can type 2`s get hypos?

[Andy12345]

hi, ive read soooo much in the last month how can i not know this/..... im type 2 i think and my bg testing is gone through the floor ive been in the 4`s all day today going as low as 4.2, after all this trying to get bg down now im afraid i can go to low is it possible? sorry if this is a dumb question, thanks
Andy

 

[BobCornelius]

No such thing as a dumb question, Andy!

As a type 2, what are you taking? Some oral meds can take you low, as of course, can insulin!

4.2 is kewl, but you don't want to go any lower that that, if you can!



Bob

 

[Andy12345]

Thanks Bob, i am on 2000mg metformin a day statins and lispopril or something like that for blood pressure, im 4 weeks to the day from diagnosis, im eating low carb as possible (its become a bit of an obsession to be honest) i have lost 1 stone in weight and am now going to the gym pretty much everyday, diabetes has consumed me but i kinda never thought about what happens if my bg ever went down it was 24.9 4 weeks ago and hbc test was 106

 

[BobCornelius]

Hey Andy,

Lisinopril is an ACE (angiotensin-converting-enzyme ) inhibitor, used to control high blood pressure!

2G of Metformin ( it makes better use of the insulin you do produce), is unlikely to let you hypo, but nonetheless keep an eye on your bg level! Don't exercise at 4.2 ( in my opinion ).

Talk to your GP / Diabetic Specialist Nurse (DSN)



Bob

 

[Andy12345]

thanks very much, i have an appt with dn on wednesday so i will keep an eye on it and wont exercise like you say, thanks

 

[Sid Bonkers]

Hi Andy, as T2 on metformin you are unlikely to suffer a problem with Hypoglycaemia as your liver and muscles will not let your bg level drop too low and will regulate your bg level by releasing their stored glycogen but to answer your question, yes a T2 can have a hypo just as anyone even a non diabetic can, hypoglycaemia just means low blood sugar

If you are regularly recording levels in the 4's it may be worth reducing your metformin down to 500mg twice a day and see what effect the reduction has as I have just done but please discuss it with your doc first as I have no medical knowledge and dont know your personal medical history.

It sounds as though your doing something right anyway :thumbup:

 

[Finzi]

Wow Andy, fours are amazing! You're doing better than me, I've had some fours but mainly fives. Remember, normal glucose, for a non diabetic, is between 3.5 and 5. Four is not "hypo". Different for type 1 diabetics, they would have reason to be concerned with a four because they are artificially injecting their insulin and might have injected too much. All your fours show is that your control is fabulous and your insulin resistance has much improved. If you are not feeling unwell (and there's no reason why you should be - my strapping rugby playing 16 year old son has just tested his sugar for fun/curiosity and it was 3.8) then probably the only thing you might do is discuss with your doctor next time you see him whether you need to be on quite so much Metformin. As for exercise, well maybe have a small snack beforehand (but protein would probably be better than carbs because it is slower releasing of glucose)


Type 2 on Metformin, diagnosed Jan 2013, ultra low carber, Hba1C at diagnosis 8% (64), average BS now between 5 and 6 mmol.

 

[staycalm&hopeful]

hi andy,
Yes you can get hypos if type 2, I am on metformin,clizacide,simvastin.My case lately i was having 3 aweek in the 2&3
My DSN arranged for my glizacide to be cut down to 2 a day and it worked for me. Athough if 1 go 3-4 hours without food
i can still get the wobbles!
.maybe ask your medical team about your medication. hope this helps :thumbup: DEBS

 

[Finzi]

hi andy,
Yes you can get hypos if type 2, I am on metformin,clizacide,simvastin.My case lately i was having 3 aweek in the 2&3
My DSN arranged for my glizacide to be cut down to 2 a day and it worked for me. Athough if 1 go 3-4 hours without food
i can still get the wobbles!
.maybe ask your medical team about your medication. hope this helps :thumbup: DEBS

Yes but you're on gliclazide. That causes hypos (which is why your DSN has cut it down). Andy is just on Metformin which doesn't cause hypos. ( of course it goes without saying that type 2's on insulin can get hypos also. But not type 2's on diet or Metformin only).


Type 2 on Metformin, diagnosed Jan 2013, ultra low carber, Hba1C at diagnosis 8% (64), average BS now between 5 and 6 mmol.

 

[Daibell]

I agree with the other posts. For most/many people the body is quite good at releasing extra glucose when needed when getting near hypo-land. I've just gone onto insulin and even though my readings are now averaging 4.0 in the mornings I'm fairly sure my body is doing a bit of dumping overnight to stop me going too far below 4.0.

 

[Andy12345]

thankyou guys ive gone from worried to happy , sixes today so far so still nice thanks

 

[hanadr]

Andy
hypos are a function of the treatment NOT USUALLY of diabetes, which causes HIGH blood glucose.
Thus it depends on how you control your condition.
Diet and exercise only T2s may go slightly hypo if the starve themselves [as can non-diabetics!]
Otherwise read the leflet that comes with your medicine. It will tell you.
The chief culprit is Insulin, which can cause hypo in anyone depending on dose.
Sulphonylureas like Gliclazide do it too.
Check out your leaflets.
Then there's False hypo. If your body is accustomed to running with HIGH blood sugar, and it drops to normal; you can feel the symptoms of hypo. You are unlikely to lose consciouness though.
Hana

 

[Andy12345]

thankyou

 

[joycegill]

You CAN go hypo on just Metformin. I went down to 2.8 and 2.9 last week and a couple of weeks ago. I am not on any other diabetes medicines.

I was on insulin until last July and on a diet, after loosing 3st I had to give up the insulin and just keep on the Metformin but my sugars still drop very low occasionally. I am now looking at taking less or stopping the Metformin - doing some experimenting/regular checks at the moment.