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RH and Professional Driving

D

DEM1988

Active Member
Messages
25
Type of diabetes
Reactive hypoglycemia
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi,

I've just recently been diagnosed with Reactive Hypoglycaemia.

I lost my job as a Bus Driver last year when my doctor told me to stop driving. I got my licence back in June 2024 including my HGV and Bus categories and the DVLA has okayed me to drive professionally.

I'm wanting to get back to work but I'm unable to maintain a blood glucose level above 5mmol for more than 60 minutes. I've been told that I have to be 5mmol to drive but don't know how this works in practice e.g. I check my glucose levels before driving and I'm 5.6mmol but after an hour's driving I can be 4.4mmol.

Do you have to maintain blood glucose above 5mmol constantly or is it a case of checking every 2 hours and eating something to bring the glucose levels above 5mmol before driving again?

Many thanks,
Dave
 
I can’t answer your question but I’ll tag one of our members @Lamont D who has RH and is very knowledgeable, they may be able to help you
 
DEM1988 said:
Hi,

I've just recently been diagnosed with Reactive Hypoglycaemia.

I lost my job as a Bus Driver last year when my doctor told me to stop driving. I got my licence back in June 2024 including my HGV and Bus categories and the DVLA has okayed me to drive professionally.

I'm wanting to get back to work but I'm unable to maintain a blood glucose level above 5mmol for more than 60 minutes. I've been told that I have to be 5mmol to drive but don't know how this works in practice e.g. I check my glucose levels before driving and I'm 5.6mmol but after an hour's driving I can be 4.4mmol.

Do you have to maintain blood glucose above 5mmol constantly or is it a case of checking every 2 hours and eating something to bring the glucose levels above 5mmol before driving again?

Many thanks,
Dave
Click to expand...

No.. the advice is don’t start to drive unless you bg is 5 or above

You are not considered clinically hypo until under 4 at which point that’s illegal to drive
 
DEM1988 said:
Hi,

I've just recently been diagnosed with Reactive Hypoglycaemia.

I lost my job as a Bus Driver last year when my doctor told me to stop driving. I got my licence back in June 2024 including my HGV and Bus categories and the DVLA has okayed me to drive professionally.

I'm wanting to get back to work but I'm unable to maintain a blood glucose level above 5mmol for more than 60 minutes. I've been told that I have to be 5mmol to drive but don't know how this works in practice e.g. I check my glucose levels before driving and I'm 5.6mmol but after an hour's driving I can be 4.4mmol.

Do you have to maintain blood glucose above 5mmol constantly or is it a case of checking every 2 hours and eating something to bring the glucose levels above 5mmol before driving again?

Many thanks,
Dave
Click to expand...
Further to the posts above.
I was told not to drive or be in charge of machinery. By my endocrinologist.
I'm not certain of the rules but you shouldn't drive really anywhere near a hypo.
It is sensible to check before.

I will ask further questions about your diagnosis later.
But because, if you do have RH, then it is food (carbs and sugars) related.
For instance. You will not have control of your blood glucose levels if you have carbs before work.
Wether you have a spike or later with a hypo.

My experience, to have steady BG levels, first thing, as I did travel around before I retired. Though not driving.
Was to eat something carb free, say , a couple of boiled eggs, which is a great to have any time and doesn't trigger the reaction. Cheese, or something like that is the best. Whilst driving, carb free food.
With RH, you start the day, in normal levels, cos you haven't had carbs for over ten to twelve hours, your BG levels stabilise whilst asleep, or use intermittent fasting to keep your BG levels in or around normal levels which won't trigger the reactive part of the condition.
I will ask if you have non diabetic fasting and hba1c levels?
Because that is critical in understanding what happens to you.
Staying in or around normal levels, (again) is the way to get back driving, cos you will not go hypo,
Can I ask what tests you have had for diagnosis?
Have you an endocrinologist?
What dietary advice have you had?
Have you any other conditions?
On any meds?

I think that will do.

Welcome to our forum @DEM1988
 
I'm an idiot!
Didn't realise that I had already asked those questions.
Doh!
Never mind.
 
Thanks for the information, I will have to discuss my predicament with my Endocrinologist to see if I should return to work as a professional driver or look for an alternative career.
 
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