Low carb hypo fix

If you are low but don't feel hypo then I'd have a piece of fruit to bring your BG back up. I always keep cherries in the freezer for that reason.

If you are actually having a hypo then you need something a bit more fast acting I prefer jelly babies or dextrose sweets - try three at first when/if you feel a bit hypo then wait a while - about 15 mins if possible, test again and repeat until you are happy with your BG. Good alternatives are a small carton of proper orange juice or half a small bottle of lucozade.

I wouldn't wait to go any lower than 3.2 before trying to bring it back up even if you feel fine. The confusion that comes with a hypo can stop you doing sensible things and can come on very quickly.

purplepenguin said:

Since going low carb I've been getting readings as low as 3.2 and since I'm not seeing my nurse for a few more days to ask if I can come off gliclazide, what can I do to combat a low reading? What will work to get a little higher. Also, is 3.2 terrible, because I don't feel ill at all.

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You could consider upping the carb content of the meals temporarily until you see the DN. Personally, I would unilateraly declare war on Gliclazide, and drop a tab then test to see how things go. If you still get reasonable bgl then it would be time to own up to DN or GP and get permanent and official change to scrip, Beware that you may get flak from said medics over tempting fate with a 'fad' or 'dangerous' diet that goes against the official Eatwell#2 diet from the NHS.

I personally have a large bottle of excess Glic tabs on my dresser where I played round with the same dilemma and I have now reduced from 4 tabs to 1 a day officially. Provided you test properly then you are in less danger than your current hypo-prone state. Keep a before and after log to justify your actions.

I would be tempted to ring the surgery and ask for an urgent phone consult with a view to reviewing your meds.
It would be a real pity if all your hard work and achievements leave you yoyoing through hypos - and yes, they make you feel awful.

You may also find this thread interesting.
Poor 6 Monthly Results & Very Worried

The OP was in almost the exact same situation as you (low carbing, with dropping numbers) and got his meds reduced.

purplepenguin said:

Thank you for all your advice. I saw the nurse today and I'm off the gliclazide. I must me very lucky because she wasn't disgusted at the low carb and intermittent fasting either!

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That is my what the dietician said when I saw her - my readings were down to 3.8 (on 40mg twice a day) and she said then that I didn't need the gliclizade. She also didn't bat an eyelid when I said I was doing low carb/Atkins. My levels since coming off have mostly been in the high 4s and 5's. I dropped the evening tab first for a week and then the morning one the next week. Didn't have any problems. I still keep them in stock for the odd instance when I know I will very likely spike (dinner at the parents - with potatoes - not many), but I know I can live without them. At the end of the day its what works for you - and if we can be in charge of the diabetes the better (rather than the other way round).