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Type 2 and doc says I cant have a hypo

moragm

Member
Messages
10
Location
Dundee, Scotland
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Rudeness, Tories, sprouts, cabbage, meat.
I've had diabetes for 27 years (first as gestational and then as type 2) and take metformin (500mg x 4 daily). Over the years I've had signs and symptoms of hypos but my GP insists that I can't get a hypo on metformin or as a type 2. Even taking my levels that can show 3-4mmol/L (less than 70mg/dl) and sometimes lower she says that it's not a hypo. I have shakes, headache, wiped out, feel like I'm walking through molasses, etc, etc . My diabetes care is done at my GP's and the only thing I go to the hospital for is my eye test. I've come to the professionals for their opinions so it's over to you all x
 
All I can say, is yes you can!
But usually metformin won't do it!
Are you on any other meds?

Anything under 3.5 I would consider a hypo, though some people can live really well with those readings.

Do you test pre meal, two hours after eating?
Have you ever tested after the two hour reading, say three hours or four hours?
 
My DN said that anyone, even non-diabetics, can have a hypo, it's part of normal life. I suppose if you run out of sugar from digging, running, jumping, riding, kicking a ball, hitting something with a bat, walking around etc. she's probably right. Every now and then people need sustenance and sometimes the liver will provide but if it's late or dealing with another problem then it's a good idea to eat.
 
Here is just one thing that can give you low blood sugar. I am not implying that it is the one that does it to you. I just want to demonstrate that you don't have to be on medication to go low.

  • Alcohol can cause your blood sugar to fall. If your blood sugar dips too low, you may experience fatigue, weakness, shakiness, mood disturbances and even seizures.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hangovers/basics/causes/con-20025464

and that's the link I got it from.

One day I will ask Professors Lustig and Feinman if fructose does the same but I don't need another smack round the head right now.
 
I do sometimes test but not always. I was very good about noting my levels but my GP said not to bother and wouldn't give me testing strips. T2 isn't "real" diabetes so I don't need to test as often as T1. If I do test when feeling shaky I've had it as low as 2.9.
 

Lol I wish!!! I honestly drink very rarely (xmas/birthday) and never to excess , don't smoke either, eat a varied and healthy diet (mostly) and walk my dogs!!
 
moragm said:
Lol I wish!!! I honestly drink very rarely (xmas/birthday) and never to excess , don't smoke either, eat a varied and healthy diet (mostly) and walk my dogs!!
Click to expand...
Don't misunderstand me. I just wanted to point out that hypo's are not the exclusive domain of the diabetic. Something else is obviously at work here.
 

If you are having readings of 2.9, you will probably have some form of hypoglycaemia but I can only guess!
Can you click on forums and scroll down to Reactive Hypoglycaemia and click on there. Sorry but my links aren't working.
See if anything comes to mind, then ask more questions.
 
Your doc is talking nonsense, and if you have recorded readings as low as 2.9 then youhave hypoed.

Simple as.

Sorry, but I have had docs telling me I don't hypo all my life, and they have been wrong, all my life, so this kind of thing sets my tail on fire.

As a type 2 who hypos you should, in an ideal world, have it investigated. Getting a doc to do so is often difficult or impossible. However, it is very often controllable by diet.

What do you eat?
When do you hypo?
Are your hypos a certain length of time after exercise, or food?
Do certain foods or situations set you up for hypos?

The more you understand it, the more you can fight it.
 
Hi. Yes, those are hypos and the doc is wrong. It's unlike you would go much lower and the liver dumps glucose for most of us to help, but at those levels it's a hypo. I get symptoms starting below 4.5.
 
Sounds like a hypo to me too.. Bearing in mind the meds your on "metformin", which I believe inhibits liver dump & increases insulin sensitivity..? Then I'd hazard a guess that's why the lows...
 
OMG, my advice......... get another doctor asap.
 

I'd suggest your doctor isn't a "real doctor" either if that's their way of thinking. I agree with @s.sollis - if you can possibly do so find yourself another doctor.

However most of us type 2s don't get prescribed test strips either and have to buy our own, but I'd imagine that going down that low might be a good reason to prescribe you some on a temporary basis to help find out what might be going on?

Robbity
 
@moragm If you really want one, go and have one if you really want!
(preferably in front of him!)
As many of us on here will tell you, people can have hypos on Met, or even on diet alone!
 
I also agree. A new gp is needed or a second opinion. If that is your source of diabetic medical care you're in trouble.
Change your diabetic team. Pronto!
Let us know how things improve.
 
I wouldn't believe your doc on this one as I had my very first hypo when I was on metformin alone. I was controlling my diabetes for 7 years on diet alone prior to that and never had a hypo. I only had a hypo when I started metformin. I walked into a wall as well as lost my balance. To this very day if I'm walking and I hypo I loose my balance, and pull to my left and I've walked into a few shelves and walls that way. Sometimes I can't feel my feet on the ground either.

I agree with others that you should seek a second opinion. From what you describe, you are having hypos. My endocrinologist has drummed into me often enough that you should never ignore a hypo and treat it. Eg. you wouldn't be fit to do anything risky in the state you describe. I have the same symptoms when I hypo too.
 
A friend of my is not diabetic eats loads, skinny as a rake, and very definitely hypos if he doesn't eat properly and at set times. I've known him for 35 years and he's always been the same. ANYBODY can hypo, I was taking Metformin only and managed to hypo once. I blamed it on the full afternoon of gardening and lawn mowing.
 
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