Type 1.5 Is being '5 to drive' only applicable to people on insulin?

[Nidge247]

I was asked this question today, as I have maintained this rule since diagnosis, although when being first told about it, I was taking 36 units daily to get my A1c of 103 down to a more manageable level.

Using LCHF I find my D easy to control, and if not driving am happy to let my BGs drop into the 4's, but always keep it in the 5-6 range when driving. I've been insulin-free since mid-2015 thanks to this lifestyle, but a work colleague enquired today why I was still testing before hitting the roads.

So, I've popped on here this evening to enquire if the rule applies to folk with D who are NOT on insulin? I've not had a hypo since changing to LCHF and stopping insulin, though keep good awareness by using the '5' rule which makes me very aware if I drop below 4.5

All thoughts welcomed! My A1c is currently 45.

 

[britishpub]

Yes

Otherwise there would be no cars on the road.

 

[urbanracer]

I was asked this question today, as I have maintained this rule since diagnosis, although when being first told about it, I was taking 36 units daily to get my A1c of 103 down to a more manageable level.

Using LCHF I find my D easy to control, and if not driving am happy to let my BGs drop into the 4's, but always keep it in the 5-6 range when driving. I've been insulin-free since mid-2015 thanks to this lifestyle, but a work colleague enquired today why I was still testing before hitting the roads.

So, I've popped on here this evening to enquire if the rule applies to folk with D who are NOT on insulin? I've not had a hypo since changing to LCHF and stopping insulin, though keep good awareness by using the '5' rule which makes me very aware if I drop below 4.5

All thoughts welcomed! My A1c is currently 45.

Not just insulin, it also applies to people who use some other kinds of medications such as sulphonylureas, these are also capable of producing hypoglyceamic reactions.

If you control your diabetes by diet alone, then you don't need to worry about the 5 to drive guideline.

 

[EllieM]

My understanding is that the rule's there, not because it's unsafe to drive at 4, but because if you're bs is less than 5 there's too little lee way before it goes down below 4. If you're not on anything which induces hypos then you're not going to go below 4 anyway, so there's no need for the precaution...