Thank you EllieM and LamontD for your prompt and helpful responses. I have been coping with episodes of low blood sugar for many years. Was finally diagnosed 2021 following an oral glucose tolerance test when my Bgucose went from 9.3 thirty mins after glucose load and dropped to 2.9 180 mins later. After leaving the clinic I felt like someone who had dementia and had difficulty thinking how to find the car where my husband was waiting. I have had no other tests but had one telephone session with a dietician. I follow a mostly plant based diet plus fish and eggs and some dairy. Try to minimise carbs like white rice, potatoes oats and avoid all sugary drinks puddings cakes Etc. Any ideas for healthy and enjoyable snacks would be appreciated. I snack on dark chocolate, Ryvita with peanut butter, nuts and cheese on crackers. I stop eating around 7 as if I ate later it caused a steep climb of Bg then dropped early during my sleep. See attached for last nights Bg freestyle Libre gragh. I did a finger prick test around 6 when I wakened and it was much higher 5.1 and then when I rechecked the freestyle libre it had started to climb and was 4.7. Once I waken the Dawn phenomenon causes my Bg to rise quickly. So still don’t know if I am having genuine hypos during sleep although the symptoms suggest that is what is happening. I always have a headache first thing in the morning until I eat. Maybe the consultant is right it’s just the freestyle libre being unreliable. I was aware of compression lows. It would be helpful to know what you take lamont if you do have a nocturnal low. Its good to be in touch as there is little support and I have been unable to find much research or information online and I am someone who likes to understand fully what’s going on.
thank you
I again welcome you to our forum.
especially if I didn't first time around.round
The eOGTT, which is the test you had, (extended oral glucose tolerance test) does resemble one of mine, however my 75g of glucose in my first test was much higher and it was in hypo 3 and a half hours after.
But it was similar symptoms, which I had been having for many years before diagnosis. And the sister and house doctor didn't have a clue what to give me to correct the low. Offering butties (lactose intolerant) Lucozade, yuk! And finally settled on a couple of biscuits and black tea. However, I had already reacted again. (Rebound effect)
And my BG levels were going rollercoaster again.
I spent over twelve hours in hospital that day.
For my others, I was prepared to have a few carbs (rich tea biscuit) and a cuppa, until I knew my bloods were in constant normal levels.
I use this experience to help others understand you don't need much to raise by BG levels out of hypo levels by finger prick testing every fifteen minutes. And a zero carb meal, if you can face one, shortly after.
I will are that my favourite meal, was in the hospital staff canteen after over 80 hours fasting. Bacon eggs and tomatoes and a few mushrooms..
So, night time hypos, I know I have had them especially before diagnosis, but rarely these days. And I will go for a cuppa and some carbs just to nudge it up. As you are plant based, and if you can, some cheese is ideal.
But you will probably work it out, through experience, trial and error, like I did.
I am a meat eater, so what works for me, has to be evaluated for you.
Proteins and good saturated fats, to satiate you.
And from others, it is more difficult being plant based.
I have found, tho it might not be the same for you, veg oils, other oils, and because of me being intolerant to dairy, butter maybe the best option for you. I only have fresh food, cooked at home. When I do go out to eat, I have to be so careful. How they cook and how it's prepped and with some salads have dressings and such.
Next your graphs. I do really think that it is compression lows. But, I have to praise your understanding of what happens to you, with carbs and sugars. I think you are doing well, control is important.
I fast overnight into the afternoon, then a window of very low carb until around four hours before bed.
I find fasting so beneficial (and a lot cheaper) which does stop me thinking about food.(obsessing)
I can go through the science of it all.
However, no carbs, no spikes, no overshoot of insulin, no hypos.
That is the simplest way to put it.
Keeping your BG levels in normal levels continuously, is so healthy and beneficial.
Keep asking, and tell us about your journey and how you got here.
Best wishes.
