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Low Levels

E

Ewingsdale

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
2.9 mmol this morning seven day average has been 2.7 have cut my metformin and diamicron medication by 50% as of this morning as kind of worried that my levels are so low. I have dieted pretty hard over the last 5 months and swim for an hour each day my last 3 monthly average test had me at 6.2 which was a month ago so I have no idea accept that I am showing no signs of hyperglocemia I am feeling great and plenty of energy, any idea how long it takes for a reduction in medication to show up in blood levels?
 
You may be one of the rare people who don't feel any changes when their B/G drops to such low levels as you have been experiencing (2.7 and 2.9 mmol/L) but being so low (Hypoglycaemic) isn't a good thing as the brain needs a constant and adequate supply of Glucose to function properly, so you do need to talk this over with your Dr/Dietician as being so low can seriously harm you over time.
Not everyone is designed the same and some of us work best either above or below the magic threshold of 5.8 mmol/L but I suspect that you've become so used to such low levels that you aren't aware that they are actually so low.
As for how long before a change in medication takes to become effective, well that also will vary depending upon the individual and also on the type of medication (Metformin will take several days)
The figure of 6.2 that you mention, I'm presuming is your HbA1c reading which will show your average B/G level over the previous 3 month period. It isn't the same thing as the reading taken on a home B/G meter though the results are related, and might show that you could afford to increase the amount of carbohydrate in your daily diet slightly so as to bring this level up a bit.
 
Thank you so much for that information. I think I will consult my gp next week and get a referral to a Endocrinologist in the city and get a full check up better safe than sorry as you have made me think that perhaps my body has just become too accustomed to low cals over the five month period hence my not having typical hypoglycemic symptoms.
 
I don't know enough to comment properly on those symptoms but another thought crosses my mind
reactive hypoglycaemia
I am tagging our 2 resident experts on the subject for some support
@nosher8355 , @Brunneria
 
Hi

(thanks @himtoo )

My first thought is to ask when you are testing? Your post suggests that it is just fasting?
Maybe do some pre meal tests and then again at 2 hours after that. It will give you an idea of what your bg is around food. Defintely worth recording what you ate too, in case there are patterns relating to certain breakfasts, or foods...

Having said that, if you have recently lost weight, then adjusting your meds sounds like a very good idea, but you need to do it with the knowledge and input of your doc/nurse.

Well done on the weight loss, by the way. Great achievement!
 
Ewingsdale said:
2.9 mmol this morning seven day average has been 2.7 have cut my metformin and diamicron medication by 50% as of this morning as kind of worried that my levels are so low. I have dieted pretty hard over the last 5 months and swim for an hour each day my last 3 monthly average test had me at 6.2 which was a month ago so I have no idea accept that I am showing no signs of hyperglocemia I am feeling great and plenty of energy, any idea how long it takes for a reduction in medication to show up in blood levels?
Click to expand...

You've had some very valid contributions so far. One thing I would additionally ask is if these readings started with any other changes - like a new pot of strips, or change of reader? Secondly, have you retested those scores when they occur and finally, have you tried testing with strips from a different pot?

I have no reason to disbelieve your story, I'm just looking to exclude any option that could just be benign.

When you see the very low scores, do you automatically treat the number? If so, what do you raise your bloods too, and is the differential what you might normally expect to see, from treating a hypo (assuming you have a hypo treatment routine)?
 
Hi, I totally agree with Brun, you need to see what you're results are around food.

However, the meds you are on, are blood glucose lowering meds, glicizide.

Have a word with your GP, because it looks like the meds have done their job as you are getting really low readings. He might take you off them altogether!

Congrats on the weight loss!
 
Hi sorry for the late response , I went into the chemists today and purchased new strips just in case and also got my sugars tested by the pharmacist reading this morning was 2.8 at 9-54 am this evening at 6-59pm 2.4 Just for dinner this evening I have given up my low cal diet and have had a foot long subway meatball with lettuce and red onion I will do a test at the one hour mark 8-20pm and also the 2 hour mark and report back with the results. Edit Subway was on a white roll .
 
Ok so readings at 8.18pm 4.2 8.49pm 5.8 9.10pm 5.7 which I think are closer to normal , I shall do another test when I get up in the morning . I think it would be wise to see a specialist again just in case , but I think the low figures are probably due to low cal diet and exercise , I just do not know enough about this as to if the low figures may be detrimental to my health in the long term. Thank you again for all the previous kind replies and advice.
 
Glad you did the tests.

Those (edited to add those post meal) readings are absolutely and perfectly normal for a non-D. congratulations!
Diabetics tend to run higher than that, but it ain't necessarily a good thing, unless they are avoiding hypos because of medication.

I (as a totally not medically qualified person) am going to stick my neck out and say that on your current diet and exercise regime you need to cut your meds further. Obviously, you need to check that with your medical team! :)

Don't know anything about diamicron, but I do know that metformin takes a while to build up in the system, and then a while for the levels to drop. So it will take a few days, maybe 2-3 weeks for you to see the benefit of reducing that metformin.

Might be worth you checking how Diamicron works, and if it has a particular time after taking that it hits hardest?

Hope that helps.

Re the dangers of low level bg, I think if you are comfortable and functioning normally, with no hypo symptoms, then I wouldn't worry. Maybe make sure you are not that low when operating machinery or driving though! And check your med levels are right asap.
 
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Ewingsdale said:
Ok so readings at 8.18pm 4.2 8.49pm 5.8 9.10pm 5.7 which I think are closer to normal , I shall do another test when I get up in the morning . I think it would be wise to see a specialist again just in case , but I think the low figures are probably due to low cal diet and exercise , I just do not know enough about this as to if the low figures may be detrimental to my health in the long term. Thank you again for all the previous kind replies and advice.
Click to expand...

OK. Those numbers in the 2s might be considered an issue, in a number of circumstances. As someone who hasn't ever taken medication for diabetes, I don't have a detailed idea of how quickly Diamicron works, so I would suggest a consultation with someone who has that knowledge would be extremely worthwhile.

One comment I would make, from a personal perspective is that, I am absolutely not a fan of eating up to match medication. If I were using a medication regime that rendered my levels too low (for example maybe for driving - and I do suggest you spend time reading the patient leaflet from your latest supply, or google it), then I would passionately want to reduce my chemical intake, rather than stick with the chemicals and up my food - particularly if you are trying to trim up along the way.

I would suggest a trip to the Doc, then take it from there.
 
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