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experiencing a false hypo ?

E

eggie

Member
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16
hi all

New to the forum diagnosed recently as type 2 taking Metformin XR but as side effects, keeping with it and seeing if it wears off if not then change meds.

recently i have expereinced 2 false hypo's usually blood sugar stays around 9 - 10 and for no apparent reason my sugar level has dropped down to 4.4. the symptoms i got were light headiness, little hazy vision and shakes so thought something not right so tested and 4.4, so remebered what my bro used to when his sugar level use to drop warm a little milk and mix a few teaspoons of sugar in it and drink it and wait 15 mins and re check i did that and my level went back up to 6.7.

anyone explain why i expereinced them as it didnt drop right down in the low 4's 0r 3 to go true hypo. as metformin you shouldnt go hypo.
i read somewhere on the net when your body is used to high levels of sugar and when you have a sudden drop the body thinks it a hypo but it a not a true hypo so the name false hypo.

Thanks
Eggie
 
Hi eggie.
Welcome to the forum.

A false Hypo is when your body has been running high blood sugar levels for some time and then your levels drop down, this can give the symptoms of a hypo even though your Bg readings can be much higher, say in the 6 - 7 range or even above.

What you experienced is hypo symptoms.

Anybody, even a non diabetic can experience a hypo. The 'floor' for Hypoglycaemia, a hypo is considered to be 4 mmol/l. So when you are approaching that number your body gives you a warning that you need to do something about it. It is termed hypo awareness.

Take a quick acting sugary drink such as Lucozade, Coke or Orange Juice etc. If it was a hypo then heating milk etc takes too much time. Then after about 15 minutes when your level is back up to a 'normal' levl you have a small carby snack to stabilise your Bg levels. That is what happened to you, not a false hypo.

It may be that you hadn't eaten perhaps, or just that your Bg level dropped for some other reason ?

I quite often get these symptoms when my Bg level is around 4.5 which allows me time to do something about it.
 
hi cugila

Thanks for the useful info remember that for the future and carry some sort or candy as you stated.

thanks
Eggie
 
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