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Confused.

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H

hemase

Active Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Last week I had a doctors appointment for a non diabetes related issue. It was with a different GP than I normally see. I happened to mention that the day before I thought I had had my first Hypo. I had been faint, light headed and very tired. Testing my blood gave me a level of 4.0, the lowest it has ever been recorded at.
He gave me a puzzled look and told me that Type 2'ers do not have hypo's. He said that 4.0 is a good number for me and self testing is pointless. This has left me confused.
Just the week before the diabetes nurse asked me if I had suffered with an hypo and what my levels were. He told me that she was wrong to do this and apologised for the surgery.
Reading posts on this site I have seen Type2'ers discussing their various hypos. Which info should I be listening to? The GP, the diabetes nurse or the people on here who are actually living it?
Help?
 
Are you treated with tablets or insulin, if so then you can certainly have hypos (less common on tablets but not impossible).
As for self testing, that can be a huge debate with type 2s, the consensus however tends to fall down on the side of, if you're doing something with the results (changin medication, learning what different foods do to you etc) then it can be of huge benefit.
 
Hi Hemase
I am a type 2 and I have hypo's regually (everyday if I miss lunch or have it late) my levels go down to 2.1 to 2.9 so yes it is possible to have hypo's.
What my DN told me is that if my reading goes down below 3 then you are having a hypo, maybe it was a warning that your sugars are going low and you need to have a snack or something. Hope you feel better soon.
________
NEVADA MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES
 
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Thanks guys for the helpful comments. I am treated with Metformin at the moment. I believe I have suffered with a hypo as I certainly never felt that way before the diabetes.
 
As you have only recently started on metformin tablets to lower your blood glucose levels, your body will have been used to higher levels, and will feel "hypo" when yoru levels are lower than what you're used to, not necessarily below 4 mmol/l. Metformin is considered not to give hypos, while all other oral hypoglycaemia agents (tablets to reduce blood glucose levels) are considered to cause hypos, but less often or seriously than insulin. So, after a while, your bodt will get used to more normal levels, and you shouldn't get any feelings of hypoglycaemia.
 
I have been on the Metformin since October last year. I hope I'm use to it by now. I was diagnosed in September but have only suffered the one Hypo as far as I know. I have recently changed shift patterns and now do 12 hours on alternating days and nights. It was during a night shift the hypo occurred.
 
I agree with Copepod. As far as I know if you are only taking Metformin to control your diabetes then you cannot go hypo.

I had a look at page 195 in Diabetes for Dummies 2nd Ed. It says:

"The following are drug interactions involving Metformin:

When Metformin is given in combination with the sulphonylureas, hypoglycaemia can occur. If persistent,the dose of sulphonylurea is reduced. By itself, however, Metformin does not cause hypoglycaemia."
 
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I would just like to point out that, whilst unusual, it is possible for non-diabetics to have hypos, although it's usually due to extreme physical exertion (e.g. Paula Radcliffe, Ran Fiennes). As has been said, if your body is used to being around 8.x then a dip to 5 or less can also feel hypo as your brain detects that the levels have dropped lower than 'normal'. Plus, hunger can also make you feel light-headed, possibly a bit panicky, which also feels a bit like a hypo.
 
It is not impossible for a type 2 on tablets to have a hypo, but is less common.

While 4 is a good number, if your levels have been quite high and you dropped quickly you will get the symptoms of a hypo. I was getting it at around 5 because I had been high for so long.

The advice given to me by the DSN when I finally got to see her was eat regular meals. Because I am up around 5am and have early breakfast before going to work I need to eat again around 9-9.30. Check the numbers regulalry as this will help you see which foods affect you most. Even if you are ill you need to try to eat something as the tablets work better with food. It is OK to have a bar of chocolate from time to time as a treat and generally keep an eye on things.

If you can see the nurse, she probably knows more about it than the doctor.
 
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