• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

I'm totally confused! :{<

Hypo? The vision gets blurry and I have difficulty in concentrating - like I've been reading and studying all night.
I have no idea what my levels were when they occurred. But now you've mentioned it, I'll see if I can calculate them from my records.
 
Hi And Breathe,
Aha!
Checked my data. Best "guesstimate" is not far below 5 mmol.
I also found a note with a reading of 5.2 mmol "starting to feel lethargic."
OK in checking I found where I'd checked my BG at 5.6 mmol then had a glucose squirt a few minutes later that took it up to 5.8.
Thanks, I think I've found my safe lower limit.
I still have no idea why, suddenly, I'm getting the glucose squirts (is there a medical term for them?) instead of going Hypo.
Thanks
 
Lancelot J said:
Hi And Breathe,
Aha!
Checked my data. Best "guesstimate" is not far below 5 mmol.
I also found a note with a reading of 5.2 mmol "starting to feel lethargic."
OK in checking I found where I'd checked my BG at 5.6 mmol then had a glucose squirt a few minutes later that took it up to 5.8.
Thanks, I think I've found my safe lower limit.
I still have no idea why, suddenly, I'm getting the glucose squirts (is there a medical term for them?) instead of going Hypo.
Thanks
Click to expand...
5.2 is not hypo by any definition I have ever seen. Most definitions of hypo, kick in at 4.0, for T1s. For others, including T2s who do not take heavy duty, potentially hypo inducing medication, the benchmark is lower and less clear cut. Most wisdom suggests that for the latter category, into the 2s certainly deserves attention.

In a persona with a functioning pancreas and half way decent liver, there is a protective process which keeps the blood glucose levels on a semi-even keel and prevents dangerous hypos. If you read about glucagon and "liver dump" you will learn more about it.

I interpret the liver activity as helpful and healthy, if I get too hungry, or for some reason I have to go without food for longer than expected. For me, a liver dump doesn't occur until well into the 3s, but I run lower than many, naturally, it seems.

I also feel absolutely fine down into the low 3s, although, again, this is less usually low.
 
Lancelot J said:
I

I get the low carb-low BG connection.

I used to go Hypo, now I don't. I get measurable squirts of glucose into my system.
My BG used to fade consistently and predictably at 1 mmol per hour. That's now a little faster and not consistent.

The snacks? I have no cues 'when' to snack so I'll forget to do it. Then remember and eat only to find out it's just before mealtime.
I guess it's the fact I've been expecting the worse and what seem like improvement happen.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you are confused because your doctor said your diabetes would get worse, but yours has improved. However, there's no need to be confused by this as this is quite common if type 2 diabetics reduce carb intake and lose some weight.

As for your hypos, they were probably false hypos, which is where you get hypo like symptoms when your blood sugar drops from a high level to a more normal level. Since your blood sugar no longer gets as high, no more false hypos.

Anyway, sounds like the low carb diet (or at least lower carb than before) has vastly improved your body's ability to regulate your blood glucose levels.

Lower carb also results in loss of carb cravings and often reduces hunger, which may be what's going on with you. Personally, I wouldn't worry about that - just eat when you feel like it. No need to force yourself to eat when you're not hungry.

One thing to keep in mind when self testing is that the accuracy is likely not good enough to read much into a 0.2 mmol/L change. The meters only have to be better than +/- 15%, although some may be a little better.
 
AndBreathe said:
5.2 is not hypo by any definition I have ever seen. Most definitions of hypo, kick in at 4.0, for T1s. For others, including T2s who do not take heavy duty, potentially hypo inducing medication, the benchmark is lower and less clear cut. Most wisdom suggests that for the latter category, into the 2s certainly deserves attention.

In a persona with a functioning pancreas and half way decent liver, there is a protective process which keeps the blood glucose levels on a semi-even keel and prevents dangerous hypos. If you read about glucagon and "liver dump" you will learn more about it.

I interpret the liver activity as helpful and healthy, if I get too hungry, or for some reason I have to go without food for longer than expected. For me, a liver dump doesn't occur until well into the 3s, but I run lower than many, naturally, it seems.

I also feel absolutely fine down into the low 3s, although, again, this is less usually low.
Click to expand...


That's where I find myself. I wasn't getting them, now I am. I've had a liver test and that was fine.
I'm starting to think it may be the Pancreas as my BG increases overnight.

I've just done a check with Dr Google. Imflamation of the Pancreas occurs with Dengue. They were technical articles and it will take some time to slog through them.

I'm wondering if the Dengue hasn't done something to my Pancreas that time, diet, exercise and weight loss may be repairing hence the "unusual" activity. It's the only explanation I can think of that explains what's happening.

