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metformin "fake hypos"?

jocat44

jocat44

Well-Known Member
Messages
58
Hi
Still working on getting my bg under control. While I was on metfomin SR 500mg OD I had a couple of occasions just before dinner so late afternoon that I felt very shaky. That was before I got my meter so cannot say what was happening with my bg but I am guessing it had gone lower than I am used to at the moment. Saw GP on Wednesday who increased me up to 1000mg Metformin SR od. On both Thurs and Fri before tea I ahve come over very hot, sweaty and shaking, checked bg immediately 5.1 and 5.5 mmol/L. This is low for me because all my other readings have been 8-18.2mmol/L.
I know I cannot have hypo's becuase on metformin but felt unwell today for about an hour. I normally have my breakfast (plain oats so simple and sultanas) between 11.00-12.00 (long story) then my tea at about 17.00. Has anyone any suggestions what is going on and what I should do?
Thanks
Jo
 
Hi Jo.

What you experienced are called 'False Hypo's'.

A false Hypo is when your body has been running high blood sugar levels for some time and then your levels drop down, this can give the symptoms of a hypo even though your Bg readings can be much higher, say in the 6 - 7 range or even above.

One thing you might like to do is stop using Oats So Simple. They contain a massive 66g to 71g carbs in each 100g serving, depending on the flavour. This will help to elevate your Bg levels. You need to test 1 and 2 and 3hrs after using this stuff and see what effect it has on your Bg levels.
You should also make sure you eat at the correct times, much healthier for a Diabetic.

BTW, anyone, even a non diabetic can Hypo. It just means that your Bg level has dropped below 4 mmol/l. This is considered the floor and can be caused by a lack of food.
 
Thanks for the advice Cugila much appreciated.
I am confused over this regular eating thing, my GP says I must eat regularly at least three times a day. I mentioned to one of the diabetic nurse's at the surgery that I was struggling with this (I only used to eat one meal prior to diagnosis). She replied that thinking has changed and I should only eat when I feel hungry and that I should ignore the GP. She also said that this is probably why I have gained weight because I am forcing myself to eat. Even on only one meal I very rarely feel hungry so I would not eat hardly at all if I follow the nurse's advice. When the GP doubled my metformin on Wed she again said I must make sure I eat at least three times a day. I don't know who to believe or what advice to follow.
Thanks
Jo
 
I'd stick with the advise to eat reguarly thats what I have been told including by the diabetes consultant I am seeing. Its best if you can even out your meals so that you get enough food without huge spikes and troughs in your blood sugar levels. However you dont need to eat huge amounts infact its obviously better that you dont, and watch the amount of carbs you are eating. I wouldnt personally advise low carb, but carbs have a big effect on your BS levels and are mostly responsible for people gaining weight. Eat 3 reasonably sized meals throughout the day and then have a couple of snacks when you need them, fruit being great for this.
 
Hi

Eating regularly will keep metabolism going as otherwise your body would go into 'famine' mode and retain weight easily. Im also led to believe that for T2's if you dont eat enough then you will be prone to liver dumps (particularly in the morning) as your body perceives there is no food for energy and will dump glycogen into your body as a way of preserving/giving you enough energy to carry on

As for fake hypos - cugila summed it up. Lower your bg in general and you wont feel rotten when they get to 5's. Just be reassured its not dangerous for you, though they do feel rotten (I know!).
Im not very sure about metformin but I thought that you had to take it with food? If you are getting it across the day then you are effectively taking meds when there is no food to tackle?
Therefore choices as I see it
-eat more
-have metformin with your only meal of the day
 
Hi Jo.

What Lilibet particularly has said, and advice from the others is spot on.

Go with the advice from your GP about meal times. ( I can't believe I just said that..... :? )
Three smaller meals a day at which you take any prescribed Metformin is the right way to do things. This way you probably won't need to snack through the day either.

As a Diabetic you should NEVER skip meals or go long periods without food. Just makes your body work harder to cope with the lows and then the sudden highs in Bg levels.
 
Hi all
Thanks for all the advice. Its just so confusing when the GP says one thing then one of the nurses at the same practice says the complete opposite grrrrr!! Especially as when I mentioned to the nurse this fact and her reply was that with all respect my GP wasn't up to date with diabetes. Possible I know because much of Dr training is while they are at university so can be several years out of date. I used to work with the nurse though (she's forgotten me) and she is so unprofessional and always had been I have no respect for her at all. Luckily I got allocated to the other nurse in the practice who is nice. I went to mum's appointment with the horrible nurse and she asked me what I was having difficulty with (she knew mum and I were diagnosed at near enough the same time). I replied eating regular meals and that's when I got her odd response.
Thanks
Jo
 
jocat44 said:
Thanks for the advice Cugila much appreciated.
I am confused over this regular eating thing, my GP says I must eat regularly at least three times a day. I mentioned to one of the diabetic nurse's at the surgery that I was struggling with this (I only used to eat one meal prior to diagnosis). She replied that thinking has changed and I should only eat when I feel hungry and that I should ignore the GP. She also said that this is probably why I have gained weight because I am forcing myself to eat. Even on only one meal I very rarely feel hungry so I would not eat hardly at all if I follow the nurse's advice. When the GP doubled my metformin on Wed she again said I must make sure I eat at least three times a day. I don't know who to believe or what advice to follow.
Thanks
Jo
Click to expand...
Hi, I reside in Australia. I regularly see a Low Carb High Fat Dietitian for my Type II Diabetes and I generally only eat 1 meal a day (OMAD) - once you become fat adapted & really limit Carbs the hunger is just not there really.

It also creates a smooth even blood glucose pattern during the day without the Spikes & Crashes associated with Carbs. GP’s get very little medical & nutrition training!
 
Low Carb Aussie said:
Hi, I reside in Australia. I regularly see a Low Carb High Fat Dietitian for my Type II Diabetes and I generally only eat 1 meal a day (OMAD) - once you become fat adapted & really limit Carbs the hunger is just not there really.

It also creates a smooth even blood glucose pattern during the day without the Spikes & Crashes associated with Carbs. GP’s get very little medical & nutrition training!
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome to the forum,
Unfortunately, you are on very old thread.

If you would like to post, go to the type two or low carb forum.

Keep safe
 
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