Libre "Going Low" T2 no meds ? is it a problem?

[CherryAA]

I am a Type 2 diabetic, trying to control only by diet. I've had a great day today, waking at 5.1 highest reading 8.1 for about ten minutes. I've spent the vast majority of the day in the 5's . Because the readings were so stable I measured my Libre against Codefree bloods and both read 5.2 so some reassurance at least that the Libre is accurate.

Having returned home from my walk the Libre told me I was going low - with a reading of 4.1 though its now eased off to 4.7.
The codefree at the same time is reading 5.6 My inclination is to assume the Libre is having a little caniption possibly just to do with the temperature change from outside to in and its nothing to worry about.

. I feel totally fine and I don't particularly want to end up the day with a high just by eating something sweet just before bed. Would anyone here do anything specific at this point.?

Has anyone else encountered this phenomenon in the Libre when going from outside to inside ?

I've only had one actual " hypo" reading using the Libre and that was overnight after a changeover when I am fairly certain it was just reading everything low.

 

[CherryAA]

back to 5.1 I'm going to assume machine error !

 

[4ratbags]

I definitely wouldn't eat anything sweet before bed but if you are worried you could always eat a few nuts ect before bed. Your body is the best indicator so if you felt fine then you could most probably assume that it is a blip in the meter and even the lowest reading was still above 4 so not quite a hypo anyway.

 

[donnellysdogs]

Are you aware the libre has a time lag on its results?

 

[Energize]

Hi CherryAA

My understanding is that the Libre is generally 'out' when your glucose level is further to the extremes. By that, I mean that as your glucose levels read higher, your meter will rise at a 'normal' level but the Libre will read 'higher', so the higher your levels, the more exaggerated is the Libre reading. In the same way, as your glucose levels drop lower, the Libre will exaggerate the reading as against the meter. The range in the 'middle' is generally more accurate, especially if levels are not changing very quickly / or level.

I'm not sure I've explained that too well so maybe someone else can explain better

 

[chalup]

On the rare occasion as a non insulin using type 2 that I get a 4.1 I just do my happy dance and carry on.

 

[Mep]

Your muscles use more glucose when you're exercising too so that is a possibility why you dropped lower. If you start feeling hypo symptoms, then you may have a problem. But if you're above 4 and not feeling hypo at all and your BGL is increasing then it's ok. Also it could be meter error as well as you're thinking. I can't say I ever had a hypo when on diet control. My first hypo I had with diabetes was when I was placed on metformin. I've been having them ever since. I wish you the best.

 

[CherryAA]

Thanks all, the other " hypo" happened over night and seemed to show me going down to maybe 3. I figured that was just an early stage in the sensor getting used to me.

I spent all night at about 4.8 per the censor so I'm sticking with " happy dance "

 

[tim2000s]

Just updated the title @CherryAA as I assumed you were experiencing alarms from a Dexcom.

 

[CherryAA]

@tim2000s
Thanks

 

[CherryAA]

Are you aware the libre has a time lag on its results?

thanks - yes I understand that though so far the actual difference between the Codefree and the Libre seem more random than that. However when my blood sugar has been stable for an hour or more which it is now starting to be, the two do read the same - which is good news I guess !

 

[Bluetit1802]

I'm also diet only T2 and have used 5 sensors so far. It tells me I am in the low 4s and high 3s overnight. I seem to drop from the 5s as soon as I go to sleep and am back in the 5s when I wake up. I have put this down to being asleep and relaxed, and also maybe to lying on the sensor arm. I also have to use the loo during the night, at least once, frequently twice, and I notice that at these times it rises slightly. I put that down to having a full bladder and walking to and from the bathroom. I certainly don't worry about it. My liver looks after me.

 

[CherryAA]

@Bluetit1802

Thanks, I guess I'm a little sensitive about it all having managed to fall over when my bs went down to 5. I am going to be living with the resulting torn ligaments for 12-18 months so I really don't want to fall over again!

 

[slip]

The Libre along with most other CGM type devices are susceptible to 'compression lows' especially when sleeping - if you do get a 'odd' reading always back it up with a blood test.

T0s can and do drop into the 3s anyway so your 4.1 or even 3.9 is 'normal' and nothing to worry about, your liver will sort you out if need be.

 

[catapillar]

Neither 4.7 or 4.1 is a hypo. If you aren't on blood sugar lowering medication a low reading isn't something that requires any response if you have symptoms, it's just a low reading that will normalise by you body's natural response. It's being hungry, not being hypo. As a diet treated type 2 diabetic you have a libre to manage high blood sugar, diabetes is a condition of high blood sugar and you aren't on any diabetic medication that cause low blood sugar, so just ignore it when it tells you you are low, it's not relevant to you.

 

[JohnEGreen]

I have been in the low 3's on one occasion but at least I was lying down at the time.

 

[donnellysdogs]

I have been in the low 3's on one occasion but at least I was lying down at the time.

But with inaccuracy of all machines you could actually still be higher!! (Or lower-lol!!)

 

[JohnEGreen]

Can't get much lower than flat out on the floor lol

 

[slip]

ummmm.........................6 foot under?!?!?

 

[AndBreathe]

I regularly go low, and I sometimes go very low - without any issue. I feel fine.

Usually when I'm very low (I'll spare anyone the numbers, because they're really only truly relevant to me), I'm usually either asleep or hungry. If I'm asleep, the only evidence I have of it is my Libre trace when I wake, and if I'm awake and hungry, unless my meal is coming onto the table in the immediacy, I'd tend to just have a cup of tea to last me until mealtime. If my meal was hours away, I'd have a cup of tea and a bit of something to eat, but nothing sweet. All of that foregoing is because I feel fine.

My body has recovered very well, since it's early days, pre and post diagnosis, and it functions well to look after me these days.

Again, I reiterate that my actions are because I feel fine, and my clasification was T2. For anyone feeling unwell or wobbly/unsteady in themselves, they have to consider for themselves what steps they take. I would urge such a person not to dive straight into glucose, fizzy drinks or such likes, unless they are taking insulin or other aggresive glucose lowering/insulin stimulating medication and therefore could be at risk of a more serious hypo.

Although possible, few T2s are at risk of medically worrying hypos, unless on the hefty drugs I describe. Those using diet only, or Metformin are rarely at risk.