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can't tolerate lower sugars - type 1

G

goji

Well-Known Member
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251
Hi

I've had IDDM for about 10 years. I never paid it much attention and tended to run things high so as not to have any hypos at work. However I recently was misdiagnosed with neuropathy (turned out to be something else causing the pain) but during the process I did a lot of reading about diabetic complications and am now starting to worry about taking better care of myself. :shock:

I recently had a series of HBA1C's done over the past few months that were: 8.6, 8.0, 7.5

I'm not sure what the ideal number is I'm supposed to be trying for (7? or 6?)

The main problem is, I get very hypo symptoms as soon as my blood sugar hits about 5.5. I just can't tolerate the shakiness/adrenaline rush/panic feeling at all and have to eat some sugar to get rid of the feelings. I feel much more 'normal when my blood sugar is around 7-8. I know that in order to get my HBA1C down, I need to lower my sugars, but how can you tolerate constant hypo feelings when your sugars go lower?

Any advice would be appreciated.
Ps. my docs aren't much help which is why I'm asking you guys (the experts) for some advice.
goji :D
 
I know where you are coming from. It would seem that because you have been running high numbers for some time it will take the body time to adjust to the lower averages that you are now achieving.
 
You don't have to tolerate constant hypo feelings. Hang in there, it'll take a few weeks for your body to get accept the lower level as normal. When you feel hypo, always test your bs. Obviously if you're really hypo, you need carbs. If you're above 4, you're not in danger of passing out - unless of course it continues to fall, into real hypo. Try eating something filling but carb-free (like lettuce) or some protein to make yourself feel full quickly. I find a handful of nuts works for me, but check first because some nuts do contain carbs. Hopefully this will trick your body that you've eaten something to treat the symptoms. Check again if hypo feeling continues, in case your bs has continued to fall and reached real hypo level.

Similarly if you ever find you're not recognising hypos until down in the 2s, you'd need to run a little higher for a few weeks to reprogramme yourself.

An HbA1c between 6 and 6.5 or 7 is widely viewed (by medics) as good control. That's your first target. The lower the better but gradual reduction is better than sudden drops. No good having HbA1c of 5 if your life is blighted with bad hypos, also sudden drops can affect your eyes.
 
Definatly! you have to make your body adjust to the lower level! I know a couple of weeks ago i was averageing 16. the meds slowly dropped me to 10 and i felt awful. really really shaky and nasty, all you can do really is jsut chill out and put up with it as much as you can. i know it took a few days for me to feel right at 10 and then i increased my doses and i dropped to about 7. same thing, shaky emotional not nice feeling. but it does ease off. honest. I'm now averaging between 6 and 8 and i don't feel rubbish till i get to 3.8.
it's just your body being addicted to the sugar and panicing becuase its not there anymore. it will get better, promise.
 
The guys are quite right, once again.
Your body has simply become accustomed to abnormally high blood sugar and does a wee bit of cold turkey when it drops lower. The point at which you feel hypo will move down the scale towards the 3 / 4 mmol/l mark which is where it should be as you gain better control.

All the best,

fergus
 
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