Jelly baby/ hypo question.

[eggyg]

On the way home yesterday after a 6 mile walk in the sun, I got the familiar extreme hunger pangs, so much it actually hurts and was very, very sweaty and so tested as soon as I got home. 4.1. Didn’t know whether I was going down fast or not so ate two jelly babies and a hard boiled egg to try and appease the hunger without having to eat more carbs. Half an hour later I checked and I was 7.1! Does that sound about right for just two JBs?
Good job I didn’t stuff my face with carb laden goodies! I’m not a hypo expert as, luckily, it’s not something that happens very often but when it does it is almost always after strenuous walking in the heat. I had the exact amount of bolus for lunch, no guesstimating and it was only four hours since I’d eaten.

 

[Inka]

I wouldn’t think two JBs would put your blood sugar up that much. Perhaps it was already going up a bit? I sometimes find I’m low at the end of exercise, but then my blood sugar starts rising. I presume it’s the exercise that does this.

 

[mikeyB]

I agree with @Inka , without a Libre to guide you as to which direction your BG was going, 2JBs may well put you up to 7. Rather oddly, the time of day affects my JB need to correct a hypo. Need more in the morning. So at night, I would only use 2 to correct a 4.1. Everybody is different, and 3c punters are even more different.

 

[trophywench]

Well 2 JBs = 12g carb, so my BG would increase by approx 3.3 (10g CHO = 3.0 increase in carb, 1u insulin reduces BG by 3.0 - obviously not exactly or always, but there are thereabouts) Plus, the lasting effect of the exercise would help your BG not zoom upwards into the stratosphere and keep it level for longer than if you hadn't had a walk.

Looks like you got it absolutely right in the particular circumstances at the time, to me. I'd be extremely pleased with myself !

 

[Lanny]

Well, I once JUST slipped into a hypo at the hosp. diabetic review, the extra stress always seems to affect my BS up & down the whole day, at BS 3.8 & just had 1 JB when dietician finally called me in after a long delay. I mentioned the hypo & JB & said I was about to eat a protein bar as well. She said that’s too slow & got me a cup of water & 2 ginger nuts. 15 minutes later BS 6.8. So, fast but, it was only JUST a hypo & I headed it off completely as I didn’t feel a thing! So, it dosen’t surprise me & your’s is not much higher than I went after heading off the hypo!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Well judged @eggyg *applause*

Hypo treatment can be a bit more art than science in my experience, but you fully deserved the right to stand on the nearest table and shout, “I am a blood glucose GENIUS!!!” at the top of your voice. So well done and a big pat on the back

For future refence I gather that it can speed the absorption of the rapid carb element if you can bear to delay eating anything else for 10-15 minutes, so that the rapid carbs don’t get all mixed with anything else in the stomach (though this may be a myth). It also pays to chew JBs slowly and almost hold them in the mouth for a minite or two, because saliva begins the digestion process immediately, and I gather cheek walls can receive glucose directly.

 

[eggyg]

Well judged @eggyg *applause*

Hypo treatment can be a bit more art than science in my experience, but you fully deserved the right to stand on the nearest table and shout, “I am a blood glucose GENIUS!!!” at the top of your voice. So well done and a big pat on the back

For future refence I gather that it can speed the absorption of the rapid carb element if you can bear to delay eating anything else for 10-15 minutes, so that the rapid carbs don’t get all mixed with anything else in the stomach (though this may be a myth). It also pays to chew JBs slowly and almost hold them in the mouth for a minite or two, because saliva begins the digestion process immediately, and I gather cheek walls can receive glucose directly.

Funnily enough re chewing JBs, on a thread the other day that was mentioned. Jenny maybe? I’m not a jelly baby lover so would normally just bite the head off and swallow it but I remembered this advice and gave them a very careful chew. Not pleasant for me but it obviously worked. I’m hoping not to have to repeat the performance anytime soon but we are going Wainwright bagging again this week and that’s sure fire hypo city!

 

[eggyg]

😉

I agree with @Inka , without a Libre to guide you as to which direction your BG was going, 2JBs may well put you up to 7. Rather oddly, the time of day affects my JB need to correct a hypo. Need more in the morning. So at night, I would only use 2 to correct a 4.1. Everybody is different, and 3c punters are even more different.

And don’t I know it Mike!

 

[eggyg]

Well 2 JBs = 12g carb, so my BG would increase by approx 3.3 (10g CHO = 3.0 increase in carb, 1u insulin reduces BG by 3.0 - obviously not exactly or always, but there are thereabouts) Plus, the lasting effect of the exercise would help your BG not zoom upwards into the stratosphere and keep it level for longer than if you hadn't had a walk.

Looks like you got it absolutely right in the particular circumstances at the time, to me. I'd be extremely pleased with myself !

Thanks Jenny.

I wouldn’t think two JBs would put your blood sugar up that much. Perhaps it was already going up a bit? I sometimes find I’m low at the end of exercise, but then my blood sugar starts rising. I presume it’s the exercise that does this.

I find exercise really difficult to plan for. Last week I went fell walking, quite a high fell and was out for 10 hours, I couldn’t keep my BGs up, I was sick of eating in the end. In hindsight I probably should have reduced my morning Levimir but as we all know hindsight is a wonderful thing!