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Can anyone explain?

J

jitsujones

Newbie
Messages
4
I have been getting very low readings for the last couple of days, even down to 3.4 on Friday. To try and remove all possibilities of machine error tonight I used 2 different packs of the test strips for my freestyle optium (have a friend with the same machine)

I did 4 tests within 5 minutes and the results were:
3.8 mine
6.2 his
5.0 mine
5.3 his

Help?
 
Testing with our own machines is 't that accurate. Up to 15% error has been shown on machines, and further errors can occur with our testing methodology, eg squeezing too near the puncture to get blood. So readings varying from 5 to 6 aren't remarkable - the 3.8 could be an oddity. The numbers themselves aren't terribly low according to when you took them. I've had a 3.2 after 9 holes of golf and no food! I see you're a type 2 and not injecting - what oral meds are you on? And when did you take the tests - 2 hours after eating? Or after exercise with no food? Trying to see why you're concerned.
 
Hi, thanks for your reply. Since last Thursday every test I have done has been a maximum of 4.5, no matter when I have done them. The last 4 pre-breakfast have been 3.4, 3.8, 4.1, 3.6. Before a meal the last 4 have been 4.1, 3.6, 4.3, 4.6 and last night 1 hours after a meal 6.1.

Up until these readings I had never had a reading below 5 and all of a sudden they almost all are. Hence the concern.
 
I wouldn't be concerned - I'd be delighted! Virtually non-diabetic levels evern after eating. The low 3's are a tad low, but according to what medication you're on and wehat lifestyle you lead, it's not neccesarily a problem. If you were on insulin, you'd be concerned about poptential hypos with the 3.4 and 3.6, and if you're on certain oral drugs you could have a potrntially similar concern; if you're just on metformin you don't run the same risk of dangerous hypos so I wouldn't be concerned with them. We need a bit more info to be more helpful to you.
The readings in the 3's were before meals; were they after a fair amount of exercise since the previous meal?
Again, what meds do you take?
How long since your diagnosis? If you've lost a lot of weight since then, you could have improved your sensitivity to insulin so with a sensible diet, you may be able to reduce any meds you are on.
let us know, and we may be able to clarify things more. Meanwhile, unless you're having physical symptons that worry you, just enjoy!
 
Forgot to reply about meds. Metformin (500mg) 3x a day and Gliclazide (40mg) 1x a day. That was 80x2 but the consultant changed it last week before all these low readings.

Diagnosis was 4 weeks today - first readings were 17.4 and then 16.8. Last week was off work and doing stuff in the garden so most of the readings were after low level exercise.

Back to work today and 5.1 this morning and 6.1 two hours after lunch, so not so low.
 
Looks like your doing really well

Keep an eye, as if your low carbing you may find over time you don't need quite as many meds.

Mary x
 
Yeah, got the picture now. The low level exercise is a good way of getting BGs down, and would account for the low readings. Golf is a sort of stroll, but gets me really low readings. So, the message is very well done, stick to the diet, keep up the exercise, and the doc might be able to take you off the gliclazide all together. Keep on the metformin though; doesn't do much to the BG, but is a good long term protection against cardio vascular complications
 
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