Advice please

[Barbara93]

I am 61 year old woman. 8stone and walk 10,000 steps most days & yoga. Hypothyroid 7 years on 50mcg Levothyroxine. I have never felt well since diagnosis, but if your thyroid levels are normal no one is interested. I developed anxiety 5 years ago not on any meds. Have tried CBT but still have symptoms. My bloods with GP are always normal my folate is always on low side. My HBa1c is always 40
I got myself a meter to check if any patterns. My morning BS is 5.4 highest 5.8 I then sometimes check after breakfast of porridge and it is most often exactly same or lower
My symptoms are headaches, agitation, nausea generally unwell feeling. I then have to snack around 4 hours later as I feel funny.
My other nasty symptom is that for several months I wake around 4.45am with what I call adrenaline rush sweaty, anxious, doom & gloom it’s the most awful feeling. I read cortisol is higher in mornings but never used to get this before. Does anyone relate to any of this?
No family history of diabetes or hypothyroidism my daughter has PCOS. She also feels weak if doesn’t eat on time. Finally my BP is always low 90/60 always been same. I follow low carb high fat. If I ever eat high carb my BS will go to 8 but I try to avoid this
Any information would be appreciated thank you.

 

[CatsFive]

I've no idea what is going on, but it doesn't sound like you are diabetic. HbA1c of 40 is below the pre-diabetic range and your blood glucose readings don't suggest it either.

 

[Oldvatr]

It may still be the thyroid causing grief for you. The standard GP test only looks at TSH but there are other markers that should be checked. TSH is just a total level, and not very helpful if you are dipping low in the night. Maybe try altering the timing of the Levothyroxine or possibly splitting the dose to cover the night?

As others have said, your readings are not conclusive in regards to possible diabetic symptoms. The only way to see if your sweaty nights are due to blood sugar is to do a test when they occur. Either a finger test, or possibly a Continuous Glucose Monitor to keep an eye on levels while you sleep. The Abobtt Libre CGM is currently being offered on a short trial basis and could be worth looking into.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

I am 61 year old woman. 8stone and walk 10,000 steps most days & yoga. Hypothyroid 7 years on 50mcg Levothyroxine. I have never felt well since diagnosis, but if your thyroid levels are normal no one is interested. I developed anxiety 5 years ago not on any meds. Have tried CBT but still have symptoms. My bloods with GP are always normal my folate is always on low side. My HBa1c is always 40
I got myself a meter to check if any patterns. My morning BS is 5.4 highest 5.8 I then sometimes check after breakfast of porridge and it is most often exactly same or lower
My symptoms are headaches, agitation, nausea generally unwell feeling. I then have to snack around 4 hours later as I feel funny.
My other nasty symptom is that for several months I wake around 4.45am with what I call adrenaline rush sweaty, anxious, doom & gloom it’s the most awful feeling. I read cortisol is higher in mornings but never used to get this before. Does anyone relate to any of this?
No family history of diabetes or hypothyroidism my daughter has PCOS. She also feels weak if doesn’t eat on time. Finally my BP is always low 90/60 always been same. I follow low carb high fat. If I ever eat high carb my BS will go to 8 but I try to avoid this
Any information would be appreciated thank you.

My 100mcg's of levothyroxine don't get processed well... I take additional B6 and selenium in the morning, so my body uses it better. (My heart responded badly to Cytomel, so I went the alternative route. You might do well on it through, if required). Your blood glucose looks pristine, both finger-prick and HbA1c, so I'd really ask for a referral for an endo, to get your other thyroid levels checked. A GP doesn't look beyond a TSH, and I don't know about where you are, but in the Netherlands they can't even order a full panel, the specialist has to do that.

