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4.3 is that too low? Felt 'wobbly'

berylc

berylc

Well-Known Member
Messages
785
Location
Scotland
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
When people who know nothing about the LCHF diet tell me I'm killing myself being on it. I was killing myself not being on it!
On a fasting day, so nothing to eat since a snack on some cheese about 11.15 pm last night. Just tested my levels as I felt a bit 'wobbly' and I was 4.3 So seeing as tea isn't cooked yet, another 45 mins or so, I had a spoon of peanut butter with a square of 90% cocoa chocolate and about 1/2 tsp bit of homemade greengage jam. I don't feel wobbly now, well not as bad.
Should I have waited until my meal or did I do the right thing?
When we were away at son's wedding we went for a walk with our son and of course I'd not taken any testing equipment with me (lesson learnt) and felt very wobbly then too, so had a small bite of Damson 'paste' sold in the cheese shop and sliced as cheese (bought a piece weighing 0.088kg and it will last me for at least 1 week, if not longer!) and that stopped the wobbly feeling.
 
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Not too low as such but it may feel a bit odd if you aren't used to be there. The first time I went below 4 I did feel a bit woozy but my body soon made up for it. As you get used to being lower then you won't feel it.. I have been down to 3.5 and felt fine on day 3 of an extended fast.
I think you aren't taking any meds is that right?
 
It was probably a 'false hypo'!

That is because your body is still adjusting to running on low glucose levels.

The more time you spend on or near normal levels, the less these symptoms will get.

Yes, you did the right thing, as long as you don't overdo the carbs when feeling this way. Just enough to give a boost, then eat something low carb when you feel a little better.

Best wishes
 
Yes, probably a "false" hypo.

I tested 4.2 a few minutes ago which is usual for this time of day for me.
 
4.3 when the BG is under 100% control of your body is not an issue, but it can be an issue if you are taking any drugs that makes it harder for your body to increase BG when it needs to.
 
Thanks for your advice. I had a meat pie for tea, a gift from my sister in law. I say I had a pie, but only 3 pieces of meat and about 1 inch square of pastry! But lots of veg. I'm off out for a walk with the pup soon to work it off!
 
berylc said:
On a fasting day, so nothing to eat since a snack on some cheese about 11.15 pm last night. Just tested my levels as I felt a bit 'wobbly' and I was 4.3 So seeing as tea isn't cooked yet, another 45 mins or so, I had a spoon of peanut butter with a square of 90% cocoa chocolate and about 1/2 tsp bit of homemade greengage jam. I don't feel wobbly now, well not as bad.
Should I have waited until my meal or did I do the right thing?
When we were away at son's wedding we went for a walk with our son and of course I'd not taken any testing equipment with me (lesson learnt) and felt very wobbly then too, so had a small bite of Damson 'paste' sold in the cheese shop and sliced as cheese (bought a piece weighing 0.088kg and it will last me for at least 1 week, if not longer!) and that stopped the wobbly feeling.
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Hi there I got to say that when I get a 4 then I would slowly sip on a glass of milk, can't drink it too quick or I'll trow up. Always worth a re-check if you get odd numbers fell for it myself today got a high of 9.8 after dinner re-test after washing my hands and got a 5.4 mmmmmm that's better.
 
@berylc - I agree with the others that your number wasn't anything to be concerned about. It's likely, just recently uncharted territory for you.

Personally, I'm fine with low numbers, but whilst your body is reaching it's "new normal" for you, if you feel like that again, with the same amount of time to go before eating a meal, it could be useful just to try having a cup of tea with some milk in it. That should be enough to bring you up, just a bit, without going too high, then taking on board a meal.

I'm not suggesting you did anything wrong, but for me, I like to try to just nudge things a bit, rather than head straight for the sweet stuff.
 
DCUKMod said:
@berylc - I agree with the others that your number wasn't anything to be concerned about. It's likely, just recently uncharted territory for you.

Personally, I'm fine with low numbers, but whilst your body is reaching it's "new normal" for you, if you feel like that again, with the same amount of time to go before eating a meal, it could be useful just to try having a cup of tea with some milk in it. That should be enough to bring you up, just a bit, without going too high, then taking on board a meal.

I'm not suggesting you did anything wrong, but for me, I like to try to just nudge things a bit, rather than head straight for the sweet stuff.
Click to expand...

I was home alone so got worried. Next time I won't panic! Thanks for all of your advice folks.
 
berylc said:
On a fasting day, so nothing to eat since a snack on some cheese about 11.15 pm last night. Just tested my levels as I felt a bit 'wobbly' and I was 4.3 So seeing as tea isn't cooked yet, another 45 mins or so, I had a spoon of peanut butter with a square of 90% cocoa chocolate and about 1/2 tsp bit of homemade greengage jam. I don't feel wobbly now, well not as bad.
Should I have waited until my meal or did I do the right thing?
When we were away at son's wedding we went for a walk with our son and of course I'd not taken any testing equipment with me (lesson learnt) and felt very wobbly then too, so had a small bite of Damson 'paste' sold in the cheese shop and sliced as cheese (bought a piece weighing 0.088kg and it will last me for at least 1 week, if not longer!) and that stopped the wobbly feeling.
Click to expand...
I know how you feel . I have felt the same. I don't always know when my blood sugar is low 3.8 no warning. Sometimes I feel wobbly by default I seem to do the right thing but not always . I usually have some sort of food on hand. I now have glucose tabs and/or glucose jelly beans on hand. I try to do this first. I also know we are humans and can make mistakes. Most important we are individuals so we will have different symptoms as long as we have a plan a to deal with it. Anything to stop the wobbly feeling counts.
 
I've definitely been feeling slightly funny lately as my numbers have started getting down into the high 4s recently (having usually been in the teens a few months ago) - bit tired, headachy, unable to focus. Hopefully it won't last too long!
 
I usually go for a spoonful of virgin coconut oil if I feel hypo like symptoms in the lower 4s and 3s.

It doesn't raise the glucose level...but it will provide additional ketones to the brain...Aha!
 
If your body is used to running higher sugar levels any below 6 could feel like a hypo .....swings and roundabouts for me but I'm on Metformin linagliptin also novorapid and levemir insulin ....it doesn't help having a fairly active job my levels can get confused as soon as the hot weather and overalls take effect
 
Jofster01582 said:
Just remember under 5 do not drive ....stay safe during the day
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According to my diabetic nurse today I don't need to test, so how would I know I'm low....... told her I was in the low 4's. Just as well I hate driving and use my bus pass whenever I can.
 
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