Do I have hypoglycemia?

Raider007

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi all,

Just so you know I have not officially been diagnosed with Diabetes. I am into healthy living and started a low carb diet about a 6 months ago. I first started with Carnivore and then after about 3 months started transitioning into Keto. I have lost 10kg of body weight. I am fairly active and do to resistance gym sessions a week and 2 cardio sessions a week. Then we hike and walk the dogs for another 1 to 3 days a week.

I recently got myself the freestyle Libre 2 sensor to track my blood glucose just out of interest to see what my glucose is doing when eating, drinking coffee etc. I am quite interested in insulin and I know there is a link but its not the same thing. Insulin resistance could be completely out of wack and I may not pick it up with the glucose monitor right?
So having seen my results for the past two days using the Libre 2, I have noticed that my glucose drops to about 3 mmol/l (55 mg/dl) while sleeping. See graphs below. I am not 100% sure how to interpret this but from what I read online it seems that I may be suffering from hypoglycemia while sleeping? Any advice from what you can see below and taking into consideration that I am on a low carb high (good) fat diet.

For reference, the limits are set to 3.9 to 6 mmol/l. Thats the green band in the graph.
At around 7:30 I had my first cappuccino and 30 mins later another one.

WhatsApp Image 2025-01-14 at 09.10.06_e8c467ae.jpg


Thanks in advance. If you need any other information please let me know.
 

JoKalsbeek

Expert
Messages
6,453
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi all,

Just so you know I have not officially been diagnosed with Diabetes. I am into healthy living and started a low carb diet about a 6 months ago. I first started with Carnivore and then after about 3 months started transitioning into Keto. I have lost 10kg of body weight. I am fairly active and do to resistance gym sessions a week and 2 cardio sessions a week. Then we hike and walk the dogs for another 1 to 3 days a week.

I recently got myself the freestyle Libre 2 sensor to track my blood glucose just out of interest to see what my glucose is doing when eating, drinking coffee etc. I am quite interested in insulin and I know there is a link but its not the same thing. Insulin resistance could be completely out of wack and I may not pick it up with the glucose monitor right?
So having seen my results for the past two days using the Libre 2, I have noticed that my glucose drops to about 3 mmol/l (55 mg/dl) while sleeping. See graphs below. I am not 100% sure how to interpret this but from what I read online it seems that I may be suffering from hypoglycemia while sleeping? Any advice from what you can see below and taking into consideration that I am on a low carb high (good) fat diet.

For reference, the limits are set to 3.9 to 6 mmol/l. Thats the green band in the graph.
At around 7:30 I had my first cappuccino and 30 mins later another one.

View attachment 71272

Thanks in advance. If you need any other information please let me know.
You're not diabetic, and therefor not on any medication that can lower your blood glucose more that it should go. And you don't have RH, so you don't have a condition that makes you go too low, either. And you're on a carni diet... Those numbers are entirely normal for someone following that way of eating. If you go low, as you've noticed, your blood glucose comes back up on its own, without help from you: that's your liver correcting for lows, so no danger there; the fail-safe the body put in place, is working perfectly fine. From where I'm sitting, your body is doing everything it should be. Also, there's such a thing as compression lows. If you sleep on your meter, it could give a false low reading. But all in all... I don't think there's anything here to worry about. Others'll chime in though, I'm sure, so don't just take my word for it.

But for the moment, relax. ;)
Jo
 
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Raider007

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi @JoKalsbeek thank you so much for taking the time to get back to me. Yeah, I am new to this and just checking to make sure... :)
I did read online that these low glucose levels at night could interfere with your sleep. I do struggle to get decent sleep most nights. Your thoughts on that?
 

Chris24Main

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833
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
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yep - just to add to what @JoKalsbeek said - these levels that go red - they are for diabetics taking meds which lower blood glucose in various ways - your body will maintain whatever level you need, and to some extent, losing that ability to control blood glucose is what defines diabetes...

You can adjust the upper and lower levels in the app so that it looks less ...well... alarming, but really, what you can get most out of a CGM is the real insight into what your body does in reaction to various activities and foods, so that you have a better handle on all of the (somewhat conflicting) advice you might pick up, in the end, what works for you is the only "right" thing...
 

Jaylee

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
18,505
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all,

Just so you know I have not officially been diagnosed with Diabetes. I am into healthy living and started a low carb diet about a 6 months ago. I first started with Carnivore and then after about 3 months started transitioning into Keto. I have lost 10kg of body weight. I am fairly active and do to resistance gym sessions a week and 2 cardio sessions a week. Then we hike and walk the dogs for another 1 to 3 days a week.

