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Very low blood sugar reading

Patrick66 said:
Really ?.

I have reflected on potential causes of whatever this was and expressed a view based on knowing myself and what I have eaten or done in the last 48-72 hours.

Don't tell me I am "really not taking this seriously enough". If I hadn't thought it serious I would not have posted on here!.

But I now regret that I did!.
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The thing is, well... Okay, normally when you hit a 1.7 you're just about headed to the hospital. Probably comatose, possibly dying. So yeah, numbers like that scare us when we read about someone having them. But it took hours for you to eat that cupcake, (assuming your liver didn't compensate due to metformin, it would've dropped even lower in that time) and after a reading like that you didn't bring your meter.... That's pretty incomprehensible for most people here. Hypo's can kill. And we're just scared a little, hearing how low you went.

So, I'm going from the assumption that the meter or the strips is off. Because I don't *think* you can develop hypo-unawareness this fast, (and that is a thing) and you would've hit the floor face-first with such numbers, if they were correct. So I'm glad you posted about it, because something about the meter is probably off. The meter itself, the strips, whatever, but it's not a reliable thing. And that's good to know, right?
 
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@Patrick66 please don't think we are criticising you, we are only concerned. In an earlier post you seemed to express doubt it was a hypo. Given that the worst outcome of a hypo is coma, seizures and death and we rather like having you around, a bunch of us gave you advice.

I know you're feeling lousy, I wish I could offer you some advice. Unfortunately, your conditions are outside my experience. I would probably make you feel worse.

I hope you start to feel better soon. xxx
 
lovinglife said:
Totally agree I've noticed this with my ASD son - he likes a very strict timetable for meals - on a couple of occasions when he's gone past even by an hour he has all the symptoms of hypo - a drink of juice and a biscuit sorts it. Also after a meltdown it can present as well. Don't test him though to be honest as he has a needle phobia and trying to stick a sharp in him would make the situation 100 times worse
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WOW Thank you, I hadnt thought of the post-meltdown shakes being low blood sugar related maybe. My son also has a needle phobia.

Now you have me thinking - he has more meltdowns (peaceful ones of frustrated stimming or cant talk, he doesnt have angry/violent ones) if he is hungry, but he finds it hard to identify when he is hungry. Good ideas, very useful.
 
Guzzler said:
A reading of 1.7 is dangerous. I have never had such a low reading but if I thought I was approaching a 3.0 I would be seeking help and it wouldn't be over the internet it would mean a 111 or if I felt unwell a 999 call.
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Well, in fairness, I haven't felt unwell more than I am always unwell so I wouldn't call 999. I thought about calling 111 but there's plenty of online advice about hypoglycaemia so I ate sugary foods, drank a sugary drink and there was no discernible difference in how I felt.
I had no sweating, heart palpitations or anything like that. I'd had a very bad night so felt a bit weary, that was it. I apologise if you think my approach to this strange, I am Autistic, we don't react as people expect us to. Sorry.
 
Patrick66 said:
Really ?.

I have reflected on potential causes of whatever this was and expressed a view based on knowing myself and what I have eaten or done in the last 48-72 hours.

Don't tell me I am "really not taking this seriously enough". If I hadn't thought it serious I would not have posted on here!.

But I now regret that I did!.
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I want to thank you for posting on here. Your information has helped to highlight possible issue connecting my sons blood sugar levels and his meltdowns. All knowledge of this sort is helpful. It may be that people with AS dont have their liver kick in as quickly, so they drop further than they should.

I know that I have hypos and sometimes faint, even though i am a type 2 on no meds. We are all different.
 
Patrick66 said:
Well, in fairness, I haven't felt unwell more than I am always unwell so I wouldn't call 999. I thought about calling 111 but there's plenty of online advice about hypoglycaemia so I ate sugary foods, drank a sugary drink and there was no discernible difference in how I felt.
I had no sweating, heart palpitations or anything like that. I'd had a very bad night so felt a bit weary, that was it. I apologise if you think my approach to this strange, I am Autistic, we don't react as people expect us to. Sorry.
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There is no need to apologise. I was concerned that you were unaware of the dangers, that is all. I hope that you do not have another of these episodes but if you should then please, seek advice from a professional.
 
Guzzler said:
A reading of 1.7 is dangerous. I have never had such a low reading but if I thought I was approaching a 3.0 I would be seeking help and it wouldn't be over the internet it would mean a 111 or if I felt unwell a 999 call.
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apart from feeling shaky and weak, my son had no other hypo symptoms when he was 2.1 The doctor only checked his bloods as part of a wider checking process.

