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Question on lightheadedness

G

gregcollins

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hell all. Just looking for a bit more advice. Newly treated with metformin. I’m in a low carb diet and trying to lose weight and get used to condition. I am down about 7 to 8 lbs in over a week. Silly question … I’m getting lightheaded when I get up. I checked blood with a finger prick test which showed 6.0 so it’s not low blood sugar ?? Any advice ?
 
Light headed might be low blood pressure, dehydration, keto flu........

How long does it last?
 
Low blood pressure ? A low carb way of eating tends to 'normalise' blood pressure, but for those on BP meds, it can mean that it gets a bit too low and so they need to reduce (or even stop) their Blood Pressure medication. Dr Unwin (@lowCarpGP on Twitter) was a case in point.

Edited to say that's his Twitter id.
 
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LittleGreyCat said:
Light headed might be low blood pressure, dehydration, keto flu........

How long does it last?
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I ate last night about 2200. I was doing a few bits around the house. So maybe an hour or 2. Had a low carb lunch and it went 30 to 45 mins after.
 
ianf0ster said:
Low blood pressure ? A low carc way of eating tends to 'normalise' blood pressure, but for those on BP meds, it can mean that it gets a bit too low and so they need to reduce (or even stop) their Blood Pressure medication. Dr Unwin (@lowCarpGP) was a case in point.
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I am on BP medication.
 
gregcollins said:
I am on BP medication.
Click to expand...

I am on a ow carb forum and several people have had nasty falls, one life changing - due to ignoring symptoms of low blood pressure.
Low carb normalizes so many modern ailments - you need to sort it out

mod edit to conform with rules
 
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I was on two BP meds when I was diagnosed type 2. Within the first year I had one stopped and the other dose was halved. Don’t stop any meds without consulting you GP first, it may turn out to be something else.
 
I get occasional light headedness when I get up quickly (and have actually fainted once), which I think is just my body adjusting to the lower blood sugar levels I have now.

For background I was averaging morning blood sugar levels of around 15 when diagnosed in late March with an hb1ac of 106. Since then I'm averaging 6.6 in the last couple of months (with occasional tests in the mid to high 4's), had an hb1ac of 53 a month or so back and have lost about 3 stone in that period (BMI down from 28.4 to 22.8). So lots of changes in there, and no wonder my body needs time to adapt.
 
niblue said:
I get occasional light headedness when I get up quickly (and have actually fainted once), which I think is just my body adjusting to the lower blood sugar levels I have now.

For background I was averaging morning blood sugar levels of around 15 when diagnosed in late March with an hb1ac of 106. Since then I'm averaging 6.6 in the last couple of months (with occasional tests in the mid to high 4's), had an hb1ac of 53 a month or so back and have lost about 3 stone in that period (BMI down from 28.4 to 22.8). So lots of changes in there, and no wonder my body needs time to adapt.
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Same as me, since my blood sugar went low. I am hoping the body will find a new normal although it's been 3 to 4 months now.
 
@gregcollins you could try both drinking more water or fluids and adding more salt. If you previously had convenience or processed foods they might have had more salt in and now your body needs it from other sources.
Some keto sites suggest combining both (salt and water) and vinegar as electrolytes, but that's always been a step too far for me.
I just add salt to my eggs, which I never used to.
 
gregcollins said:
Hell all. Just looking for a bit more advice. Newly treated with metformin. I’m in a low carb diet and trying to lose weight and get used to condition. I am down about 7 to 8 lbs in over a week. Silly question … I’m getting lightheaded when I get up. I checked blood with a finger prick test which showed 6.0 so it’s not low blood sugar ?? Any advice ?
Click to expand...
Another vote for possible low blood pressure. I had normal values when diagnosed, and since low carbing, I have to add salt to just about everything to keep from the world going dark. My blood pressure just is a tad too low not to. Consider this: There's salt in bread, in pasta, we put it on spuds etc... All the things you're not eating anymore. Keep in mind though, this might be a case of barking up the wrong tree entirely, this could indeed be an issue of false hypo's, in which case it should go away on its own. One way to fnd out: Can you get your hands on a blood pressure meter? Borrow one, or maybe check amazon for one. They're not too dear and no issues with test strips. ;) I know mine was very useful when my husband had Long Covid and his blood pressure went all wonky for a bit there. Same as with a blood glucose meter: If you take measurements, then you know.

