BS level, what’s the lowest before bed ?

[Gail60]

Hi

I’m new to controlling my BS levels with insulin. Until recently my levels ran into the late 20s early 30s before bedtime. My DN has upped my insulin bringing my numbers down. I have just taken my blood test to check and I am 7.8 -shock (in a good way) I’m now scared that as it’s so low now is it safe to sleep? I’ve just taken 50 units of Levamir,will I go hypo? I sleep alone so I’m worried that I will sleep through a hypo and maybe not wake up. My level went down to 3.8 yesterday but I didnt notice any difference to how I felt. I know this probably sounds silly but I’m really scared, can anybody advise please.

Hopefully I’m posting in the right place

 

[leonS]

Not too low!

Good chance that hypo would wake you in any case. The body's response to low sugar will tend to raise a low blood sugar level back to safe levels (and sometimes high ones after a hypo).

Sweet (low carb?) dreams

 

[Gail60]

Thanks for the reply. It certainly reassured me enough to sleep.


Well I survived the night - no hypo. On waking my reading is 11.6 .....

How bizarre.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Your levemir will probably need adjusting through the course of the year. It should be sufficient to hold your BG roughly level overnight. Within 2mmol/L up or down from where you started is often though of as level enough.

Your nurse will be able to advise you on when and how to adjust your dose - but if you are unsure you can set an alarm every 2-3 hours overnight and wake to check BG to get an idea of what’s happening. It’s a bit of a pain, but well worth it.

Some people get the glucose boost that @leonS describes, but you can’t rely on it as this response can fade or disappear if it happens too often (eg over years of insulin use). I’ve been using insulin for nearly 30 years and rarely wake if I drop low overnight any more, and my sensor traces show I can stay low for hours.

 

[leonS]

Absolutely agree - I thought it most important to offer reassurance, and give you the opportunity of a good night's sleep. If anyone thinks that the treatment can be right first time they are wrong. Eventually you will be able to set your own treatment, but for now be guided by your team.

An acceptable BS level is a matter for your care team - a question for you to ask. Say 4 to 10 mmol/L might be a start. You should also ask about what to do if it is outside the range that they set.

I have been on insulin for 45 years, and don't get any indications of a low - ever.

Now consider this statement:
"If you use the set amount of medication as instructed, and follow the diet that you have been given your blood sugar results will be predictable, and satisfactory."

If you believe that this is true you are probably a doctor. If you know that it is false you are a diabetic. If you have no clue what it is about you are not diabetic and have nothing to worry about.

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

I was told to aim for about 8 at bedtime, to allow for blood sugar going down a bit overnight, so 7.8 is spot on.

It often goes up in the morning, so the 11.6 in the morning is not a big surprise. Did you test absolutely first thing (before getting up), or is that waking reading actually an after getting up and using the bathroom reading? If the latter, it's worth trying testing sooner, as it's surprising how much blood sugar can go up between waking up and having breakfast, as your body pumps out its stored glucose ready for the day ahead.