Lower (not low) BG readings

supermouse35 · 11-06-2009, 09:40 PM

Hello all,

I'm new here. *waves* I've been diabetic for a few years now but have only recently emerged from the denial phase and decided it's time to work hard and get this beast under control. I'm currently on 4 mgs of glimepiride, I walk 30 minutes/day, and have just recently (about three weeks) started on a low-carb diet. So far I'm pleased with the results; my fasting BG is still higher than I'd like, but it comes down fairly quickly in the morning and by the time early evening rolls around it's in the 70-90 range.

I'm of two minds about this. On the one hand, it's satisfying to see this kind of result, but on the other hand I feel very jittery and cranky and sometimes very tired when it gets that low. I know technically it's not a hypo, but since my body is used to much higher BG levels it feels nasty, and I'm always paranoid I will slip into a real low if I don't do something about it. So at that point I usually take 1-2 glucose tablets and then I feel better. Should I be doing that? It's usually not too long before I'm going to have dinner, but since I'm not eating many (if any) carbs with dinner I'm afraid eating won't help stop me from going into a full-blown low.

Anyway, did anyone else go through this when you first started eating low carb? If so, how did you handle it?

Thanks in advance.

chiody · 11-07-2009, 12:27 AM

Your meter is crucial to relaying on the spot information. When weak, test and take appropriate action. Levels in the 70 range is close to a hypo and is a debatable situation for glucose tabs.

Please try to differentiate, "fat burning" from a true "shaking, sweats, and other symptoms," of a true hypo episode. Weakness and lack of energy, especially when exercising in the early stages of LCing, can be difficult at times. This will pass as your body becomes more accustomed though.

Remember though, if there are others around you, they should know what to do if you become unresponsive.......and have symptoms......

Griffen · 11-07-2009, 01:17 AM

Medications will often drop your sugars farther than they need to be once you go low-carb. Talk with your doctor about discontinuing your medication - you may not need it any more.

supermouse35 · 11-07-2009, 06:49 AM

Thank you both for your replies.

CookinsForMe · 11-07-2009, 08:24 AM

Welcome! I second what the others have said but want to ask how your BG is doing during the day, between fasting and early evening. Are the readings good? It does sound like you need to be patient and let your body adjust to the lower levels.

I think you'll enjoy this forum!

supermouse35 · 11-07-2009, 08:30 PM

They tend to vary, but usually run between 120 and 150, depending on how recently I've eaten.

And thanks for the welcome.

11-06-2009, 09:40 PM	#1
supermouse35 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: East coast, USA Posts: 13 Gallery: supermouse35 Stats: 295/257/150 WOE: Low carb Start Date: Started for real 10/15/09	Lower (not low) BG readings Hello all, I'm new here. waves I've been diabetic for a few years now but have only recently emerged from the denial phase and decided it's time to work hard and get this beast under control. I'm currently on 4 mgs of glimepiride, I walk 30 minutes/day, and have just recently (about three weeks) started on a low-carb diet. So far I'm pleased with the results; my fasting BG is still higher than I'd like, but it comes down fairly quickly in the morning and by the time early evening rolls around it's in the 70-90 range. I'm of two minds about this. On the one hand, it's satisfying to see this kind of result, but on the other hand I feel very jittery and cranky and sometimes very tired when it gets that low. I know technically it's not a hypo, but since my body is used to much higher BG levels it feels nasty, and I'm always paranoid I will slip into a real low if I don't do something about it. So at that point I usually take 1-2 glucose tablets and then I feel better. Should I be doing that? It's usually not too long before I'm going to have dinner, but since I'm not eating many (if any) carbs with dinner I'm afraid eating won't help stop me from going into a full-blown low. Anyway, did anyone else go through this when you first started eating low carb? If so, how did you handle it? Thanks in advance.

11-07-2009, 12:27 AM	#2
chiody Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chicago, IL - (I'M TOP LEFT) Posts: 428 Gallery: chiody Stats: 225/157/165 6'0" T2Diabetes 20+yrs. NO MEDS 19+yrs WOE: VLC Bernstein inspired HbA1C 5.7 9/09 Start Date: 10/2008 (PRIOR 19+yrs. high carb/low sat. fat)	Your meter is crucial to relaying on the spot information. When weak, test and take appropriate action. Levels in the 70 range is close to a hypo and is a debatable situation for glucose tabs. Please try to differentiate, "fat burning" from a true "shaking, sweats, and other symptoms," of a true hypo episode. Weakness and lack of energy, especially when exercising in the early stages of LCing, can be difficult at times. This will pass as your body becomes more accustomed though. Remember though, if there are others around you, they should know what to do if you become unresponsive.......and have symptoms...... __________________ How I arrived at VLCing and my saga with Type II Diabetes: http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/ma...rspective.html Before/After Pics 1 yr. apart (225 lbs. vs. 165 lbs.) http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/ma...l#post12757682

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11-07-2009, 01:17 AM	#3
Griffen Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 156 Gallery: Griffen Stats: 397/347/220 WOE: Primal/Protein Power/Atkins Start Date: August 2009	Medications will often drop your sugars farther than they need to be once you go low-carb. Talk with your doctor about discontinuing your medication - you may not need it any more.

11-07-2009, 06:49 AM	#4
supermouse35 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: East coast, USA Posts: 13 Gallery: supermouse35 Stats: 295/257/150 WOE: Low carb Start Date: Started for real 10/15/09	Thank you both for your replies.

11-07-2009, 08:24 AM	#5
CookinsForMe Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Northeast Texas Posts: 819 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: CookinsForMe Stats: 188.8/171.2/140 WOE: Lower carb, moderate fat, & workouts 6 days a week Start Date: 6/24/09 for the umpteenth time.	Welcome! I second what the others have said but want to ask how your BG is doing during the day, between fasting and early evening. Are the readings good? It does sound like you need to be patient and let your body adjust to the lower levels. I think you'll enjoy this forum!

11-07-2009, 08:30 PM	#6
supermouse35 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: East coast, USA Posts: 13 Gallery: supermouse35 Stats: 295/257/150 WOE: Low carb Start Date: Started for real 10/15/09	They tend to vary, but usually run between 120 and 150, depending on how recently I've eaten. And thanks for the welcome.