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1 week into low carb diet

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BigBenRolls

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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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

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. :D

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 :D

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

Viv 8)
 
Cheers for the replies,

makes total sense now that ive looked into what you described as atkins flu. still going well with the diet and discovering new stuff like Greek yogurt! with strawberries yum! also devouring tons of salads and spicing up with some dressings etc. also feeling a bit better in my skin, i used to have dry skin on my face and head which seems to have disappeared also.

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

thanks again.
 
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. :D
 
BigBenRolls said:
i did however nick a bit of chocolate off the wife but boy did i feel it afterwards.
Click to expand...

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
 
catza said:
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. :D
Click to expand...

I shall have to research into this!! :D i'll get some sugar free angel delight and try it out!
 
Just as an update to this, im now finding that 2 hrs after my meal today ( i eat funny times due to work ) that by blood levels are dipping low (3.7, 3.9 and 4.0 today) am i cutting too much out? i dont feel too bad maybe just a swoon here and there.
 
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.
 
Lost another Pound! woo! :D on a bad note my HbA1c result came in at 90? not sure what that means to be perfectly honest. but my nurse whacked my meds up because of it. :thumbdown:
 
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.
 
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