My partner has Type 2 Diabetes and recently went to see the doctor due to a very bad spell. His doctor has also diagnosed him as being hypoglycemia intolerant, basically his body has become used to very high blood sugar levels for such a long time that his body can not tolerate what would be a normal blood sugar level for most other people. When his blood sugar levels get anywhere near a normal level, his body can not tolerate it and he quickly becomes lethargic to the point he can't talk, walk or even stay awake. His doctor has told him he has got to lose weight and put up with feeling like this until his body learns to tolerate normal blood sugar levels. He has put him on slow-release metformin as he believes this will work better for him than the normal metformin but I don't know what to do to get the weight off him. Since he has been with me (2 years), his diet has considerably improved and now that we live in Cyprus, even more so. We eat a hell of a lot of salad and fresh food so nothing processed and I almost always make everything fresh as I always have so I know there is no sugar in anything but the weight still does not seem to be coming off him. Whilst he is a big lad, he is in the forces so he is reasonably fit but since this problem has developed he does struggle having the energy to do as much fitness as he used to... I am pulling my hair out with worry as the doctor was quite blunt and said if he doesn't get it under control then he will be dead before retirement age... only 20 years away. Any help from anyone with this complication or anyone who knows anyone with this complication would be much appreciated. I have just been told that a high carb diet would be the best thing to help but is the case?
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Hypoglycemia Intolerant
- Thread starter NicolaW2b
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MaryPlain
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I would imagine that a high carb diet is the worst possible option!
Sorry if you already know this, but it's not just sugar that will cause blood sugar levels to increase - most carbs will do this. Hence my comment above about high carbs!
A lot of people think that carbs are ok as long as they don't eat sugar, which is not the case.
Perhaps if you put what he typically eats in a day, others may be able to advise.
If I were you I'd also be encouraging him to log onto this forum for himself. He will then be able to ask the questions that are worrying him and take control of his own condition! It's great that you care enough to be doing this for him but it's his body, his condition, he needs to look after himself (unless he's disabled which clearly he's not given what you've posted).
Good luck!
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- Type 1
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Hi Nicola
I moved this to the 'General' board where it will probably be seen by a few more T2s.
I have seem many accounts of type 2's who exhibit quite profound hypo symptoms (weakness and crushing lethargy are not uncommon) when their BG levels apporach the 'normal' range after having been very high for sometime.
The body as an 'emergency switch' to protect against episodes of low blood sugar, and it takes a little while for this switch to reset to 'normal' levels.
Sometimes the symptoms can be reduced by taking a small amount of carbydydrate (perhaps 5-10g), but too much will simply skyrocket the BG again and may not help long term.
I'd agree with Mary, a sustained gradual reduction in carb intake will probably help in the medium-long term. A high carbohydrate diet (whether or not these carbohydrates are allegedly 'starchy') is likely to keep your husband's BG levels high and would probably prevent the 'emergency switch' from resetting to more normal levels.
I moved this to the 'General' board where it will probably be seen by a few more T2s.
I have seem many accounts of type 2's who exhibit quite profound hypo symptoms (weakness and crushing lethargy are not uncommon) when their BG levels apporach the 'normal' range after having been very high for sometime.
The body as an 'emergency switch' to protect against episodes of low blood sugar, and it takes a little while for this switch to reset to 'normal' levels.
Sometimes the symptoms can be reduced by taking a small amount of carbydydrate (perhaps 5-10g), but too much will simply skyrocket the BG again and may not help long term.
I'd agree with Mary, a sustained gradual reduction in carb intake will probably help in the medium-long term. A high carbohydrate diet (whether or not these carbohydrates are allegedly 'starchy') is likely to keep your husband's BG levels high and would probably prevent the 'emergency switch' from resetting to more normal levels.
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RachelT
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1.5 LADA
Feeling iffy at "normal" levels
I have say that although i've never experienced a proper hypo, i don't have to have particularly low blood sugar levels (mid to low 5s) to feel lethargic and spaced out. I usually feel a lot better after a small pick me up, like a biscuit. My theory is that in my case, and your actual mileage may vary, i find that what affects me most is the rate of change of blood glucose, or how fast it drops rather than how much or to what level.
I'm not sure that's go any relevance to your husband whatsoever, but i just though, "ummm, that sounds a bit like me" and i'm Type 2. My Hba1c is ok, (i'm hoping it'll be better this year coz i've lost a bit of weight.)but my finger prick results tend to be high. I'm under the impression that the Hba1c was what was important in terms of long term prognosis, and i'm not sure how that applies to your husband. Plus i'm not a doctor and can only speak from my own experience.
