Is my BG reading too low at 4.5?

[Katieb]

Hi am new to all this as recently diagnosed as having impaired glucose tolerance in May of this year. I have embarked on a healthy eating plan (low fat/GI/sugar) and have lost 1 and a half stone so far. Apart from a recent holiday, I tend to stick very well to this and drink very little alcohol. However... today I have had excellent BG readings (around 5.5) then went out to celebrate my daughter's GCSE results with a chinese and a couple of glasses of red! My BG one hour after eating (and I ate well at the all you can eat buffet!!) was 6.5, then 4.5 an hour after that. is this low? It seems the lowest reading I have ever taken. Maybe I'm just being paranoid? Any thoughts...? Just taken BG again an hour later and 6.5!!! Any idea what's going on here?

 

[RSVP]

Hi Katie

Those are great numbers imo 🙂 But do watch for a late spike. Chinese is known for those

Only way I can get numbers like that after 2 hours is if I go for a walk!


Sarah x

 

[Katieb]

Hi Katie

Those are great numbers imo 🙂 But do watch for a late spike. Chinese is known for those

Only way I can get numbers like that after 2 hours is if I go for a walk!


Sarah x

Hi Sarah

Funnily enough I did walk the dogs afterwards! Could be the explanation maybe? Could the wine have caused the dip?

Katiex

 

[Northerner]

Hi Katie, 4.5 is excellent and nothing to worry about, it's only when it drops below 4 that you need to have something sugary to bring it back above 4 (like a couple of jelly babies). What may have happended is that the alcohol in the wine kept your liver busy processing it and stopped it from producing its own trickle of glucose, so your levels dropped a little lower than you are used to seeing. The subsequent rise may be a combination of your liver returning to its task of producing its trickle, plus Chinese food is notorious for taking a long time to digest properly so possibly caused the rise 🙂

If you are wondering why the liver produces glucose, its because your body still needs energy when you are not eating so your heart, lungs and digestive system can still work 🙂

 

[RSVP]

I'm not 100% sure about the drink Katie, not a drinker myself so can't compare.

I do know that alcohol suppresses the livers glucose output. But not sure on the time scale. Sorry

Walking does it every time for me though


Sarah x

 

[Katieb]

Hi Katie, 4.5 is excellent and nothing to worry about, it's only when it drops below 4 that you need to have something sugary to bring it back above 4 (like a couple of jelly babies). What may have happended is that the alcohol in the wine kept your liver busy processing it and stopped it from producing its own trickle of glucose, so your levels dropped a little lower than you are used to seeing. The subsequent rise may be a combination of your liver returning to its task of producing its trickle, plus Chinese food is notorious for taking a long time to digest properly so possibly caused the rise 🙂

If you are wondering why the liver produces glucose, its because your body still needs energy when you are not eating so your heart, lungs and digestive system can still work 🙂

Aah makes sense! Was just a bit worried because it is a low reading for me. Will stop worrying now! Paranoia is all too easy when you are getting to grips with a new condition!!

 

[Katieb]

I'm not 100% sure about the drink Katie, not a drinker myself so can't compare.

I do know that alcohol suppresses the livers glucose output. But not sure on the time scale. Sorry

Walking does it every time for me though


Sarah x

I drink very little myself these days - only very occasionally. Can't take it these days - must be my age!!🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

The other thing that may have contributed (T2's ease correct me if I have this massively wrong) is that the large amount of food (all you can eat buffet) might have triggered a big 'phase2' release of insulin. Some t1's (I'm one) find Chinese food can have a late start but long release of BG. So you might get an initial dip, followed by a later rise. As a T2 of course, you can't change the timin of your insulin delivery.

 

[Katieb]

The other thing that may have contributed (T2's ease correct me if I have this massively wrong) is that the large amount of food (all you can eat buffet) might have triggered a big 'phase2' release of insulin. Some t1's (I'm one) find Chinese food can have a late start but long release of BG. So you might get an initial dip, followed by a later rise. As a T2 of course, you can't change the timin of your insulin delivery.

Also makes perfect sense! I guess my body reacted to the 'shock' of a load of stuff I no longer normally eat Funny thing is, I didn't really enjoy it that much either!!🙄