Out of whack

[nannoo_bird]

Hi all. I have been a T2 for around 16 years, take medication and insulin. I have always checked my bloods regularly, and whilst not always strict, I balance out my levels with Apidra. However, for no apparent reason, my bloods started spiking a couple of weeks ago, and now they are going nuts - they can range from 3 to 27 over the course of a day. I had a hypo in the night and could not move - thank goodness my husband was there to check my bloods and get me to take some glucose. This is not food related, so what could cause wild swings of BGs? And what would be the best was of getting them back on track? Many thanks.

 

[Oldvatr]

Hi all. I have been a T2 for around 16 years, take medication and insulin. I have always checked my bloods regularly, and whilst not always strict, I balance out my levels with Apidra. However, for no apparent reason, my bloods started spiking a couple of weeks ago, and now they are going nuts - they can range from 3 to 27 over the course of a day. I had a hypo in the night and could not move - thank goodness my husband was there to check my bloods and get me to take some glucose. This is not food related, so what could cause wild swings of BGs? And what would be the best was of getting them back on track? Many thanks.

Have you had your bloods checked recently, Apparently Apidra is hypokalemic, and can reduce blood potassium levels.

There are many posssible causes why glucose levels vary. I cannot advise on insulin effects since it is not in my experience, but the normal T2D things that can upset the apple cart are, stress (raises cortisol levels aka adrenaline) , illness, hormones (especially if near menopause), diet (which you have mentioned) and change of eating habits( i.e. timing, fasting, moving to OMAD or 2MAD).

Finally, it may be a progression of T2D, and you should consult your doctor if it persists and no obvious cause has been identified.

 

[AndBreathe]

Hi all. I have been a T2 for around 16 years, take medication and insulin. I have always checked my bloods regularly, and whilst not always strict, I balance out my levels with Apidra. However, for no apparent reason, my bloods started spiking a couple of weeks ago, and now they are going nuts - they can range from 3 to 27 over the course of a day. I had a hypo in the night and could not move - thank goodness my husband was there to check my bloods and get me to take some glucose. This is not food related, so what could cause wild swings of BGs? And what would be the best was of getting them back on track? Many thanks.

I'm not an insulin user, but have your tried a new pen/cartridge? Secondly are your injection sites lumpy at all?

 

[Deleted member 527103]

The best advice for getting your levels back on track would be to talk to a doctor.
If this has been going on for a few weeks, it is very unlikely to be your insulin.
Itncould be related to the insulin absorption or food digestion rates.
Some times we just find it is time to try a different insulin.

 

[nannoo_bird]

Thank you guys. I take it you are all living in the UK, and therefore know that we have a health service - NHS and private - in crisis. I live in Cornwall, where our health services have all but collapsed. I got a doctor's appointment, but it was by phone and had four weeks to wait! I have complex problems, as I also have Hashimoto's - diagnosed 12 years ago when I lived in Switzerland - but it has never been tested, diagnosed or treated since I returned to the UK 10 years ago despite my insistance. I have a very comprehensive health insurance which would cover the best treatment, but there are few private doctors in Cornwall, and they are not taking new patients.

Re lumps under the skin, I am covered in them, I guess it is scar tissue, and I have to find a clear route each time I inject.

I really have so little faith in most doctors, they are stretched to their limits and work within a system that is so botched and complicated and truly is close to collapse. I say this having supported my husband during his cancer battle, when he was almost a year in hospital, and can't remember how many times I lost my temper over administrative ****-ups.

Also, I know how it COULD work I lived in Switzerland for many years, and their system is flawless. Yes, it's a rich country and yes, you have to have insurance BUT it can work.

I could go on for hours - sorry this is so long! - but I feel the best I can do is to ask informed people like you, read all I can, change my diet, exercise more, and go back to mindfulness.

If you've got this far, thank you so much! xxx

 

[Oldvatr]

Well whilst we can share our own stories we cannot suggest any treatment changes for you. That has to be via a qualified physician or HCP.

If you are hitting 27 mmol/l then you will probably be creating ketones in the process. Do you have means for measuring ketone levels? Either monitor test strips or wee sticks? I went around for quite a while with levels higher than that, and was in blissful ignorance of that since I felt fine, and I was following GP advice not to test, and I also had no advice on DKA either. So I was a car crash waiting to happen. My GP called me in for annual HbA1c where it was apparent even to me that things were going to change. I chose LCHF which for me was a life saver. Otherwise I too would be on insulin as a classic case of T2D progression.

How long has it been since your thyroid function was tested? Maybe it has flared up? I don't know much about this condition but it is definitely ralated to T2D. Here is an article on Hashimoto and T2D

Understanding The Relationship Between Hashimoto’s Disease And Diabetes

Hashimoto's disease & diabetes is defined by a complex, interdependent relationship. Learn about the interactions between Hashimoto's & diabetes.

healthmatch.io

 

[nannoo_bird]

Oldvatr, you are a star. Thank you so much for the article. I will get some ketone strips. There is so much misinformation out there amongst the medical profession, and I have heard nonsense from a few diabetes nurses. The thyroid and the pancreas are linked and from what I have read, if both are out of whack then both need to be treated. The thyroid test in the UK has not been reviewed for years,and only tests for two markers, and if they look OK, they won't go further. But there are around 7 tests that need to be done to fully see what is really going on with your thyroid.