Don't let this go. You shouldn't have to feel like this.
Hugs,
Jo

 

[KennyA]

I am 61 year old woman. 8stone and walk 10,000 steps most days & yoga. Hypothyroid 7 years on 50mcg Levothyroxine. I have never felt well since diagnosis, but if your thyroid levels are normal no one is interested. I developed anxiety 5 years ago not on any meds. Have tried CBT but still have symptoms. My bloods with GP are always normal my folate is always on low side. My HBa1c is always 40
I got myself a meter to check if any patterns. My morning BS is 5.4 highest 5.8 I then sometimes check after breakfast of porridge and it is most often exactly same or lower
My symptoms are headaches, agitation, nausea generally unwell feeling. I then have to snack around 4 hours later as I feel funny.
My other nasty symptom is that for several months I wake around 4.45am with what I call adrenaline rush sweaty, anxious, doom & gloom it’s the most awful feeling. I read cortisol is higher in mornings but never used to get this before. Does anyone relate to any of this?
No family history of diabetes or hypothyroidism my daughter has PCOS. She also feels weak if doesn’t eat on time. Finally my BP is always low 90/60 always been same. I follow low carb high fat. If I ever eat high carb my BS will go to 8 but I try to avoid this
Any information would be appreciated thank you.

I agree with what people have said above. It doesn't sound like diabetes to me either given your blood glucose figures.

The sweats etc overnight are most probably to do with a fall in BG while you're asleep. I get it, many people do, diabetic and non-diabetic as well. After the drop your liver then remembers it's supposed to keep your blood glucose at the right levels and corrects it. Everyone's blood glucose fluctuates all the time in response to a huge number of things but this seems to be a bit different. The sweats, adrenaline rush and the nightmares are things I'd like not to have.

Why does the liver switch off? No-one seems to know. I don't think there was much if any evidence for this before the introduction of constant glucose monitors like the CGM. I used one and noticed that my sweats coincided with a BG fall somewhere between 4 and 6 am. I can't be sure how big the drop is because the Libre isn't that accurate. By the time I get to do a finger test, BG is already back to usual levels.

 

[Oldvatr]

I agree with what people have said above. It doesn't sound like diabetes to me either given your blood glucose figures.

The sweats etc overnight are most probably to do with a fall in BG while you're asleep. I get it, many people do, diabetic and non-diabetic as well. After the drop your liver then remembers it's supposed to keep your blood glucose at the right levels and corrects it. Everyone's blood glucose fluctuates all the time in response to a huge number of things but this seems to be a bit different. The sweats, adrenaline rush and the nightmares are things I'd like not to have.

Why does the liver switch off? No-one seems to know. I don't think there was much if any evidence for this before the introduction of constant glucose monitors like the CGM. I used one and noticed that my sweats coincided with a BG fall somewhere between 4 and 6 am. I can't be sure how big the drop is because the Libre isn't that accurate. By the time I get to do a finger test, BG is already back to usual levels.

This introduces science into the expression "waking up in a cold sweat". It is not something I have personally experienced, but then I do make sure I have a midnight snack before turning in so as to ensure my bgl has room to fluctuate. I have a nightly toast + something snack especially if I have had an alcoholic nightcap.

 

[KennyA]

This introduces science into the expression "waking up in a cold sweat". It is not something I have personally experienced, but then I do make sure I have a midnight snack before turning in so as to ensure my bgl has room to fluctuate. I have a nightly toast + something snack especially if I have had an alcoholic nightcap.

I tried that, and just about everything else - nothing works consistently for me.

 

[Barbara93]

It may still be the thyroid causing grief for you. The standard GP test only looks at TSH but there are other markers that should be checked. TSH is just a total level, and not very helpful if you are dipping low in the night. Maybe try altering the timing of the Levothyroxine or possibly splitting the dose to cover the night?

As others have said, your readings are not conclusive in regards to possible diabetic symptoms. The only way to see if your sweaty nights are due to blood sugar is to do a test when they occur. Either a finger test, or possibly a Continuous Glucose Monitor to keep an eye on levels while you sleep. The Abobtt Libre CGM is currently being offered on a short trial basis and could be worth looking into.

Thanks for your reply