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Low blood sugar even after eating.

A

Ann1804

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I'm newly diagnosed with type two, and basically left to get on with it with advice from a few booklets. I'm seeing the nurse in about two weeks. I've been checking my blood glucose but it's frequently showing Lo, even after eating. The highest it's gone has been 9.6. Is this normal? I've been cutting down on carbs mostly for almost two weeks and trying to avoid sugar, but I don't really know what the readings indicate. When it's Lo should I be eating more carbs? Any advice would be welcome. I'm checking online but sometimes what I find just gives me more questions and uncertainty. Help!!!
 
Hi @Ann1804 , welcome to the forum.

What glucose meter do you use, and are the test strips in date?
Do you have symptoms when the meter says LO?

Do I understand correctly that you're not on medication for your diabetes?

If you're not on diabetes medication, it would be almost impossible to go low enough to get a LO reading, especially if you're not close to being unconscious when it happens.
Going that low usually gives very strong symptoms.

So for now, I'd assume there's something wrong with your meter (is it new?), your test strips or the way you use them.

However, if you are on medication, especially gliclazide or insulin, hypos are a true risk.
If that's the case and your meter says LO, I'd treat with some fast acting sugar until you've had your meter checked.
 
 
Hi Antje, Thanks for your reply. I'm using a SInocare monitor, which is new, and the test strips are in date (Feb 2023). I don't really have symptoms apart from feeling more tired. I'm not on medication. How can I get the monitor checked? I sometimes need to use two or three test strips to get the meter to go into the 10 second countdown then other times it goes quickly into countdown other times can take about a minute. Do you think that would indicate a fault with the meter?
I'm just a bit confused with the readings.
 
Ann1804 said:
I sometimes need to use two or three test strips to get the meter to go into the 10 second countdown then other times it goes quickly into countdown other times can take about a minute. Do you think that would indicate a fault with the meter?
Click to expand...
This sounds like either a fault with the meter, or a fault with the way you use it. It should never take a minute to go into countdown.
Are you sure enough blood goes into the teststrip, in the right place?
 
I've been using a Sinocare meter for the last year or so, I get a 'Lo' reading on it when I don't get enough blood onto the sensor and/or don't get it in the right place.

You need to dip the end of the strip into the blood droplet not put the drop onto the strip. The sensor strips are like a sandwich of materials and the blood gets 'sucked' up into the sensor area. If you get some but not enough blood in there then it will register that there's something there but will show as 'Lo'.
 
I use two meters, and one of them is very pernickity. I have to get the blood onto the edge of the tip of the strip, which I do by lowering the meter vertically onto the drop on the finger. Having the strip horizontal sometimes fails to get the blood. My meter gives an error code if it is unhappy about the amount. The other thing is that the first drop of blood has a high number of platelets in it, which makes capilliary action less effective. This is why you should discard the first drop and measure the second one.
 
Oldvatr said:
This is why you should discard the first drop and measure the second one.
Click to expand...

Really? To be honest i don't do that, though I do sometimes find that I don't get enough blood on a strip.... Personally, if you have a choice of meter, I'd definitely choose one with the smallest drop size...
 
Oldvatr said:
The other thing is that the first drop of blood has a high number of platelets in it, which makes capilliary action less effective. This is why you should discard the first drop and measure the second one.
Click to expand...
In the Netherlands they have recently dropped the advice to use the second drop, so now I use the first. Works fine for me.
 
Antje77 said:
In the Netherlands they have recently dropped the advice to use the second drop, so now I use the first. Works fine for me.
Click to expand...
The reason why the first drop is a problem is because it is full of clotting agents (platelets) which makes the first drop stickier and reduced blood flow, It is trying to repair the puncture site. This viscosity increases surface tension and makes it harder for the drop to be drawn up to the well where it activates the enzyme sensor. It may be that the design of the strips to accommodate a smaller sample size has helped, but the principles will still apply for some people who struggle to get an adequate droplet.
 
Very sound reasoning but I have never had a problem with first drop on any meter I've used the problems I have had have been due to not geting the blood drawn into the strip properly but usually when due to very shakey hands.
 
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