I was diagnosed with T2 in February and have cut back almost everything in accordance with the NHS instructions to reduce salt, fat and carbohydrate. I'm also vegetarian. This means my diet is mostly limited to vegetables (and mostly those with low carbs but includes legumes), Quorn and low fat, low sugar yoghurt. I was fine with this but over the last week I started to feel thirsty again. When I tested my blood first thing it was 5.4 which is high for me in a morning it's usually 4.4. I am on the lowest dose of Metformin - a slow release 500mg which the doctor said he wasn't sure I needed but the diabetic nurse was pretty insistent as she seemed to think it was a good idea because she didn't want me to test my blood (not that I obeyed her on that one - I do it when I think I need to). Could my diabetes be worsening already? Would I get a thirst at 5.4 (seems unlikely as I've been that high after eating). I will do a post-perandial test in an hour or 2. I don't remember the thirst being continuous before but since yesterday it has been.
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Type 2 Thirst is back
- Thread starter GalaxyLiz
- Start Date
kaylz91
Well-Known Member
5.4 may be high for you but in someone with diabetes its not classed as high at all, I would say you shouldn't get thirsty just because of a reading of 5.4 hopefully someone more experienced will be along to comment soon 
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Deleted Account
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I agre with the other replies, your meter readings are not showing anything diabetes related to cause your thirst.
I would say 5.4 is not only good for someone with diabetes; I would say within the error ranges of a yip all meter, they are normal for someone without.
I would say 5.4 is not only good for someone with diabetes; I would say within the error ranges of a yip all meter, they are normal for someone without.
donnellysdogs
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Have a look at side effects of any meds you are on and see whether they list thirst as a side effect...
Are you just testing your blood glucose once a day, in the mornings?
Ideally, to spot any high readings you could test before eating and then 2 hours afterwards. That will show if your blood glucose is high after meals.
Just testing in the mornings before breakfast will tell you if you are high then, but it won't tell you about the rest of the day.
The reason we get thirsty with diabetes is usually because our glucose goes so high that it triggers a response from the kidneys. They try to remove the excess glucose by removing it via the urine, and in order to do so, they take fluid from the blood. This makes us thirsty in order to replenish the liquid.
This mechanism is usually triggered at around the 10-11mmol/l blood glucose level, although it varies a little between individuals.
So if you are getting a diabetes thirst, I would suggest that your meals may be spiking you higher than you think.
On the other hand, if your blood glucose stays low, and you are not spiking to 10 or above, then your thirst may be being caused by something else. Food seasonings? Hot weather? Exercise? Monosodium glutamate always makes me insanely thirsty, and sometimes I haven't got a clue I have eaten any, until the thirst strikes.
I would suggest doing some testing around meals, which will inform your next step - adjust diet, or go see your doc for further investigation.
Hope this helps.
Ideally, to spot any high readings you could test before eating and then 2 hours afterwards. That will show if your blood glucose is high after meals.
Just testing in the mornings before breakfast will tell you if you are high then, but it won't tell you about the rest of the day.
The reason we get thirsty with diabetes is usually because our glucose goes so high that it triggers a response from the kidneys. They try to remove the excess glucose by removing it via the urine, and in order to do so, they take fluid from the blood. This makes us thirsty in order to replenish the liquid.
This mechanism is usually triggered at around the 10-11mmol/l blood glucose level, although it varies a little between individuals.
So if you are getting a diabetes thirst, I would suggest that your meals may be spiking you higher than you think.
On the other hand, if your blood glucose stays low, and you are not spiking to 10 or above, then your thirst may be being caused by something else. Food seasonings? Hot weather? Exercise? Monosodium glutamate always makes me insanely thirsty, and sometimes I haven't got a clue I have eaten any, until the thirst strikes.
I would suggest doing some testing around meals, which will inform your next step - adjust diet, or go see your doc for further investigation.
Hope this helps.
Bluetit1802
Legend
Could it be something as simple as dehydration? If you aren't drinking plenty of water on a low carb diet you will be dehydrated - and therefore thirsty.
pavlosn
Well-Known Member
I suppose if not only the thirst has come back but also the frequent visits to the toilet then we can discount dehydration, otherwise that may well be the answer
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