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

Is 3.9 before dinner too low?

Debandez

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,043
Location
Lancashire
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I've just stated Intermittent fasting this week. I don't eat after my dinner at around 6pm until lunch time following day and for the first time my readings have moved into the 3's!!! I'm delighted. But I've just tested before tonight's dinner and my reading was 3.9. Is this ok? Just not used to seeing figures this low so need reassurance that all is well. Thank you in advance for all your help.
 
For me, I wouldn't want go that low. I've been a couple of times and have felt a bit odd, light headed and such. I've been IF recently, dropping lunch, and it's reflected in my BG's, so I'm relaxing the IF a bit this week.
How did you feel before you saw the number? The number could change your perception. of how you feel... if that makes sense.
 

I got down to 3.9 the first time I tried fasting (ate 600 cals / 14g carbs) in morning then nothing for rest of day.

To make sure I wouldn't run out of life while I was sleeping, I lifted some kettlebells for 30 seconds and my bg was bumped up to 4.6 or something, can't remember. I took it as encouragement that my metabolism remembered how to work and regulate things properly. 3.9 seems to be a fairly common low point. I'm not on medication I should add. I guess if someone is taking insulin or similar medication then they'll need to be more careful as things get low.
 
Thanks for this. I declined meds when offered by my DN and asked if I could try diet and exercise first. So no meds.
 
I felt fine. Got a bit if a shock seeing in below 4! Wasnt sure if i should be happy or worried!!! No adverse feelings at all. I've had a pork steak and plenty of veg dinner with a glass of red (challenging day with the father in law!) And it's up to 5.7 now.
 
Hi @Debandez well done on your bgs at 3.9 on IF. I’m sure that’s on the low end of normal but is still normal especially if diet controlled as you are. I tended to go low later in afternoon just before tea and I’d feel very hungry at same time. Soon put right with a biggish meal! I did one meal a day for a month and never went below 3.8 - think you’ll self regulate. As I lost weight and got lower bgs overall I did find it harder to do IF as got hungrier. Now eating three small meals a day as my bmi is 21 and my bgs are much more stable mainly in mid 4s to 5 so as you move from IF when happy with results it will settle - well it did in my case!
 
Sounds great to me.. well done.. that's what you are aiming for.
 
Hi @Debandez

If you’re not on medication I don’t think it’s too low. I quite regularly get readings in the high 3s before dinner (3.8 tonight) - and occasionally before lunch - when intermittent fasting. Lowest is 3.6.

I feel fine at those levels - usually hungry, but no other symptoms so am just pleased to see them!
 
Bear in mind our meters are not 100% accurate.
A reading of 3.9 could really be in the 4s.
 
That's brilliant news. I was worried for a while but feel better from reading people's replies. Thank you so much.
 
Fantastic thanks so much.
 
Hate to rain on your parade but did you recheck it? I think the advice for an unusual reading, low aswell as high is to recheck it. I’ve never been lucky enough to get into the 3s, my lowest ever reading is 4.4!
 
I'm sometimes down to that before a meal and normally am feeling very hungry at that stage but them I'm just about to eat so happy with that. Well done.
 
Rachox said:
Hate to rain on your parade but did you recheck it? I think the advice for an unusual reading, low aswell as high is to recheck it. I’ve never been lucky enough to get into the 3s, my lowest ever reading is 4.4!
Click to expand...
Thanks rachox. I didn't think to recheck but it's gone up since so I'm not flapping now!!! Thanks for your reply.
Rachox said:
Hate to rain on your parade but did you recheck it? I think the advice for an unusual reading, low aswell as high is to recheck it. I’ve never been lucky enough to get into the 3s, my lowest ever reading is 4.4!
Click to expand...
 
Debandez said:
Ahhh right! Thank you
Click to expand...

Definitely good advice to re-check if you have a notable reading!

I checked my one-and-only observed 3.9 for that reason, and got exactly the same 3 times in a row. There is also of course the consideration that even if the repeat tests give the same result, they may all be a bit above or below "truth", depending on your meter.
 

Hi Deb - I'm often in the 3s. My body runs quite low these days.

Provided you aren't taking any drugs driving your blood numbers down and you felt fine, I'd say you were fine.

I recall the first time I saw a number that beginning with a 3 I was a bit freaked out, but I soon got used to it.

Good luck with it all. It certainly sounds like you're getting the hang of things.
 
Nothing wrong with a late 3's for a non-insulin dependent Type 2 on no other oral medications in my view. I am sure that the body gets used to lower numbers. When I first got into 4's via static cycling I felt woozy, but now nothing of the sort and I regularly get 3's. If I wake in the 3's I do nothing as a liver dump soon up's me by circa 0.5 mmol (this is "normal" behaviour). When you eat a balanced meal your blood sugar should go up circa 1 to 2 mmol.

You might want to test your body when you are this low in a safe environment; maybe if you have a partner say what you are doing and signs of a hypo, have a couple of jelly beans to hand and test at 30 minute intervals to see if you get a liver dump.
 

I've realised how misleading my post may have been when I said 3.9 seems to be a common low point. I should have stated very clearly "for non-diabetics!".

Like you I was concerned when I saw 3.9, so looked up what "normal" (non-diabetic people) get, and was reassured that it's common. A lot of people say that someone with T2 should aim to mimic the blood glucose patterns of a non-diabetic, so I reckon if you can find a way of life / way of eating which regularly gets your fasting numbers that low, then you are doing very well, keep it up!

As for "normal" for someone with T2, well there is a thread somewhere on this forum where people compare morning numbers, and 3.9 is far from normal there. Personally if I get less than 5 I feel I've done well. And I find it takes effort. I like to think that I could get a 3.9 again if I did exactly the same thing that achieved it last time, but I don't think that's a way of eating / way of life I'd be happy with - I don't think it would let my brain function well enough to do my job!
 

I'm feeling great after all the reassurance. I know that it's a good sign not bad thankfully. Thank you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…