Bg reading lowest ever is this ok

[PatsyB]

at 4.6 I have to eat something...but prefer it down there than up higher

 

[amgrundy]

Provided you are still only taking Metformin and you felt fine, you're f
The 5 to drive is for those on heavier drugs than Metformin, like insulin. On Metformin you are fine to drive on a lower number provided you feel fine. If you feel off or rough, then don't drive, irrespective of anything else. That last bit is just common sense really.

My numbers now seem to run naturally low, and I am often down into the 3s and feel fine. I don't take any medication at all.

Just listen to your body. If you are beginning to run this low regularly, then it may be possible to reduce your medication, if that would be what you want to do.

Well done. The hard work is paying off.

Hi Thank you for that as only being diagnosed in Jan this year I am fairly new to all this and still in the learning period as they say. BG reading this morning 4.9. If these readings stay in the 4s think I will see the doc to see if I need to reduce to 1 Metformin daily instead of two.

 

[uart]

Hi Thank you for that as only being diagnosed in Jan this year I am fairly new to all this and still in the learning period as they say. BG reading this morning 4.9. If these readings stay in the 4s think I will see the doc to see if I need to reduce to 1 Metformin daily instead of two.

Yeah good call. Metformin doesn't usually have a huge effect on BG levels, and if you can take less and stay in control then all the better.

Don't be alarmed by BG readings in the 4.x range. The normal range for fasting blood glucose levels in a non diabetic is 3.9 to 5.0 (or 3.9 to 5.5 depending on what country's definition you use). So readings like 4.6 are totally normal non diabetic levels. This is seriously a cause for celebration rather than concern and worry.

One reason why people sometimes get (needlessly) alarmed at readings in the "fours" is the driving restriction of "under 5 don't drive". This is for people taking insulin (or insulin promoting drugs), and it's set very conservatively because someones BG levels can drop fairly rapidly on insulin, and BG levels that are too low cause far more acute problems than BG levels too high. For example, say someone started out driving at 4.5 and during the drive it dropped by a further 2 units. This could be disastrous. On the other hand if they started out at 8 (too high) and it rose by a further 2 points while driving, there would be no acute effects.

 

[amgrundy]

Yeah good call. Metformin doesn't usually have a huge effect on BG levels, and if you can take less and stay in control then all the better.

Don't be alarmed by BG readings in the 4.x range. The normal range for fasting blood glucose levels in a non diabetic is 3.9 to 5.0 (or 3.9 to 5.5 depending on what country's definition you use). So readings like 4.6 are totally normal non diabetic levels. This is seriously a cause for celebration rather than concern and worry.

One reason why people sometimes get (needlessly) alarmed at readings in the "fours" is the driving restriction of "under 5 don't drive". This is for people taking insulin (or insulin promoting drugs), and it's set very conservatively because someones BG levels can drop fairly rapidly on insulin, and BG levels that are too low cause far more acute problems than BG levels too high. For example, say someone started out driving at 4.5 and during the drive it dropped by a further 2 units. This could be disastrous. On the other hand if they started out at 8 (too high) and it rose by a further 2 points while driving, there would be no acute effects.

Hi uart, Thank you for your reply it really has helped. Not worrying now.

 

[JohnEGreen]

This is for people taking insulin (or insulin promoting drugs), and it's set very conservatively because someones BG levels can drop fairly rapidly on insulin,

Unless of course if you happen to be HGV or PCV drivers where the rule applies to all diabetics.

 

[cyril.rayner]

Hi Cyril and welcome. If you feel that you are having hypo's, it's best to have a word with your gp, or diabetic nurse as your insulin may need adjusting a bit. I hope you don't mind me pointing this out but you are still type 2! If you are on insulin now, all it means is that you are insulin dependent type 2, you're not a type 1.

Thanks ladybirdd64 you have put my mind at rest but how can you tell that I am T2 and not T1? I know I started of T2 and on Metformin, then I went into Hospital for a Bladder Infection and they put me on Injections so I thought I had gone to T1, I shall see my Doctor. Thanks again

 

[ladybird64]

Hi Cyril. No, if you are put on injections, that doesn't make you type 1, but it's a common mistake that many people make! Type 1 diabetes affects mainly children and younger people (but certainly not all) and it means their pancreas does not work at all - ours does in type 2 but needs to have some help! So, if you were type 2, taking Metformin and / or other tablets which no longer were helping you, then insulin or other injectable is the next step - but you will always be a type 2, just a type 2 on injections!

Hope that helps

 

[Oldvatr]

Thanks ladybirdd64 you have put my mind at rest but how can you tell that I am T2 and not T1? I know I started of T2 and on Metformin, then I went into Hospital for a Bladder Infection and they put me on Injections so I thought I had gone to T1, I shall see my Doctor. Thanks again

Happened to me when i was in hospital with a major staph infection, all my organs went into ***? mode, and i was put on an insulin drip for a while. But I came off it and back on the orals and currently doing quite well.

 

[cyril.rayner]

Thanks again ladybirdd64, I have seen my diabetic nurse and she has clarified that I am T2 and explained the difference this is some thing that I was never told in hospital or by any one ells, so for the last 3 to4 years I've been thinking I've been T1. Bless you, its taken a load off my mind.

 

[ladybird64]

Thanks again ladybirdd64, I have seen my diabetic nurse and she has clarified that I am T2 and explained the difference this is some thing that I was never told in hospital or by any one ells, so for the last 3 to4 years I've been thinking I've been T1. Bless you, its taken a load off my mind.

You're more than welcome Cyril