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Metformin/Hypos

E

Emylou46

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi all,
I’m newly diagnosed HBA1C of 55. I have started Metformin and currently on day 4 which I understand seems to be the day it kicks in. Today I had my normal low carbs before breakfast and lunch and then this afternoon by blood dropped to 2.6 and stayed between that and 3 for four hours despite having juice, jelly tots, sorbet and finally a high carb protein drink. I obviously felt pretty rubbish for those four hours and was shocked how long it took to come back up (it’s finally up to 7 now). I’ll obviously try and speak to the diabetic team as I’m due to double the about of Metformin this week but just wondered if this was normal when newly starting and at what point to do you seek medical help when your numbers are low if home alone? Is 2.6 dangerous?
 
Hi and welcome to the forum @Emylou46 . Having your blood work done and then finding out you have out of range blood sugars can come as a shock. A HbA1c of 55 is not overly high. Although your blood sugars are in the diabetic range you are not too far out of range. Is your blood sugar reading of 2.6 taken from a finger prick device or is it a reading from a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) ? Are you getting symptoms of low blood sugar? Low blood sugar symptoms can make you feel shaky, sweaty, nauseated and anxious. Eating something sugary is the best way to lift your blood sugars up. If using a CGM device then one should always cross check a reading with a finger prick reading. How long after eating did you test. Sorry fir all the questions.

Using a finger prick device allows for better accuracy at lower ranges than if you are using a CGM device. If your finger prick device is reading 2.6, then, if that was me, I would be increasing my carb intake before seeing your Dr. about your low blood sugar readings whilst on Metformin.

Metformin is not a drug known for causing low blood sugar, as it works by reducing glucose production by your liver. It does not directly reduce your circulating blood glucose. We cannot diagnose on the forum, but it is something to speak to your Dr about.

If you are using a CGM device, meaning a device that measures your blood sugars via a sensor, such as a Free Libre , then accuracy at lower blood sugars levels can be inaccurate. However, if you are getting blood sugar symptoms, then that is something to take notice of.

Finally when you say you are on a low carb diet, what dies that look like, what kind of foods are you eating ?
 
T
Thank you so much for such a detailed reply. I’m using a CGM device but I’ve now ordered a finger prick test kit to arrive tomorrow so I’m able to check if this happens again. I definitely had symptoms such as dizzy, spacey, tingling in head and body. I was alone for those 4hrs so pretty scary but my son came home to bring supplies. I’d got rid of all sugar, juices, bread etc so lesson learned to keep an emergency supply! When I say low carb I mean I’ve cut out bread, potatoes, rice etc and limiting a meal to max 30g of carbs (it’s rarely that much). I’ve messaged the diabetic team but I guess I’m just wondering how low your blood has to go before you seek medical help (whilst you can).
 
I would make sure to see my Dr or Diabetic nurse. How many Metformin are you taking (if only 4 days in it is probably 1)
get an appointment please. there is a thing called a false hypo when you are not used to lower sugar levels but that is more for the like of me who had a Hba1c of 129
 
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Emylou46 said:
Yes just one 500mg but due to double that this week. I’ve emailed them this evening so hopefully I’ll get an answer before I’m due to increase.
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I am no epert but 1 metformin shouldn't drop your levels that low I am on 1 metformin )reasons I dont take 4 (I did)) 1 long lasting insulin jab and 4 rapid acting daily now. Your levels are no where near what mine were. Let us know how you go on please
 
I will do, thank you.
 
So the thing to note here are your symptoms. False lows, as @Mark Rawlinson states, usually show up if your blood sugars have been high for some time, then when your high blood sugars are being treated and are much lower your body thinks it's short of glucose and naturally reacts.
CGM devices can be less accurate at levels below 3.5 . I recently had a low sugar episode, annoyingly my cgm paused for that period, but I had symptoms of low blood sugar, so I ate some sugary candy. I keep some with me at all times. I was out exercising at the time. When I got home I finger pricked, I was at 3.2. This was just under 10 mins after taking my candies. My CGM came out of its pause mode and read 2.5 - 6 I felt the hypo. I take a mild drug that increases insulin production as I do not produce enough insulin, but it had been hovering around 12 mmol/ls.
The important thing is to keep something sugary with you like an orange box or some jelly babies until you are able to speak with your team .
 
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