So tired

I bet you aren't having enough fats/oils it's important to replace the carbs with fat for energy
http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf

or it might still be carb flu
http://www.info.com.au/carb flu symptoms?cb=62&cmp=4387
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarb101/a/firstweek.htm


metformin will help with your BG, won't help with energy

Your post meal bloods are a bit high with a rise of 3.2mmol/l. I wonder why if you are not eating any major carbs? Maybe you are eating carbs in other foods that are spiking you? Fruit? Milk? Cereals? Peas? Baked beans?

Also, when you cut carbs you have to increase your fats and/or protein or you will have less energy and feel poorly. Have you done this?

CharlotteS said:

I switched on to low carb two weeks ago and now never have bread, potatoes, rice or pasta. Bloods are averaging 6.5 fasting, 5 pre meal and 8 2 hours after a meal. Lost a bit of weight but the problem is that I feel so listless, tired and lack concentration. sometimes feel a bit off balance too. Got an appointment to see DSN tomorrow so will tell her but apparently they want to put me on Metformin. Will this help me feel better cos I feel awful at the moment - no energy. Any thoughts? Thanks.

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@CharlotteS,

Can I suggest you give us an indication of exactly what you are eating, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and any snacks ?

I am sure someone more qualified than me who was only diagnosed in Mid May will come along with some tweaks, personally I have been following and LCHF management programme since beginning of June, currently down just over 2 and half stone, rarely feel hungry and BG levels in non diabetic range.

But I am still learning every day, and rely on my meter to give me an idea of what I can and can't tolerate.

Good luck, keep posting.

Sounds like a dose of 'low carb flu', I had it and it sounds like it isn't uncommon during the first week or so of low carbing.

Your body has become so used to carbs it is a bit like an addiction so when you reduce them you can go through a bad patch for a few days as your body tries to convince you to feed the addiction. Hold out and you will feel better in another week or so. A couple of months and you might find you feel better than you have in a long time, I certainly do, more energy, more with it, more get up and go, and far less likely to want to fall a sleep in the afternoon.

I agree with the others that the rise between pre and post meal reading seems a little high, its possible there are still hidden carbs in the meals, check labels, check carb counting sites and you might have a surprise which will lead to you being able to cut them further. Bread, potatoes, rice and pasta are the obvious ones, but milk, fruit, yogurts, sauces can all contain fairly large amounts or carbs so it is worth checking further. Alternatively leave specific items out of meals one by one and you might find the culprit by elimination.

Yes, sadly there is a lot of sugar in fruit and milk, so we do have to be careful. Bananas are just about the worst choice you can make as they release glucose virtually the second they are in your mouth (hence the reason why athletes can be seen nibbling at them during competitions). There is marginally less sugar in whole milk than the lower fat varieties, and you can buy lactose free versions (lactose is sugar). Until your levels are under control it is best to stick to just a few berries in yogurt or cream, and maybe half an apple eaten with a meal but not as a snack - but test this out with your meter. I can't see anything wrong with the rest of your choices.

Charlotte you could try a handful of almond nuts .
These will slow release a bit of extra energy for you .

Works a treat with myself .

Keep going Charlotte!! I've been doing lchf for 13 weeks now and feel so good! More energy, never hungry, decreasing levels and virtually two jeans sizes down already!! I've found I can tolerate an Apple with cheese and ham as a lunch at work, fat in the cheese stops the spike from the Apple

Yes, cut the bananas and keep going having adequate fats and proteins. If you are overweight, Metformin will help and has few side effects other than some people have bowel problems which needs the Slow Release (SR) version

Has this tiredness come on suddenly or is it that you have just become aware of it?

Here is a list of possible other causes of tiredness.

1. Underactive Thyroid
2. High blood sugars
3. Iron deficiency anaemia
4. Vitamin D deficiency
5. Vitamin B12 deficiency
6. Depression
7. Stress
8. Sleep Apnea
9. Not getting enough sleep or good quality sleep

CharlotteS said:

Thanks everyone for your advice. Usually I have full fat yoghurt with berries or sometimes eggs for breakfast. Meat and salad for lunch plus a banana and apple or sometimes a homemade veg soup. Dinner is usually meat and veg / salad. I don't tend to snack anymore and if I do I have cold meats, ham, salami etc. I thought this was pretty healthy but if fruits and milk are also full of carbs then I'm probably doing it wrong. I thought if I just cut out the obvious culprits I would feel better but not so far.

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you need fats/oils to replace the energy from carbs

High BG makes a lot of people feel tired
Test your blood after your meals. Test, test, test.
You need to understand what is happening to your body, understand what foods are having this effect, then eat according to the results.
Metformin in is very good stuff, but does not mean you do not need to test and get on top of your condition.

Hi. I felt a bit rubbish at first too. But make sure you are drinking enough. I'm told at least 2 and a half litres! It made a huge difference to my energy levels...I'm three weeks in to lchf and I'm on a steep learning curve too. Today for instance I got beefburgers from my local butchers. 97% meat ( they said). According to my meter they had carbs in as I tested higher than I was expecting. Next time I'm making my own! Hidden carbs in so much. Good luck and hope you feel raring to go very soon
Alie