I recently got myself the freestyle Libre 2 sensor to track my blood glucose just out of interest to see what my glucose is doing when eating, drinking coffee etc. I am quite interested in insulin and I know there is a link but its not the same thing. Insulin resistance could be completely out of wack and I may not pick it up with the glucose monitor right?
So having seen my results for the past two days using the Libre 2, I have noticed that my glucose drops to about 3 mmol/l (55 mg/dl) while sleeping. See graphs below. I am not 100% sure how to interpret this but from what I read online it seems that I may be suffering from hypoglycemia while sleeping? Any advice from what you can see below and taking into consideration that I am on a low carb high (good) fat diet.

For reference, the limits are set to 3.9 to 6 mmol/l. Thats the green band in the graph.
At around 7:30 I had my first cappuccino and 30 mins later another one.

View attachment 71272

Thanks in advance. If you need any other information please let me know.
Hi,

Looks normal if your not on meds or diagnosed, to me..

I’ll stick my neck out & say the little V dip as you rise out of the 2 am at 3 am, could be a “compression low?”
CLs can happen when the wearer sleeps on the sensor applying pressure giving a false low or lower reading until you turn over.
The quick bounce back with no food is a giveaway.
There is a lot of online graph pictures of non-diabetics posting graphs.
You really shouldn’t be too concerned if you set the upper limit to 8mmol, even drifting towards it is not an issue.
It’s all about the recovery.?
 
Last edited:

Raider007

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Thanks guys. Yes thats good information to have. I just wanted to know what the heck is going on and why it would drop so low while sleeping but it makes sense now.

One thing that would be great is to get an understanding of insulin sensitivity but I guess that's more tricky and a CGM wont really give me a very good picture. An interesting video I watched yesterday where the chap explained that your glucose is kept in check by insulin but as you get older and also depending on your diet and lifestyle, the amount of insulin that is required to keep your blood glucose in check will be high. Up to a certain point where it has reached a point where your insulin has a hard time controlling your blood glucose... but then its almost already too late. See youtube video below:
 

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Raider007

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Thanks guys. Yes thats good information to have. I just wanted to know what the heck is going on and why it would drop so low while sleeping but it makes sense now.

One thing that would be great is to get an understanding of insulin sensitivity but I guess that's more tricky and a CGM wont really give me a very good picture. An interesting video I watched yesterday where the chap explained that your glucose is kept in check by insulin but as you get older and also depending on your diet and lifestyle, the amount of insulin that is required to keep your blood glucose in check will be high. Up to a certain point where it has reached a point where your insulin has a hard time controlling your blood glucose... but then its almost already too late. See youtube video below:
Sorry I could not seem to add the link to youtube so I just included it inside a text file.
 

Chris24Main

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833
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
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it isn't so much that this happens inevitably as we get older, as much as it happens the more often we ask a lot of our insulin production.

Ie, if you are on the carb rollercoaster that results from eating what we are often advised to (lots of starchy foods) - then the very simple version is that your body requires more insulin to have the same effect. This is no different to saying "if you drink too much coffee, you begin to need more caffeine to have the same effect".

This is just one way of describing insulin resistance.
The good news is that if you don't repeatedly swing into very high blood glucose (which can be most easily achieved by not eating the things that trigger this, starches and sugars) - then your ability to control blood glucose is very capable and complex and will carry on being fine. The amount of normally circulating glucose is surprisingly small - about a teaspoon worth.
 
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Raider007

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
it isn't so much that this happens inevitably as we get older, as much as it happens the more often we ask a lot of our insulin production.

Ie, if you are on the carb rollercoaster that results from eating what we are often advised to (lots of starchy foods) - then the very simple version is that your body requires more insulin to have the same effect. This is no different to saying "if you drink too much coffee, you begin to need more caffeine to have the same effect".

This is just one way of describing insulin resistance.
The good news is that if you don't repeatedly swing into very high blood glucose (which can be most easily achieved by not eating the things that trigger this, starches and sugars) - then your ability to control blood glucose is very capable and complex and will carry on being fine. The amount of normally circulating glucose is surprisingly small - about a teaspoon worth.
This is such an interesting topic for me especially with all the information coming out about how insulin resistance is linked to so many illnesses.
Thanks to all for the assistance in understanding this better. Much appreciated!
 

