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Craig McDonald

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I'm here to seek advice about my own ailments. I've done some Googling, but haven't found the answers I'm hoping to find.
I have Type 2 diabetes. The last time I had a blood test my sugar levels were low enough for me not to need medication, but I need to make changes to my diet.

My body has 2 ways of telling me that I'm doing something wrong:-
  • Incredibly dry mouth when I wake up
  • Night sweats which smell of pear drops
Searching for "diabetes pear drops" I get results about people's breath smelling of pear drops, but not the actual sweat.

I do my best to avoid any foods that have sugar in the ingredients, but sometimes things get through and my body complains. Or it might be due to carbohydrates?

Not the most appealing introduction I've given in a forum, but it is why I'm here. 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum
How long ago did you have your last blood test which I assume was an HbA1C as things can change quite quickly especially if you have got a bit lax with your carbohydrate intake, remember it is all carbs not just sugar which will increase blood glucose.
Dry mouth and thirst can indeed be an indication of high blood glucose.
Breath smelling of acetone can indicate ketones so it would be a good idea to get some ketone urine test strips which can be bought from the pharmacy.
If you have a home testing blood glucose monitor it would be a good idea to do a finger prick test to test your blood glucose. If you don't have a monitor then some pharmacies offer a service.

You should contact your GP to arrange to get your HbA1C blood test done again but if you feel unwell then seek medical advice pronto.
 
Ketones are produced in people who have diabetes because the body does not have sufficient insulin circulating to cope properly and if not tackled properly and got rid of as soon as possible, cause a thing called diabetic keto acidosis (DKA) - ie the blood becoming acidic and killing your internal organs ! Yes, this is very frightening and a real medical emergency, an absolute prime reason to dial 999 - so don't, please, be tempted to leave it and do nothing.
 
trophywench said:
Ketones are produced in people who have diabetes because the body does not have sufficient insulin circulating to cope properly and if not tackled properly and got rid of as soon as possible, cause a thing called diabetic keto acidosis (DKA) - ie the blood becoming acidic and killing your internal organs ! Yes, this is very frightening and a real medical emergency, an absolute prime reason to dial 999 - so don't, please, be tempted to leave it and do nothing.
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When you mention ketones (the pear drop smell) it isn't my breath. It is my sweat. I've only found references to the breath being affected, and nothing about the sweat being affected.

I've had this for months, now.
Leadinglights said:
Welcome to the forum
How long ago did you have your last blood test which I assume was an HbA1C as things can change quite quickly especially if you have got a bit lax with your carbohydrate intake, remember it is all carbs not just sugar which will increase blood glucose.
Dry mouth and thirst can indeed be an indication of high blood glucose.
Breath smelling of acetone can indicate ketones so it would be a good idea to get some ketone urine test strips which can be bought from the pharmacy.
If you have a home testing blood glucose monitor it would be a good idea to do a finger prick test to test your blood glucose. If you don't have a monitor then some pharmacies offer a service.

You should contact your GP to arrange to get your HbA1C blood test done again but if you feel unwell then seek medical advice pronto.
Click to expand...
No, it isn't my breath. That's specifically why I'm asking here, as Google couldn't help me.
 
Aah @Craig McDonald - I definitely think you need to consult at the very least a pharmacy if not your GP surgery, as soon as possible and get them to check your blood glucose (very quick fingerprick blood test) at the very least, because that is by no means 'normal' - I have no idea whatever whether men have a similar 'menopause' experience as they age when their male hormones start to decline whereas of course, a GP ought to know.

I've never heard anyone mention this, and I do regularly talk to blokes around various prostate probs with another of my hats on.
 
Craig McDonald said:
I'm here to seek advice about my own ailments.
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No one here can give advice, it’s against the rules. They can only give their own experience. For medical advice you need to see a doctor.
 
I agree with what has been said here.
Do a finger prick test to see what the levels are. If they are high seek medical advice.

High ketones can make sweat smell, just in the same way it makes the breath smell, as the body is releasing substances into the sweat:

www.healthline.com

10 Reasons Your Sweat Smells Like Vinegar

Here are 10 possible reasons your sweat smells like vinegar, what you can do about it, and how you can prevent sweat odors.
www.healthline.com www.healthline.com

Instead of glucose, the body then burns fat for energy, releasing metabolites, such as acetone, into sweat and your breath. Acetone odor is often perceived as sweet or fruity, but it can also carry a vinegar-like smell.
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I think this sounds quite worrying @Craig McDonald - and it would be good to get checked out as a matter of urgency.

Perhaps call NHS 111 and discuss your symptoms with them.

Acetone/pear drop smell could well indicate the presence of ketones which might need urgent attention. Are you feeling very thirsty (your dry mouth may indicate this)? Are you unusually tired of late? Have you lost any weight without meaning to?

Pharmacies can also sell you urine ketone strips (often about £5 for a pot of 50), which might be another way of checking if there are signs of potentially problematic ketones?

Let us know how you get on, and look after yourself
 
Hi Craig, did you get anywhere with this, I am in the same position, type 2, although I take metformin, every night I have night sweats which smell like pear drops. I don’t have any other symptoms of DKA and my blood sugars in the morning tend to be 6/7 ish
 
Wardjon31 said:
Hi Craig, did you get anywhere with this, I am in the same position, type 2, although I take metformin, every night I have night sweats which smell like pear drops. I don’t have any other symptoms of DKA and my blood sugars in the morning tend to be 6/7 ish
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If you'te a Type 2 you are more likely to suffer from HONK rather than DKA.
gpnotebook.com

Hyperosmolar non-ketotic hyperglycaemia – GPnotebook

An article from the diabetes and endocrinology section of GPnotebook: Hyperosmolar non-ketotic hyperglycaemia.
gpnotebook.com
 
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