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type2 hypos?

G

ginger

Member
Messages
20
Location
United Kingdom
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi all,

I have been losing weight over the last year and I am now in the range they call over weight, not obese, as i had been for 15 yrs. Diagnosed in '95 with type 2 I was perscribed metformin and then, several years later, glicizide was added. Recently, probably because of weight loss, my blood sugar has been much better and I have stopped the glicazide. (When I was taking the Glicizide I was feeling odd - like I was having a hypo I presumed - I think I read this could be a side effect of the drug)

Well, having stopped taking the glicizide for several months now I have started having those hypo like feelings again. When I have eaten for a while and especially if I have been exerting myself.

If I can measure my blood at this time it is around 4 which I think is good? I have read that my body may not be used to these lower blood levels but how low is too low? Can I have true hypos just on metformin.

To rub salt in the wound I am almost 50 and could be experiencing menopausal symptoms too...

I guess I am wondering if I should embrace these odd, light headed, slightly queezy, feelings as a sign my blood is getting to normal or is it a worry.

I would be grateful for any advice, Ginger
 
My BG will without control happily swing from hyper to hypo in a few hours. Try doing some intensive testing say 1/2 hour, 1, 2 and 3 hours after you eat, see if it's going high then plunging low. Also be a good plan to check during and after exercise. Often taking better control of the highs will help stamp out the following lows.

It's often the case that your numbers improve over time, largely due to reduction in insulin resistance: you don't actually produce more insulin but it works better.

I can still function down to about 3.5, this was not always the case when I was still running high numbers, it takes time to reset the thermostat.

If in doubt try a small amount of fast carbs like glucose tabs or orange juice, the standard recommendation for a hypo is 15g carbs and test again after 15 minutes but this may overtreat for a Type 2, something like 5g fast carbs and some bread and cheese might work better.
 
HI Trinkwasser

Thanks for your advice. I have been monitoring my blood as you suggeted and I don't seem to be getting highs and then lows. My blood, in general, seems to be 1 or 2 units lower than it has been since I was diagnosed in '99. So in the mornings I use to be around 8 now I am coming up 6.5ish.

Do you know if blood sugar can get so low in type 2s to be harmful - like being too high is? I am happy to suffer odd feelings if this is just an adjustment period.

Cheer, Ginger
 
It's very rare for a T2, without the help of medication (like Gliclazide0 to have a low hypo. Gliclazide and some of the other insulin promoters will do it though. Metformin alone won't.
 
Thanks for your info hanadr.

Do you know if glicizide has a lasting effect. I did take it for a year or so. I have now stopped for about 3 months.

Would you know what too low would likely be? I am prepared to get my body readjusted but don't want to be anxious I am not in a good range.

Cheers, Ginger
 

It's possible your body is still not used to "normal" numbers and is panicking. That usually wears off over time.

But it might be something else like low blood pressure, or hormonal: I'd see no harm in getting yourself checked out.
 
You can safely go down to 4.( probably even as low as 2.5) Non-diabetics run at about 4.5 - 4.7. Hypo symptoms are caused by your system detecting a drop, Not in the absolute level.
 
Thanks for all the good advice.

Already I am having less hypo-like symptoms and when I do I they are milder and I am more relaxed about it.

Cheers,
Ginger
 
Dear Ginger
You are probably adjusting to the lower sugars, As you get used to your near normal level, the false hypo symptoms will vanish.
 
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