SILVERKIRSTY
Member
hi low can you go be for you call the dr new to insulin was at 3.9 at 5 pm was this a hipo
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how low
- Thread starter SILVERKIRSTY
- Start Date
mo1905
BANNED
Lower than 3.5 you need some quick acting carbs. 3.9 is on the low side but not really any need to call a doc unless you felt really terrible ? It's too low to drive though. You need to look at why you were 3.9 and try to ensure you don't get that low regularly.
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picklebean
Well-Known Member
Actually my specialist nurse said you should treat anything below 4.0 as a hypo. I told her some members of the forum only treat once it gets down to 3.5 and she flipped out and insisted I treat anything below 4. 
If you're new to insulin then it might take a while to get used to it and how your body reacts but you shouldn't ever need to call a doctor just for treating a hypo. If it's happening a lot though, speaking to your doctor or nurse about adjusting your insulin levels is probably a good idea.
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EDIT: When I say you shouldn't ever need to call a doctor, I mean you shouldn't need to call one just if you're having a normal hypo. If you're unable to treat it yourself or if you've tried to raise it and it won't come up, by all means, contact your doctor / seek medical help... I didn't mean you shouldn't EVER call a doctor, just not if it's an average everyday kind of hypo...
If you're new to insulin then it might take a while to get used to it and how your body reacts but you shouldn't ever need to call a doctor just for treating a hypo. If it's happening a lot though, speaking to your doctor or nurse about adjusting your insulin levels is probably a good idea.
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EDIT: When I say you shouldn't ever need to call a doctor, I mean you shouldn't need to call one just if you're having a normal hypo. If you're unable to treat it yourself or if you've tried to raise it and it won't come up, by all means, contact your doctor / seek medical help... I didn't mean you shouldn't EVER call a doctor, just not if it's an average everyday kind of hypo...
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kerrygrant26
Well-Known Member
- Messages
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- Insulin
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- Brown rice, all the negative attention diabetics get from the media
Like picklebean I was also told that anything below 4.0 is a hypo. As my diabetes clinic says - 4.0 is the floor 
mo1905
BANNED
Lower than 4 still needs action but not with rapid acting carbs ( unless dropping quickly ). 3.5 is the level taught by DAFNE. Between 3.5 and 4, just have a small carb snack. These are the guidelines, up to the individual to follow them. Some call below 4 a hypo but I'm talking about how you treat it. For many, a reading of 3.5-4.0 is a daily occurance.
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ElyDave
Well-Known Member
Yesterday was one of those days for me, running 4-5 all day, but steady there until I dropped to 3.7. No problem at all, just have a snack and I was happily at 6.3 again.
Medically, 3.5 is a hypo as pointed out, but most DSNs would like you to be higher than that. DAFNE would like you to be >5.5 all the time. I was given targets of 4-6 in the morning and 4-8 rest of the time, >5 for driving. I like to keep in the bottom half of my range i.e. 4.5-6 as far as I can, but that's a personal preference as I'm not yet 40 and want to avoid complications over the next 30 years.
One thing to consider when getting down to 3.5-4 regularly is whether you feel it or not. If you routinely run down there it can reduce hypo awareness so that when you do go <3.5 you may not feel it, which could become dangerous.
Medically, 3.5 is a hypo as pointed out, but most DSNs would like you to be higher than that. DAFNE would like you to be >5.5 all the time. I was given targets of 4-6 in the morning and 4-8 rest of the time, >5 for driving. I like to keep in the bottom half of my range i.e. 4.5-6 as far as I can, but that's a personal preference as I'm not yet 40 and want to avoid complications over the next 30 years.
One thing to consider when getting down to 3.5-4 regularly is whether you feel it or not. If you routinely run down there it can reduce hypo awareness so that when you do go <3.5 you may not feel it, which could become dangerous.
