Advanced type 2

Low blood pressure?

 

Hi @Cherath,

It does take some time for our bodies to fully work on a keto diet. For most people it takes about a month, for some people a little more, and sometimes up to three months to fully adapt. According to theory -- the reason for this is that for most of us T2s are almost entirely use glucose metabolism for energy (as consistently high insulin levels, which according to some researchers generally characterizes T2, make it hard to access body fat for energy). Once you lower your insulin levels (by eating lower carb and causing your pancreas to produce less, the impact of which takes some time), you allow your body to switch to fat metabolism (or to use both glucose metabolism and fat metabolism).

So, you might want to give it a few more weeks and see how you feel then. For some, increasing electrolytes may also help (especially salt, but maybe also magnesium and potassium).

 

Ok working through your post I have a few questions too.

Feeling unwell after food. Which food? Saying natural isn’t enough to help identify potential causes. Would it be predominantly fats, proteins carbs for example or certain items like breads, potatoes etc What would be a typical blood glucose level for you at this time before eating and what would it drop down to? I’m wondering if your levels and food options are causing this drop with a related condition called reactive hypoglycaemia. These questions might help give a clearer idea if this is a reasonable idea or not.

the 49 I assume is hba1c? That’s influenced by both highs and lows and if you have a lot of both can look better than it really is I’m afraid as neither really show up in this test.

I suspect part of the problem is that you are adapted to high levels (outside of the lows) then having normal ones will feel like a horrible hypo even though it’s not. Going keto is retraining your body to be comfortable with more normal levels hence the lack of protest when it comes down.

Feeling wiped when you go onto keto isn’t unusual. It’s even been labelled as keto flu. Often it’s solvable to a degree by ensuring you have enough fluids. Carbs hold water. Without carbs you can dehydrate more. Never underestimate how awful this can make you feel. Conversely if you are drinking more you could be flushing the electrolytes that are essential straight out. Having fewer processed foods adds to this effect. So sodium, magnesium and potassium are the biggest suspects. Make sure you have enough of these. Ideally from food but it’s worth trying a supplement for now to lift you out of this adjustment slump. Are you skimping on the fats and still afraid of them? You need fuel still and now it needs to be natural healthy fats and proteins without the carbs. Finally it takes time to learn to be effective at burning ketones and fats for energy. And it will get easier, especially if you’ve resolved any of the other early pitfalls.

 

I find I have to have about 30g of carbs or I feel unwell. I think its about what suits your body whilst still keeping your blood glucose controlled and achieving a healthy weight. I have dropped my HBA1c from 84 to 48 in 3 months and lost 1 and a half stones in 12 months. My Nurse is very impressed. I couldnt eat no carb s