done![/quote]

Am just into my second week, and was having similar symptoms. I too was a bit confused, as after testing I was around 8, so didn't think I was in Hypo range. Glad to know am heading the right way. Got my dieticians appointment tomorrow, so am sure there will be a few disagreements to my 100 carb diet.