I go under 2.5 at least twice a month, again, I get shaky, feel like the energy has drained out of me, and used to sometimes faint as well until I worked out, with help from here, what was going on and take glucotabs around with me. Although sometimes i still faint.

Maybe the occasional low in a type 2 is different for some of us than with a type 1? Or there is a subset of type 2's with a different response?

either way, a GP needs to be involved in the diagnosis and treatment of them. Mind did not believe me until it happened in the surgery while I was waiting to be seen and I passed out.
 
lucylocket61 said:
apart from feeling shaky and weak, my son had no other hypo symptoms when he was 2.1 The doctor only checked his bloods as part of a wider checking process.

I go under 2.5 at least twice a month, again, I get shaky, feel like the energy has drained out of me, and used to sometimes faint as well until I worked out, with help from here, what was going on and take glucotabs around with me. Although sometimes i still faint.

Maybe the occasional low in a type 2 is different for some of us than with a type 1? Or there is a subset of type 2's with a different response?

either way, a GP needs to be involved in the diagnosis and treatment of them. Mind did not believe me until it happened in the surgery while I was waiting to be seen and I passed out.
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But this is why I said to seek medical advice.
 
My work colleague, a lifelong Type 1 always carried around a sweet biscuit (handbag) typically wrapped, you know the type they dish out in coffee bars etc. For whenever she felt the need. Somehow she could sense when, it seemed 2nd nature to her.
 
Patrick66 said:
1.7 then re-tested and my machine said "LO"...no problem with the monitor as its virtually brand new.

So..what do I do ?.

I am at work. Salad and two sausages in the fridge.

Cupcakes in the kitchen..

Do I just let things go and see what happens, or should I have something sugary ?.

Advice please.
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Apple juice raises levels quickly
 
@Patrick66 - did you wash, and dry your hands between the 1.7 test and the lo?

The reason I ask is you told me you tested at 07:45 at 1.7, then it was 09:45 when you had the cupcake? At 09:45 you couldn't retest because you didn't have your meter with you.

I must say, in my observation of the forums I can't say I've noticed (doesn't mean it doesn't happen) anyone being 1.7, doing nothing for a couple of hours before considering a sweet thing.

To stress; I'm not suggesting anything deliberately untoward on your part. I'm just wondering if it could have been a rogue reading, maybe due to damp hands, hand cream, hand sanitiser or something.
 
Sorry in a rush - maybe reactive hypoglycaemia - that used to give me bad hypos for years before i got type 2
 
DCUKMod said:
@Patrick66 - did you wash, and dry your hands between the 1.7 test and the lo?

The reason I ask is you told me you tested at 07:45 at 1.7, then it was 09:45 when you had the cupcake? At 09:45 you couldn't retest because you didn't have your meter with you.

I must say, in my observation of the forums I can't say I've noticed (doesn't mean it doesn't happen) anyone being 1.7, doing nothing for a couple of hours before considering a sweet thing.

To stress; I'm not suggesting anything deliberately untoward on your part. I'm just wondering if it could have been a rogue reading, maybe due to damp hands, hand cream, hand sanitiser or something.
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Anything is possible. I washed my hands before I tested. Blood flow was very slow but after the 1.7 I tried another finger.

Actually I ate some strawberries after the LO reading, just remembered I found them in the fridge.

Then work and the cupcake.
 
Update :

I have checked my monitor. Battery fine and test readings fine.

Medical advice taken. Doctor said I did okay by eating strawberries (forgot I’d found them in our fridge) but should have had a cuppa with real sugar in it. (Didn’t occur to me as was doing partners breakfast..) - must try to eat more carbs but understands my limitations with food. Now have bag of mini chocolate eggs to carry round with me.
 
Patrick66 said:
Update :

I have checked my monitor. Battery fine and test readings fine.

Medical advice taken. Doctor said I did okay by eating strawberries (forgot I’d found them in our fridge) but should have had a cuppa with real sugar in it. (Didn’t occur to me as was doing partners breakfast..) - must try to eat more carbs but understands my limitations with food. Now have bag of mini chocolate eggs to carry round with me.
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Did I miss something? @Patrick66 are you on insulin to be able to take all these carbs?
 
So glad you have spoken with your doctor. Don't be tempted by those mini eggs and don't forget to take your meter to work
 
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