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Should I be concerned?

L

Lemmon01

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Hi all, my name is Lauren, I joined up here because I'd really appreciate some advice.

OK, so a few months ago I went to my doctor with a skin infection, and my doctor mentioned that as I occasionally get them I could be pre-diabetic (I'm quite overweight). After some Googling (which I know is a bad idea!) I felt like I had some symptoms of type 2 diabetes, so I bought a home blood glucose monitoring system.

I used it for the first time today, and here are my results:

One test at 2pm - 52mg/dL

Second test at 4pm, two hours after eating - 89mg/dL.

Now, the test at 2pm I know is low blood sugar levels, but I'd had a very busy morning, had been rushing around a lot yet only had a tiny breakfast 5 hours before, so I was hungry - to the point of feeling a little shaky. I do get shaky sometimes, but it doesn't happen often at all and only if I really haven't eaten for a while.

My question is, looking at these readings, do I have a cause for concern? I'm guessing I don't have type 2 diabetes, but is my blood sugar too low? 89 doesn't seem much higher after a meal?

Sorry if there's not enough information here, I'm pretty new at this!

Thanks in advance
 
I've just converted your figures for those that use UK measures
So 52 is equivalent to 2.9 and 89 is 4.9mmol/l
For me, 2.9 would be very low and I would feel quite poorly on this.
I think you need to do some more testing in order to build up a fuller picture. Try measuring your fasting glucose first thing in the morning too.
You may also find it helpful to look at reactive hypoglycaemia - I used to struggle with this before becoming type 2 and my readings would swing about from high to low.
 


Hi Lauren,

The only way to be sure is to book an appointment with doctor for the nurse to have a fasting blood test early am, and then you will get an accurate level of your blood sugar level.
 
Hi @Lemmon01

If you're in the UK, your meter is set to the wrong units.

Blood glucose meters aren't for diagnostic purposes and have a margin of error. The best thing you can do is see your doctor for a proper blood test if you're concerned

As you say, 'Doctor Google' can mislead. Best avoided!
 
I'm wondering why your doctor would say you may be pre-diabetic but then did not do any tests?
 
OK, thanks everyone for your help, I'll book in with my doctor tomorrow. If I do have consistently low sugar levels, is this classified as type 1? Is it normal to suddenly get type 1 at my age (I'm 30)? I was honestly expecting with my weight issues to have high blood sugar levels, so this has thrown me a little. Sorry for my ignorance, I don't really know much about this.
 

No, diabetes of all types is high blood sugar

Let us know how your test at the doctors goes
 
Were your readings taken before and after meals? If not they mean very little. I would go back to your HCP and ask for the diagnostic tests (two HbA1c tests to confirm). Meanwhile, test before your first bite of food then two hours later. Keep a record of your readings plus the meal you ate and the time that you ate. Show these to your doctor who may decide to test you or not depending on your numbers.
Even if it turns out that you are neither Type 2 or pre diabetic it is a good idea to modify your carb intake and cut right down on sugar. Good luck.
 
It seems odd that you doctor would say that you could be pre-diabetic and then not test you or at least refer you. You don't seem to have read/Googled enough if you think low levels suggest Type 1. As @azure says, diabetes = high blood sugar levels not low. Frankly, I find your doctor's comment very strange. It would take a random test result of about 11mmols (ie.200 mg/dL) to be loosely diagnosed as diabetic. Even to be considered as a possible (so-called) pre-diabetic, a fasting level of more than 5.5mmols/c.100mg/dL would be required. While anything is possible, and you should certainly make sure your doctor tests you properly, it really doesn't on the face of it look like you are diabetic at all...still, that's just my opinion...and your doctor is the one who needs to get the finger out (probably literally) wit the kinds of levels you refer to. there could be well be reason other than blood sugar levels to be responsible for how you feel...and it is your doctor's job to eliminate things and identify the cause. Do let us know.
 
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