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Hi,

J

jellybean05

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi,
I was diagnosed as Type 2 18 months ago. Sugar on a glucometer were 23+ and HbA1C were nearly 10. Medication was started as 1 x metformin twice a day and a dose of simvastatin. Grdually increased things and now been on 2 x metformin twice a day, simvastatin and a glicazide in the morning. I've been doing this now for 6 weeks and apart from continuing problems with upset stomachs I have had no issues. However, in the last 3 days I have had a hypo on 3 occasions with sugars just under 4 on the meter. I have had these approx 3 hrs after a breakfast of non sugary cereal and tea. Any ideas why this has suddenly started to happen. Last HbA1c was 6.9 and my last meter reading was 16.3 (about 2 weeks ago - I have been told there is no need to test regularly.
Thanks for any advice
 
When you say you had a hypo, I wonder what you actually mean. Did you become ill, unable to function? Or did you simply feel ready for lunch and note that your blood glucose was just under 4. Just under 4 is not generally considered to be a hypo, it is within the normal range, but may feel low for you, because your body is used to rather high readings. However, if you are on insulin, or insulin stimulating drugs (I think Gliazide is one of these), you are supposed to be higher to drive, this is so that there is a "buffer" if your levels begin to drop.
You say you had a breakfast of non-sugary cereal. Do you mean you had something like Weetabix, rather than Sugar Puffs (or similar)? Any cereal will break down into sugars in your body, though the likes of Weetabix may take a little longer to break down than the sugar coated ones or ones with dried fruit in them.
You have probably been getting down to just under 4, because your medications are coping effectively with the amount of sugars you have ingested (and released from your liver) at this time of day. Perhaps you should think about how much sugars and carbohydrates and starches you are having at other meals, a reading of 16.3 is much, much higher than is advisable.
if you want to take control of your health and sugar levels, testing regularly, before and after meals, to see what effect different food stuffs have, is absolutely essential. Many on this forum have found that, through testing and coming to understand their response to foods, they have been able to reduce and even totally give up diabetic medications. Do have a good look round the forum and associated site, there is lots of information there and lots of people who will answer your questions.
Sally
 
Hi @jellybean05

And welcome to the forum!

Come and join the fun.

I'm afraid I can't comment on anything medication-wise except to comment that many people have problems with metformin causing upset tums, and there is a slow release version available which is gentler on the guts. Might be worth discussing that with your doctor.

And there are a few people on here who find that reducing meds can reduce their hypo frequency, but again, that is something you would need to discuss with your doc.

But anyway, have a good rummage on the Search function, you might find something really relevant to you situation.
 
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