A few months ago I was diagnosed with anaemia by the GP. The standard thing to do in the NHS is to assume this is a bowel problem, so I was fast-tracked for both an endoscopy and a colonoscopy. I told the consultant that I was diabetic and it could be that causing the problem, and he said he had no training in diabetes and hadn't a clue. So, 5 or so weeks later I get the all-clear, but for all I know I may still have anaemia (I do take an iron supplement now). I know that diabetics can sufer kidney problems which can in turn cause anaemia.

 

[Oldvatr]

Oldvatr, you are a star. Thank you so much for the article. I will get some ketone strips. There is so much misinformation out there amongst the medical profession, and I have heard nonsense from a few diabetes nurses. The thyroid and the pancreas are linked and from what I have read, if both are out of whack then both need to be treated. The thyroid test in the UK has not been reviewed for years,and only tests for two markers, and if they look OK, they won't go further. But there are around 7 tests that need to be done to fully see what is really going on with your thyroid.

A few months ago I was diagnosed with anaemia by the GP. The standard thing to do in the NHS is to assume this is a bowel problem, so I was fast-tracked for both an endoscopy and a colonoscopy. I told the consultant that I was diabetic and it could be that causing the problem, and he said he had no training in diabetes and hadn't a clue. So, 5 or so weeks later I get the all-clear, but for all I know I may still have anaemia (I nb do take an iron supplement now). I know that diabetics can sufer kidney problems which can in turn cause anaemia.

The Iron supplement need to be taken together with Folate (B9, and Vit C otherwise you will not benefit much apart from black stools. PS. A hospital visit for a different problem sent the nursing staff into a tailspin over the iron tablets and my waste output which they were monitoring. Seemed like I wa rusting away. (TMI) The iron tablet will only help the anemia if your B12 levels are good, but I suppose that is another test they don't give. I had to demand mine because I was on Metformin which eats B12.

 

[nannoo_bird]

Thanks. I take a number of supplements, all self-prescribed. I take omega 3, a probiotic, fish oil and magnesium. I also take iron and B12 in spray form. If I add folate, would anything clash with that? I also take a raft of prescribed meds including Metformin.

 

[Oldvatr]

Thanks. I take a number of supplements, all self-prescribed. I take omega 3, a probiotic, fish oil and magnesium. I also take iron and B12 in spray form. If I add folate, would anything clash with that? I also take a raft of prescribed meds including Metformin.

Folate seems to be fairly benign, I take it onscrip. I did not see any Vitamin D, so in the UK supplementation is usually benficial especially for women.

Going back to the OP. I think it is important to get facetime with a GP to discuss thyroid issues, and also any insulin changes that might be necessary. If on high dose Metformin, then you should qualify for a B12 blood test.

 

[AndBreathe]

Oldvatr, you are a star. Thank you so much for the article. I will get some ketone strips. There is so much misinformation out there amongst the medical profession, and I have heard nonsense from a few diabetes nurses. The thyroid and the pancreas are linked and from what I have read, if both are out of whack then both need to be treated. The thyroid test in the UK has not been reviewed for years,and only tests for two markers, and if they look OK, they won't go further. But there are around 7 tests that need to be done to fully see what is really going on with your thyroid.

A few months ago I was diagnosed with anaemia by the GP. The standard thing to do in the NHS is to assume this is a bowel problem, so I was fast-tracked for both an endoscopy and a colonoscopy. I told the consultant that I was diabetic and it could be that causing the problem, and he said he had no training in diabetes and hadn't a clue. So, 5 or so weeks later I get the all-clear, but for all I know I may still have anaemia (I do take an iron supplement now). I know that diabetics can sufer kidney problems which can in turn cause anaemia.

Nanoo_bird, there are many providers who do private blood tests, and they're not all astronomical.

If your Hashi's is flaring you will need to choose a provider testing antibodies.

I am fortunate to have an Endo for my thyroid challenges (not Hashi's for me), so have regular testing and monitoring. My GP slips in a Thyroid Function test every now and then when I'm having other bloods done, which come back as a nonsense because the Endo's required protocols cannot be followed without 48 hours notice, but it ticks their boxes.

I achieved traction with my errant, non-typical thyroid challenges by seeing the Endo privately in the first instance.

Where are you based in UK, roughly.

 

[nannoo_bird]

Hi there, thanks for your input. I am in Cornwall, which may as well be Timbuktu when it comes to healthcare. I have had some private bloods done, and they show that I am hypothyroid/Hashi's. But as you probably know, the UK healthcare system only tests for TSH, T3 and T4, but not all the other tests that are needed.