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Hypo?

Ziggy2017

Well-Known Member
Messages
729
Location
Northern Ireland
Type of diabetes
Type 3
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Diabetes and injections
Hi everyone I just woke up with double vision,light headedness and very bad shaking it felt like a very bad hypo but I checked my BG and my meter says 4.6. Any advice appreciated thank you
 
Do you normally keep your blood sugar a lot higher? If you've been running with high blood sugars you can get "false hypos" where you feel hypo when you're technically not. Are you on insulin or glucose lowering meds?
 
Hmm, did you double check the meter reading? Any sugar on your hands could mean you're a lot less than 4.6.... My (limited) understanding is that false hypos happen when you've been consistently running high (eg pre diagnosis), so one 11.2 might not do it but if you're running permanently over 10 then it might be a false hypo.
 
It may be due to meter inaccuracy. So the meter says 4.6 but you may be lower due to measurement error. I would eat something in this situation. In fact, I often eat in the 5's and 6's if I suspect my blood sugar is on its way down.
 
@EllieM yes I rechecked and my meter said I was 4.8 so I’m not sure what’s going on thanks for the advice
 
@catinahat hmm maybe it’s never happened to me before usally when I have night time hypos I’ll dream about eating a lot of sweets and wake up with a sweet taste in my mouth thanks for the info
 
Hi @Ziggy2017 ,

Home Meters are not always accurate. The ones I know read aprox 15% higher than the calibrated pro meters used by HCPs?

So, your "4.6" may have been as low as 3.9? (Excuse my maff.)
The blood test is also a sort of "snapshot" in time too? Due to blood flow in the body & metabolism, the actual figure could be lower? Or even hold where it is??
You may have also experienced a liver dump either on waking or earlier. Which may have slowed the drop a bit.. (Hence a hold at "4.8." On retest. )

Did you treat your low?
 
Ziggy2017 said:
@phdiabetic I rechecked and meter said 4.8 but maybe I’ll keep a Ribena or something next to the bed tonight thanks for the advice
Click to expand...

It's always a good idea to keep some sugary food or drink next to your bed. There are too many people stumbling around their houses looking for sweets when they wake up low. Having something in your bedroom means you can access it easily and quickly.
 
As the weather has been rather hot recently maybe try for more hydration - dehydration slows things down a lot, including thinking and reaction time.
It might well reduce the effects of a hypo - it should certainly help the liver to cope.
I used to do a lot of outdoor activities and dehydration can be nasty even for those without diabetes.
 
@Resurgam tbh I never even think of what I’m drinking I drink when I’m thristy and that’s it really but I’ll try to drink more. Thank you
 
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