Lamont D

Oracle
Messages
17,606
Type of diabetes
Reactive hypoglycemia
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
Hypoglycaemia in non diabetic people is usually caused by a reaction and intolerance to certain foods.
As do allergies.
Also, most hypoglycaemic episodes happen during the day and it would be unlikely after so long after eating during sleep.

Sleep, a very broad subject.
 

Chris24Main

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Consider this an adjunct - not a reaction (see what I did there...?)

We need to be a little careful in use of terms here - the kind of hypoglycaemic episodes you are talking about @Lamont D are fairly severe.. the term just means lower blood glucose than normal, so any process in the body that demands sudden energy can lead to hypoglycaemia.

Personally, I would say that the feeling of "hangriness" characterises what most non-diabetics experience as hypoglycaemia - the brain demanding more sugary food.. and making you feel a little weak, and snappy and generally low.

allergies and intolerances - sure, as well - I'm just setting the bar a little lower.. (or higher depending on which way round you see it)

but, when you consider that one of the most common sudden demands for lots of energy, is dreaming - then this happening at night is pretty clear, but again, totally normal, and for most people, your liver will cope and keep the balance without you even knowing.
 
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Melgar

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You have had a few members contribute so there is not much more to add. A few days ago I had the results back from a series of blood work I had done. I fasted for 14 hours ( I didn’t go low) however, I noted that the lab range for blood sugars on a 14 hour fast were between 3.3 - 5.5. I was surprised by the lower figure being so low. The point is even if your blood drops to the low 3’s it’s not seen as dangerous, unless you are on blood lowering meds or on insulin.

For me , if I’m going to go low it will be around 3 am. That is the lowest point in 24 hours for me. I used to get very low blood sugars, but these low episodes are happening far less. When I say low I’m talking around the low 2’s.

In general when your body has to deal with falling blood sugars, the liver, corrects the low with glucose. If the liver’s glucose stores have been depleted , this could be down to not enough energy producing foods or lots of exercise, then your liver is less effective at bringing your blood sugars up to a level we feel comfortable with. This can sometimes happen to me due to heavy or lengthy exercise sessions. I would see my blood sugars dropping, but my liver on occasions failed to bring my blood sugars back up. In these instances I will have a small bite of something sweet and up they rise.

If your blood sugars were to keep dropping, then your body starts to develop symptoms. You can wake up having had, what feels like, bad dreams. You feel clammy, sweaty even. Some people develop headaches, become agitated and lose co-ordination. These kind of symptoms usually only happen when you are on insulin or a blood lowering medication. T2’s on diet only and or Metformin don’t as rule suffer with concerning levels of low blood sugars.
 

Lamont D

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Type of diabetes
Reactive hypoglycemia
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I do not have diabetes
Consider this an adjunct - not a reaction (see what I did there...?)

We need to be a little careful in use of terms here - the kind of hypoglycaemic episodes you are talking about @Lamont D are fairly severe.. the term just means lower blood glucose than normal, so any process in the body that demands sudden energy can lead to hypoglycaemia.

Personally, I would say that the feeling of "hangriness" characterises what most non-diabetics experience as hypoglycaemia - the brain demanding more sugary food.. and making you feel a little weak, and snappy and generally low.

allergies and intolerances - sure, as well - I'm just setting the bar a little lower.. (or higher depending on which way round you see it)

but, when you consider that one of the most common sudden demands for lots of energy, is dreaming - then this happening at night is pretty clear, but again, totally normal, and for most people, your liver will cope and keep the balance without you even knowing.
I do agree with your terminology.... Hypo means low.
So yeah, non diabetic people (and some T2s etc) do almost certainly have lower than normal (4mmols) for certain, Hypoglycaemic conditions are usually described as a hypo, below 3.5mmols, but it is as individual as with how the patient demonstrates their symptoms. As individual as what or how much intolerance before one reacts.
Terms are important to clarify what you are saying.
And I would use the terms intolerant and allergic, in the same way as it is the reactions that are different.
Symptoms, for me start with blurred vision and a low to medium headache behind the eyes, others get other symptoms.
If the hangry ness, could have a pill to stop it. What a difference that would make if you come out of keto.
Wanting to eat the fridge, is something I have encountered too many times.
But as usual it is your brain telling lies about what you need to do about the hypo.
For a diabetic, in most cases, it is a glucose fix. For me, something low carb, just to nudge my BG levels back into normal, cos you just don't want the rollercoaster ride of BG levels and the rebound effect.