I can't really offer much advice on the weight loss front, i'm finding Weightwatchers is working nicely, most of the time, for me, but i'm still relatively new to it and i've never tried to diet properly before.
RachelT
I have say that although i've never experienced a proper hypo, i don't have to have particularly low blood sugar levels (mid to low 5s) to feel lethargic and spaced out. I usually feel a lot better after a small pick me up, like a biscuit. My theory is that in my case, and your actual mileage may vary, i find that what affects me most is the rate of change of blood glucose, or how fast it drops rather than how much or to what level.
I'm not sure that's go any relevance to your husband whatsoever, but i just though, "ummm, that sounds a bit like me" and i'm Type 2. My Hba1c is ok, (i'm hoping it'll be better this year coz i've lost a bit of weight.)but my finger prick results tend to be high. I'm under the impression that the Hba1c was what was important in terms of long term prognosis, and i'm not sure how that applies to your husband. Plus i'm not a doctor and can only speak from my own experience.
I can't really offer much advice on the weight loss front, i'm finding Weightwatchers is working nicely, most of the time, for me, but i'm still relatively new to it and i've never tried to diet properly before.
RachelT
DeusXM
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
To be honest, it's going to be challenging for him to lose weight while his blood sugars remain high.
The issue is that your partner sounds like he is insulin resistant. This means his body will probably produce more insulin to try to compensate. Insulin prevents the metabolism of fat and increases fat storage, so the more insulin you produce, the more weight you will put on (which is why there is an argument to suggest weight gain is a symptom rather than a cause of diabetes).
Your partner needs to get used to having normal blood sugar levels - as you haven't posted any readings, it's hard to tell what he is running at. But to some extent, he has to power through it. He probably needs to work at getting to the 7-10 range for a month or so to get used to slightly high blood sugar levels, and he can start to dial it back to the 4-6 range.
A high-carb diet, as has been pointed out, is probably the worst way forward. At a very simple level, carbs are sugar. That slice of bread? A big lump of sugar. That baked potato? One huge sugar bomb. That plate of rice? Sugar grains.
No, whenever someone eats sugar (ie. carbs), their body produces insulin to either transfer that sugar to the muscles for fuel, or convert it to fat for storage. So for someone with insulin resistance who's trying to lose weight, you'll see why adding more carbs is a bit like trying to put out a fire with petrol.
So what's the options for diet? Plenty of fresh vegetables, very small quantities of fruit, and good sources of protein and fat such as steaks, butter, eggs, avocado. These should help your partner get his blood sugar back down to normal levels and should also help him to lose weight (he will need to exercise though). If he feels lethargic etc. he should test his blood sugar and make a note of the reading, and then as has been suggested, maybe eat a biscuit or a few small sips of a regular soft drink. If all goes according to plan, eventually he should notice that his lethargy will kick in when his readings get lower. Measurement is important as it gives him a clear image of his improvement.
This will all take a while, but it will be worth it.
The issue is that your partner sounds like he is insulin resistant. This means his body will probably produce more insulin to try to compensate. Insulin prevents the metabolism of fat and increases fat storage, so the more insulin you produce, the more weight you will put on (which is why there is an argument to suggest weight gain is a symptom rather than a cause of diabetes).
Your partner needs to get used to having normal blood sugar levels - as you haven't posted any readings, it's hard to tell what he is running at. But to some extent, he has to power through it. He probably needs to work at getting to the 7-10 range for a month or so to get used to slightly high blood sugar levels, and he can start to dial it back to the 4-6 range.
A high-carb diet, as has been pointed out, is probably the worst way forward. At a very simple level, carbs are sugar. That slice of bread? A big lump of sugar. That baked potato? One huge sugar bomb. That plate of rice? Sugar grains.
No, whenever someone eats sugar (ie. carbs), their body produces insulin to either transfer that sugar to the muscles for fuel, or convert it to fat for storage. So for someone with insulin resistance who's trying to lose weight, you'll see why adding more carbs is a bit like trying to put out a fire with petrol.
So what's the options for diet? Plenty of fresh vegetables, very small quantities of fruit, and good sources of protein and fat such as steaks, butter, eggs, avocado. These should help your partner get his blood sugar back down to normal levels and should also help him to lose weight (he will need to exercise though). If he feels lethargic etc. he should test his blood sugar and make a note of the reading, and then as has been suggested, maybe eat a biscuit or a few small sips of a regular soft drink. If all goes according to plan, eventually he should notice that his lethargy will kick in when his readings get lower. Measurement is important as it gives him a clear image of his improvement.
This will all take a while, but it will be worth it.
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