And when you know, you might need to adjust your BP medication. If you record measurements, it'll help your doc make the adjustment.
 
JoKalsbeek said:
Another vote for possible low blood pressure. I had normal values when diagnosed, and since low carbing, I have to add salt to just about everything to keep from the world going dark. My blood pressure just is a tad too low not to. Consider this: There's salt in bread, in pasta, we put it on spuds etc... All the things you're not eating anymore. Keep in mind though, this might be a case of barking up the wrong tree entirely, this could indeed be an issue of false hypo's, in which case it should go away on its own. One way to fnd out: Can you get your hands on a blood pressure meter? Borrow one, or maybe check amazon for one. They're not too dear and no issues with test strips. ;) I know mine was very useful when my husband had Long Covid and his blood pressure went all wonky for a bit there. Same as with a blood glucose meter: If you take measurements, then you know.

And when you know, you might need to adjust your BP medication. If you record measurements, it'll help your doc make the adjustment.
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Thanks for the reply . Sorry for delay in replying !!! I have a BP meter. Since I lost a a bit of wait the bottom numbers on the readings have really dropped. The lightheadedness is a lot better than it was . I just need to be careful getting up . I will try adding salt to my dinner. GP told me not to do this because of BP but that is a lot better so will give it a go .
 
MrsA2 said:
@gregcollins you could try both drinking more water or fluids and adding more salt. If you previously had convenience or processed foods they might have had more salt in and now your body needs it from other sources.
Some keto sites suggest combining both (salt and water) and vinegar as electrolytes, but that's always been a step too far for me.
I just add salt to my eggs, which I never used to.
Click to expand...
Thank you !
 
It's going in the right direction. Based on the great help I have had here. I monitor glucose before and after dinner. I am coming close to between 4.5 and 5.3 before dinner. and between 6 and 7 after. Really being very careful on carbs. When I got prescribed medication was 204lb with hba1 of 57 . I am now down to 190 . Wife is amazing as she is managing my carbs for me . I have slashed my carb intake and it has made all the difference. You people have made such a difference . Shame I didn't get off my behind and get on here earlier !
 
gregcollins said:
It's going in the right direction. Based on the great help I have had here. I monitor glucose before and after dinner. I am coming close to between 4.5 and 5.3 before dinner. and between 6 and 7 after. Really being very careful on carbs. When I got prescribed medication was 204lb with hba1 of 57 . I am now down to 190 . Wife is amazing as she is managing my carbs for me . I have slashed my carb intake and it has made all the difference. You people have made such a difference . Shame I didn't get off my behind and get on here earlier !
Click to expand...
You're doing it all now, and you have a supportive spouse, which can make a big difference as well. Congratulations on your progress! Well done!
 
JoKalsbeek said:
You're doing it all now, and you have a supportive spouse, which can make a big difference as well. Congratulations on your progress! Well done!
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Hello , I followed your blog . Based on your wise words I have worked out it is rice & couscous for me . If I have either I go well over the 2 after meals. Even with a small portion. Data is everything in they isn't it ? It's all about the pattern . I now take three readings a day . BP, Glucose and weight . Very interesting to monitor what foods affect ! 1690274890016.png
 
ajbod said:
I personally wouldn't bother weighing, just know it's working when your trousers won't stay up, and need replacing with smaller sizes ;)
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I'm having that problem at the moment - doing a bit of work out of the house and now I have to do some more to fund the reduction in waist size - though maybe I should just buy some snazzy braces.
 
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