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Is there a specific low blood sugar level?

L

Lilolil4kids_

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi
Just wondering what people's 'low' level is?
The last 3 times I've had symptoms of low BS I've checked my readings and they have been 5.2, 5.4 & 5.7.
I thought this was a normal level really.
My symptoms are sweating, really bad shakes and feeling tired.
Thanks
 
Hi @Lilolil4kids_ :)

I treat anything under 4 as a low, but I remember that when I was diagnosed my consultant said non-diabetic people could go down to 3.5.

Levels in the 5s aren't low - they're good, normal levels :)

However, if you've been running higher than that, they might feel low to you as your body gets used to more normal levels. These are called false hypos.
 
In terms of how what BG our body needs to function, this is 4.0 and a hypo is any BG lower than that.
However, our bodies get used to different levels: if our BG is usually 10, then we may experience a hypos symptoms with a BG of 5.5; or of we are used to a BG of 4.5, we may not experience the symptoms until 2.5.
The good news is that our bodies are brilliant at re-learming - once you are used to being around 5.5, you should no longer experience these symptoms at these levels.
 
It sounds to me like you are experiencing what is known as false hypos. This is when your body is used to running at high levels, so when levels drop it thinks you are too low and starts giving you warning signs. This should disappear fairly quickly. Under 4 is normally regarded as low.
 
Lilolil4kids_ said:
Hi
Just wondering what people's 'low' level is?
The last 3 times I've had symptoms of low BS I've checked my readings and they have been 5.2, 5.4 & 5.7.
I thought this was a normal level really.
My symptoms are sweating, really bad shakes and feeling tired.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum @Lilolil4kids_. Anywhere in the 5's is very good. It appears that you are experiencing hypoglycemia. This could be due to your body being above that level for some time and has grown accustomed. Falling to a lower level could be triggering these symptoms. I have been through this myself. Usually, anything below 4.3 is a hypo position. Be careful when you control your bgl's not to experience too many hypos, as you can develop a tolerance and not display symptoms until your glucose levels fall dangerously. Have your gp review your meds and diet to avoid further mishap.
 
Aw makes sense thanks so much for all your answers.
So I wouldn't need to 'treat' it as such?
My hands were shaking so much I could not test my blood someone had to do it for me! Was pretty scary.
X
 
Lilolil4kids_ said:
Aw makes sense thanks so much for all your answers.
So I wouldn't need to 'treat' it as such?
My hands were shaking so much I could not test my blood someone had to do it for me! Was pretty scary.
X
Click to expand...

It can be scary, but now you know there is no need to worry about it (providing you test at the time) and absolutely no need to treat it unless under 4.
 
I had a day or so of those tantrums - I got lost walking to the bed in the dark which was rather novel, but during the day I found that taking a drink - sometimes just water did the trick, if I could sit down and let them pass, but if I had things to do a few grapes sorted it out quickly - just 3 or 4 and a slight pause.
They can be quite frightening, but as type 2 - and I don't take medication now, once things start to settle down towards normal I've not had any real bother. I did find that I felt really tired mid afternoons, but I altered my meals to be further apart and that seemed to make a difference.
 
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