For some unknown reason and I have asked, as dreams have always been relative to me.
It does seem that sleep, and I mean the state of deep sleep is important to my health and wellbeing.
It is when, my energy levels seem to respond to help so much for what I need. It is very unusual for me to be mentally tired, even through depression and chronic anxiety, if I was in keto or in normal BG levels. I have energy levels that are brilliant throughout the day. I use fasting. This helps with my busy days. And I have for a long time finish any food around 7pm. So even if I do hypo, it is before bed, intentionally.
Sometimes after a really graphic Technicolor story dream. I have been floored by it. But if I check my BG levels, they are always in normal. Go figure.
I try to not make my liver do much, if I can. And food in general, is something that I can live without for some reason, I think I only eat, cos I enjoy it, and nutrition, but not always do.
 
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KennyA

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My BG does that overnight. It will go low and wake me up with sweats and nightmares. Not so bad if it's 6am but at 3am getting back to sleep can be impossible.

My local low carb group has a number of non-diabetic members, some of whom have tried a libre. About two-thirds of them report the same sort of early hours dip, with the adrenaline nightmares, sweats etc.

It looks to me as if this is a natural thing which is only recognised because of the wider availability of CGMs. This research (on non-diabetic BG responses to food) monitored by CGM, reports exactly the same thing. This is usually "dismissed" as pressure on the sensor during sleep, but that does not explain why the recorded lows coincide with sweats, nightmares, waking etc.

 

Melgar

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My BG does that overnight. It will go low and wake me up with sweats and nightmares. Not so bad if it's 6am but at 3am getting back to sleep can be impossible.

My local low carb group has a number of non-diabetic members, some of whom have tried a libre. About two-thirds of them report the same sort of early hours dip, with the adrenaline nightmares, sweats etc.

It looks to me as if this is a natural thing which is only recognised because of the wider availability of CGMs. This research (on non-diabetic BG responses to food) monitored by CGM, reports exactly the same thing. This is usually "dismissed" as pressure on the sensor during sleep, but that does not explain why the recorded lows coincide with sweats, nightmares, waking etc.

I totally agree @KennyA . I would wake up in the middle of the night, soaked through with sweat, heart pounding. In a state which felt like a panic attack. I had these frequently. I would usually make myself a tea and a bite to eat to simply take my mind off the bad dreams. It wasn’t until I was given some early Libre 1‘s I found out they were not panic attacks at all, but very low sugar events.
 

Jaylee

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My BG does that overnight. It will go low and wake me up with sweats and nightmares.
Had it as a kid long before CGMs & alarms. Trigger dreams I called them.

I don’t get the dreams, unless I miss the alarm? Weird David Cronenberg stuff…
 

KennyA

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Had it as a kid long before CGMs & alarms. Trigger dreams I called them.

I don’t get the dreams, unless I miss the alarm? Weird David Cronenberg stuff…
I've had them about ten years, long before I tried a Libre. Bit of a shock to find that they correlate with the 4am Libre low.

Thing is, for me at least they aren't related to high BG. And that would fit with non-diabetic people getting them. Which makes me ask if these are perfectly natural, but if they are why didn't I get them before 2014?
 

Lamont D

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I do not have diabetes
I think that the dreams the vivid ones that you can recall are entirely natual.
They are not supernatural cos at times, mainly high temperatures, your brain makes you sweat, but it is intriguing if you do get a low or not, as I do.
An adrenalin rush is very similar or even cortisol it is a natural extension of dealing with the circumstances.
I have said often, that I found that when we eat, rather than calling it a first phase insulin response. It is a hormonal response. And most metabolic conditions are an imbalance in hormones somewhere.
The boffins are still trying to work it all out.
There is still so much we don't know.

I have had some weird recurring dreams.
The weirder ones in my blogs page, grrr!
But I noticed when my anxiety was really awful, I had recurring dreams of inadequacy in my old job. Which I retired from nearly twenty years ago now. But still get them.
 

MrsA2

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6,557
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I did read online that these low glucose levels at night could interfere with your sleep. I do struggle to get decent sleep most nights. Your thoughts on that
As you are not diabetic, I'd suggest eating more before sleep. You can experiment whether that's a bigger evening meal or soemthing before bed. See which works for you, the lows aren't aren't problem on their own but if you aren't sleeping well, that needs addressing.
I have a friend who swears by a banana before bed, something to do with the magnesium or was it potassium?