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Tpe 2 cant get hypos?

lucylocket61

lucylocket61

Expert
Messages
6,394
Location
Wrexham
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I have a problem. My surgery says type 2 cant get hypos, but I get most of the hypo symptoms if I dont eat every 4 hours (except at night)

I go shaky, tremble, feel confused, my eyes blurr, my head hurt, I go cold, then hot, and I cant move, Which is why I went to the doctors in the first plave and ended up being diagnosed as type 2.

I take no medication, just control by diet.The Nurse I saw said it must be something else wrong with me and to tell the doctor next time I see him (in 2 1/2 months)

I dont know what to do.
 
What is your BG level?

It's far more likely that these are "false hypos", caused by your body reacting to lower blood glucose levels than you are used to. I'm afraid that they're just a consequence of getting your blood glucose under control. It's really a good thing - tough it out and you'll get used to having more normal BG levels in the future.

Anyone can get hypos - but unless you are on certain medications, then you aren't any more likely to get them than any regular person. On diet only, unless you've been over exercising or on an extended famine, then it really is quite unlikely.

You really need to get yourself a meter if you're not testing already. It's really tough to work out how you're doing judging by how you feel alone.
 
Hi Lucy,

There are controversial statements on this forum as to who can and cannot get a hypo.
I take no medication for my diabetes but have had the odd hypo where my levels have been in the threes. This is usually after exertion or waiting too long between meals. It can take a varying amount of time for a Type2 to feel better because the liver will eventually dump some glucose to compensate but we all respond differently. However long it takes, seconds, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, it is a very debilitating feeling.
It is not the same for everyone, others find they can function at this level and feel fine and will not buy into the fact that their levels are in hypo territory.

You do not say what your levels are when you feel like this and sometimes when newly diagnosed you will get all the symptoms but will find if you test that your levels are acceptable. Prior to diagnosis levels are higher than they should be and as your levels get lower your body reacts with hypo symptoms. This is known as a false hypo, your body is trying to get used to lower levels.

Keep a list of what your levels are when you feel like this as ammunition when you see your G.P. but if they are really low and keep occurring then you need to make an appointment and show him the proof.
 
lucylocket61 said:
I have a problem. My surgery says type 2 cant get hypos, but I get most of the hypo symptoms if I dont eat every 4 hours (except at night)

I go shaky, tremble, feel confused, my eyes blurr, my head hurt, I go cold, then hot, and I cant move, Which is why I went to the doctors in the first plave and ended up being diagnosed as type 2.

I take no medication, just control by diet.The Nurse I saw said it must be something else wrong with me and to tell the doctor next time I see him (in 2 1/2 months)

I dont know what to do.
Click to expand...

Interesting in that you had the symptoms before you were diagnosed as T2.

It is not usual for an undiagnosed T2 to have hypos unless they are really not eating - in which case almost anyone (if I understand it correctly) can have a hypo which is also known as "feeling faint from lack of food".

As others have said, you need to test when you have the symptoms so you know if it is a true (or even false) hypo.

Couple of things:

If you have this problem, does it clear if you have a hit of sugar or something sweet?

What are you usually doing immediately prior to this problem, and how long roughly since your last meal?

Cheers

LGC
 
It clears if I have something sweet like fruit juice or chocolate

It happens if I go without food for more than 4 hours in the day/evening.

It has been happening for about 2 years, slowly getting worse.

I was diagnosed type 2 about 3 weeks ago.
 
Lucy, I am pleased you have posted this. Although I am on Metformin now and again I feel faint, and get a horrible cold sweat and feel faint. I have never thought it could be a hypo, as I believed T2 couldn't get them. Next time I feel like that, I am going to test BG. So again, thank you for raising this, it may help others like me, who don't think T2 diabetics can get hypos.
 
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