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Anorexic low bloods

donnellysdogs

Master
Messages
13,233
Location
Northampton
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
People that can't listen to other people's opinions.
People that can't say sorry.
Totally off subject to diabetes in a way, so apologies. However.. As a T1 I know efeects of my glucose levels going so low as 2.6...

So, I have a friend that is a size 0 and has been admitted to a special eating disorder clinic. Her glucose levels are running in the 2's.... 2.6 or 2.8 ish for 7 days so far.. Her typing via email and txts is like a drunk..
She gets givenan orange juice to bring levels up to 4.0 but then they sink again into the 2's.

My question's- is she going to feel as horrible as I do when at levels in the 2's to 4...? Obviously my levels are easily treated with sweets etc but are her levels likely to stay low until her weight returns to a slim normal?

This is only week 1, but I hate to think of her feeling in a more permanent state of hypo similar to how I do as a type 1....
 
I don't know the answer to this. My guess would be that her levels are likely to stay low until she gets to normal body weight. I have no knowledge to back this up, It's just my logic that says that a T1 is 'managing' their BG's and occasionally something goes wrong, so it's fairly quick to put right, if caught in time. Your friend has been 'running on empty' for a long time and I feel it will take a lot longer for her body to adjust.

Well that was a rubbish answer, sorry, but at least I've bumped your post :)
 
I suspect she doesn't feel the same. I used to have periods of eating very little with concequent low BG, and though I fainted more than most people and my migraines increased, I generally felt well if a little floaty. During the time years later that I spent on insulin (MODY misdiagnosed as T1), I had a few hypos and felt dreadful. I wonder whether the main difference was fear? We're given such dire warnings about the consequences of hypos that fear and panic may make our reaction worse.

Kate
 

Low Blood Sugar- can indicate problems with the liver or kidneys and can lead to neurological and mental deterioration.

Elevated Blood Sugar- can lead to diabetes, liver and kidney shut down, circulatory and immune system problems.
http://www.edreferral.com/consequences_of_ed.htm

If you read both these articles you will see that the physical symptoms of anorexia include disrupted sugar levels regardless of whether they are diabetic or not.
 
Thankyou.....its devastating to read from my friend her thoughts. They wake her at 2am to check her bloods and all during the day as well.
I hope so much that she can get through this. Seeing her typing last night was as if she was drunk.... And I know my txts etc can get like this when my levels are low...
My heart sinks to think of her being so ill. Just trying to grasp an understanding of whether her low bloods as a non diabetic will feel the same as mine. Your help is fantastic. Thankyou.
 
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