Knowledge of Hypo Levels

[johnoo]

3 months ago I changed my diet & I think I now have better BS control, I'm waiting for results of blood test to verify this.
But, before I started this new phase when my BS dropped to 4.8 levels I knew I was heading for a Hypo, going sweaty etc.
But now with far better BS control, average BS approx 6.5, I can go to a BS of 4.2 two hours after a meal & I feel fine with no signs of Hypo.
Have others noticed this type of situation?

 

[Lamont D]

Yes, it is a common enough trait of being in control.
You are becoming more sensitive to your blood glucose levels rising and falling.
Your body is adjusting and liking where they are now.
Well done on your control!

 

[johnoo]

Yes, it is a common enough trait of being in control.
You are becoming more sensitive to your blood glucose levels rising and falling.
Your body is adjusting and liking where they are now.
Well done on your control!

Just to clarify, now that I'm in better control, ie BS of average 6.5, I am now not aware of going into a Hypo state when my BS goes the low 4's level.
So this is quite normal?

 

[AndBreathe]

Just to clarify, now that I'm in better control, ie BS of average 6.5, I am now not aware of going into a Hypo state when my BS goes the low 4's level.
So this is quite normal?

I would say it's normal for you, and many others like you, and those are certainly decent enough numbers, provided there aren't too many big numbers in there, being hidden in the averages.

Personally, when I grasped control, post diagnosis, my numbers became similar to yours, although the average was a bit lower, but that's me, not you.

These days, I usually run pretty low and am very regularly under 4 for extended periods, and I feel absolutely fine. Some folks do remain sensitive to the 4s, but my body seems to have recovered well enough that when my numbers go low, my liver releases just enough glucose to keep it happy, without going overboard. I don't and never have taken any medication.

Neither your post, nor your profile, give us any clues whether or not you take medication. If you aren't taking anything, or just Metformin, just carry on as you are, and just see where you get to. I believe everyone has a sort of "natural level".

If, however, you are taking Gliclazide or other medication which actively drives your blood glucose down (Metformin works differently), then keep an eye on those numbers. If you see some levels under 4 and well into the 3s, then you may need to have a chat with your Doc to look at tweaking your meds.

Good luck with it all.

 

[catapillar]

I can go to a BS of 4.2 two hours after a meal & I feel fine with no signs of Hypo.

That would be because you are not hypo. A hypo is under 4, low 4s or 4.2 is, rather obviously, over 4. 4.2 is not hypo, it's a normal blood sugar.

 

[Oldvatr]

That would be because you are not hypo. A hypo is under 4, low 4s or 4.2 is, rather obviously, over 4. 4.2 is not hypo, it's a normal blood sugar.

Some meters read higher than others The SD Codefree is generally reported as reading high, and mine averages out 1 mmol above my Caresense Dual. which in turn averages some 0,7 higher than my old NEO. While meters are useful, we need to be aware that they can lie and give us a false sense of safety.

Personally I get very unique and distinct symptoms of an approaching hypo which cannot be confused or ignored.

 

[kokhongw]

Just to clarify, now that I'm in better control, ie BS of average 6.5, I am now not aware of going into a Hypo state when my BS goes the low 4's level.
So this is quite normal?

A comfortable, safe, normal state is anywhere from 4-6 mmol.

But for those of us who are insulin resistant and have been running high for a long time...our brain needs some time to re-adjust.

The danger is when on certain medication/insulin, the drop may be too sudden and sharp, thereby causing one to go into coma.

It is interesting that there are hypo experiments done that goes as low as 2.8 mmol in a controlled setting...
Medium-Chain Fatty Acids Improve Cognitive Function in Intensively Treated Type 1 Diabetic Patients and Support In Vitro Synaptic Transmission During Acute Hypoglycemia
http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/58/5/1237

 

[johnoo]

I would say it's normal for you, and many others like you, and those are certainly decent enough numbers, provided there aren't too many big numbers in there, being hidden in the averages.

Personally, when I grasped control, post diagnosis, my numbers became similar to yours, although the average was a bit lower, but that's me, not you.