I'll try to get an idea of the gist of the articles then go and see the Endocronologist.
Thanx for your input. You've been a great help
 
Lancelot J said:
That's where I find myself. I wasn't getting them, now I am. I've had a liver test and that was fine.
I'm starting to think it may be the Pancreas as my BG increases overnight.

I've just done a check with Dr Google. Imflamation of the Pancreas occurs with Dengue. They were technical articles and it will take some time to slog through them.

I'm wondering if the Dengue hasn't done something to my Pancreas that time, diet, exercise and weight loss may be repairing hence the "unusual" activity. It's the only explanation I can think of that explains what's happening.

I'll try to get an idea of the gist of the articles then go and see the Endocronologist.
Thanx for your input. You've been a great help
Click to expand...
Wait, earlier you said "I used to go Hypo, now I don't." Now you say "I wasn't getting them, now I am." Am I missing something?
 
Lancelot J said:
That's where I find myself. I wasn't getting them, now I am. I've had a liver test and that was fine.
I'm starting to think it may be the Pancreas as my BG increases overnight.

I've just done a check with Dr Google. Imflamation of the Pancreas occurs with Dengue. They were technical articles and it will take some time to slog through them.

I'm wondering if the Dengue hasn't done something to my Pancreas that time, diet, exercise and weight loss may be repairing hence the "unusual" activity. It's the only explanation I can think of that explains what's happening.

I'll try to get an idea of the gist of the articles then go and see the Endocronologist.
Thanx for your input. You've been a great help
Click to expand...

You seem pretty determined that there's something wrong. Reading what you have told me, I'd say your condition (your body's ability to cope with carbs) is improving, not degrading, but your mindset isn't seeing the positives.

When reducing blood scores, feeling like one may be a touch hypo is quite usual as our bodies change, but over time it passes. I say again; 5.2 is not hypo on any scale I have seen.
 
Sorry, it's late.
I'd go Hypo if I didn't eat so I'd keep myself 'topped up', now I can't even induce one - I get glucose squirts into my blood that raise my BG. I wasn't getting them, now I am.
The how's and whys of it are beyond me
 
Lancelot J said:
Sorry, it's late.
I'd go Hypo if I didn't eat so I'd keep myself 'topped up', now I can't even induce one - I get glucose squirts into my blood that raise my BG. I wasn't getting them, now I am.
The how's and whys of it are beyond me
Click to expand...

THAT PROCESS IS HEALTHY
 
You really do have to read up on glucagon and liver dump. That pretty much explains it all.

"Glucose squirts" are healthy.
 
I am in agreement with AndBreathe. A level of 5.2 is certainly not hypo. Even our dearly beloved NHS allows us to be between 4 and 7 fasting and pre-meals. What you may be experiencing is a false hypo, whereby your body thinks you are too low. Not because you are, but because you are lower than you have been for a long period past. It takes a while for our bodies to get used to lower levels. If you no longer experience these false hypos, your body is now used to your lower levels. This is natural and normal and good!
 
AndBreathe said:
You seem pretty determined that there's something wrong. Reading what you have told me, I'd say your condition (your body's ability to cope with carbs) is improving, not degrading, but your mindset isn't seeing the positives.

When reducing blood scores, feeling like one may be a touch hypo is quite usual as our bodies change, but over time it passes. I say again; 5.2 is not hypo on any scale I have seen.
Click to expand...

You're right! I hadn't considered it as a positive.
As for Hypo or not, I know the eyes went wonky and the concentration became more difficult and when I ate, it fixed itself.
 
Ah
Bluetit1802 said:
I am in agreement with AndBreathe. A level of 5.2 is certainly not hypo. Even our dearly beloved NHS allows us to be between 4 and 7 fasting and pre-meals. What you may be experiencing is a false hypo, whereby your body thinks you are too low. Not because you are, but because you are lower than you have been for a long period past. It takes a while for our bodies to get used to lower levels. If you no longer experience these false hypos, your body is now used to your lower levels. This is natural and normal and good!
Click to expand...

Thanks
I've never even heard of false hypos.
I'll consult Dr Google and see what I can find.
An 'adjustment' in my body makes sense (at least at the intuitive level).
 
The confusion has gone!
I took in your tips and suggestions and did some more guided research. Great results!
(Got to say, I think "false hypo" is a poor name - they were pretty real to me!)
What I'm experiencing is simply a natural reaction to my new low-carb diet. My body is adjusting!
Nothing to worry about.
Now I know that and know I'm not going to suddenly go woozy (especially when driving) I can work on getting my BG even lower!
I'll revise my diet and eating patterns after Chinese New Year (Thursday) .
Thanks for your help and challenges!
Cheers.
 
Thanks Sanguine. If I was more computer literate I'd stick smiley faces on the message.
 
Back
Top