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Hypo 2 days running

Nanny_B

Well-Known Member
Messages
56
Type of diabetes
Type 2
So yesterday and today at around the same time of 4pm my blood sugars have dropped to 4.1 and today 4:8. I've not been doing anything differently. I eat at lunchtime (low carb) and then normally eat again at about 7pm. I take 4 Metformin a day and a statin. Just wondered if anyone else has had this as I'm at a loss to understand why. I've been doing really well lately but these are leaving me feeling absolutely shattered.
I was diagnosed in January of this year. My abh1c have reduced from 92 to 47 and I normally have levels of anywhere between mid 5's and mid 7's daily.
Many thanks for any advice.
 
Nanny_B said:
So yesterday and today at around the same time of 4pm my blood sugars have dropped to 4.1 and today 4:8.
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Neither 4.1 nor 4.8 is hypo. A hypo is under 4 and these levels are over 4 and not hypo.
 
Unfortunately, our BG levels are affected by many things: not just food and medicine.
You may have got a bit lower because it's been warmer (some bodies use less insulin when they are hot) or because you have been exercising more than usual or maybe because you are stressed (sometimes stress raises your BG and sometimes it lowers it).
4.1 and 4.8 are lower than you are used to. However, I believe a hypo is under 4.0. That is not to say, you will not feel some of the symptoms of a hypo at a higher level. This may be because your body is used to being higher.

If this happens again, you may want to eat a jelly baby or something small and sweet to raise your BG a little to something you are used to.
This may sound like a good excuse for a treat like chocolate. However, the fat in chocolate delays the affect of the sugar so will take longer to impact your BG.
 
I would say that your diet is working as it should and you should be looking to get into the 4's. Maybe discuss with your DN or doc reducing the Metformin if you feel iffy at those levels. Otherwise I'd say keep it up and you'll get used to being lower the more time you spend there. I would also be asking them why they think you should be taking a statin.
 
Thanks so much guys, my symptoms were shaking, nausea, sweating and I felt really sick and incredibly fatigued. I ate a chocolate bar and am now feeling better. I'm definitely going to speak to the Dr about the statins. She was so insistent though and said been though my cholesterol is lower 3:8 that there is no way she's taking me off them!!
 
The 4's and 5's are where I aim to be most of the time as these are normal non diabetic numbers and not hypos. If you are starting to see these numbers then you are doing something right and you need to let your body become accustomed to normal levels. Eating a chocolate bar is defeating your hard work. Maybe try a few nuts or some cheese. As for the statins, you are an adult and the decision of whether to take them or not is yours and yours alone. Your doctor is there to guide you, not control you.
 
Nanny_B said:
, my symptoms were shaking, nausea, sweating and I felt really sick and incredibly fatigued.
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This is sounds like a false hypo .. raising your sugar level will make you feel better .. but your better to ride out your false hypo and keep your sugar levels in the better range .. below 4 will need attention
 

Nanny - As a T2, only taking Metformin, it is very unlikely you would ever have a medically worrying hypo. Where your numbers have been running higher for some time, you can experience hypo-like symptoms when your blood numbers are a bit higher, just because your body it outside it's own comfort zone.

If you are fortunate, and your body can heal from it's time with higher numbers, you may see the 4s often, and some of us often see the 3s, without any issue.

It is extremely unusual for me to have a full 24 hour cycle without some time under 4. That's just how I am, now that my diet and way of living is under control.

When I get very low (I won't bore you with a load of numbers), it usually happens when it's getting close-ish to a mealtime. If my meal is about to be served, I just wait for that. If my meal is some time away I would be inclined to just have a cup of tea or something. I never have chocolate or sugar. All I want is something just to bring my numbers up a nudge to make the wait for my meal a bit more comfortable.

Everyone approaches these things differently, but the more carb you eat when low, the higher you are likely to go then can spend the next few hours with your blood numbers bouncing around.

For T1s and T2s taking insulin or heftier meds, they have to do things differently.

JUst keep testing and learn a bit more about what happens when. If you're getting lots of lows, then it could become sensible to review your meds down a bit, but clearly that's something to be done in conjunction with your medical team.
 
Thank you so very much everyone for taking the time to reply, it's very much appreciated. I must admit I do start to panic a little when I feel so bad and I have been reaching for sugar! I will now try a good old cup of tea from now on though! Thanks again x
 

Just take it steady, Granny. I have milk in my tea, which gives me a very small amount of curbs and does the trick for me. If you are feeling very off and want to have something sweet, then try to keep the portion size very small, else it could be a bit like taking a sledgehammer to a nut.

If you feel you are unsafe, then please do make sure you discuss it with your medical team.
 

Congratulations on returning to normal glucose level. You may find spoonful or two of virgin coconut oil to be helpful in calming our insulin resistant brain...
 
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