These days, I usually run pretty low and am very regularly under 4 for extended periods, and I feel absolutely fine. Some folks do remain sensitive to the 4s, but my body seems to have recovered well enough that when my numbers go low, my liver releases just enough glucose to keep it happy, without going overboard. I don't and never have taken any medication.

Neither your post, nor your profile, give us any clues whether or not you take medication. If you aren't taking anything, or just Metformin, just carry on as you are, and just see where you get to. I believe everyone has a sort of "natural level".

If, however, you are taking Gliclazide or other medication which actively drives your blood glucose down (Metformin works differently), then keep an eye on those numbers. If you see some levels under 4 and well into the 3s, then you may need to have a chat with your Doc to look at tweaking your meds.

Good luck with it all.

Reference medication, I'm Taking 2 Metfomin am + 1 Gliclazide & PM taking 2 Metformin.
I was also taking 1 Gliclazide PM but Nurse agreed I should stop this as due to my new diet I was getting too low.
As stated I'm waiting result of blood tests & hoping that dosage will be reduced/stopped.

 

[Dizzylish78]

That would be because you are not hypo. A hypo is under 4, low 4s or 4.2 is, rather obviously, over 4. 4.2 is not hypo, it's a normal blood sugar.

I average between 7/8 - 12 throughout the day, I'm being good with my diet but because I've had it it did so long without treatment it's taking a long time to settle, but is definitely improving. I've felt ill a couple of times - shaky, loss of concentration and feeling sick - on both occasions I've felt like this I've tested my blood sugar levels and I've been 5. Something - my body doesn't seem to like this low level, would it be considered a potential hypo? I've had to have sugar on both occasions to help me feel better

 

[catapillar]

I average between 7/8 - 12 throughout the day, I'm being good with my diet but because I've had it it did so long without treatment it's taking a long time to settle, but is definitely improving. I've felt ill a couple of times - shaky, loss of concentration and feeling sick - on both occasions I've felt like this I've tested my blood sugar levels and I've been 5. Something - my body doesn't seem to like this low level, would it be considered a potential hypo? I've had to have sugar on both occasions to help me feel better

No. 5 is not hypo. Hypoglycaemia is under 4. Again, over 4 is, rather obviously, not hypo.

If you're used to running hyper, over 8 would certainly be hyperglycaemic, when you come down to a normal blood sugar level (and 5 is a perfectly normal, not hypo, blood sugar level) your body, wrongly, thinks you are too low just because it isn't used to the normal levels and so you get hypo symptoms. This is a false hypo. You need to let your body get used to the normal levels.

 

[Lamont D]

I average between 7/8 - 12 throughout the day, I'm being good with my diet but because I've had it it did so long without treatment it's taking a long time to settle, but is definitely improving. I've felt ill a couple of times - shaky, loss of concentration and feeling sick - on both occasions I've felt like this I've tested my blood sugar levels and I've been 5. Something - my body doesn't seem to like this low level, would it be considered a potential hypo? I've had to have sugar on both occasions to help me feel better

Your body is used to high blood glucose levels and is not happy with your lower levels, this is called a false hypo or carb flu. It is your body and brain telling you to put some food or glucose into your body, these are symptoms that you may be able to see through if you can do it. It is worth it!
Once you do, your body will have adjusted and will like it even better as the symptoms will dissipate and you will feel better for it!
If you do feel really dreadful because of the symptoms, eat something else that will help you maintain a little control and won't spike you as much. Say something with a bit more fat, like full fat yoghurt that will slowly raise your blood glucose levels slowly, rather than rebound high then you will get the symptoms again because you will drop again. The worst thing you need with diabetes is fluctuating blood glucose levels. Up and down. It is more sensible to keep your levels as flat as possible.

Best wishes

 

[Dizzylish78]

No. 5 is not hypo. Hypoglycaemia is under 4. Again, over 4 is, rather obviously, not hypo.

If you're used to running hyper, over 8 would certainly be hyperglycaemic, when you come down to a normal blood sugar level (and 5 is a perfectly normal, not hypo, blood sugar level) your body, wrongly, thinks you are too low just because it isn't used to the normal levels and so you get hypo symptoms. This is a false hypo. You need to let your body get used to the normal levels.

That makes sense! Thanks