Low Blood Glucose

[lordburnside]

Hi,

I was diagnosed in January 2024 with a reading of 55 the got it down to 41 but then strayed from the path somewhat and it went up to 45 I think.
I had been feeling a little unwell recently and I thought it was too much whisky or dehydration or both. I started testing again only to find low BG of 4.5 and similar readings in the morning and good readings throughout the day. I had assumed that the fact I had put weight on (10 pounds) that my readings would be high as they always have been 7's and 8's and after bread 10 to 12! (I only eat one slice of bread a day usually)

So I have had some more carbs and I feel generally better and have stopped the whisky and only drink wine on a weekend.

I have a test (by post) this week and it will be interesting to see if its 48 or less!

 

[Jodee]

Blood Glucose 4.5 mmol is normal blood glucose levels (normal between 4.0 and 5.4 mmol)
I would think whisky is ok for blood glucose level but not so good for liver and kidneys 🙂 but of course in moderation ok. Wine also good in moderation, ie a glass with your meal. But hey do what you fancy "A little of what you fancy does you good"

 

[rebrascora]

As said above 4.5 is a perfectly normal BG level and nothing to worry about in itself BUT it is important to understand how alcohol affects the body. The liver prioritizes removing that alcohol which is a toxin over it's regular overnight job of trickling out glucose to keep your vital organs fueled. Your low morning level suggests to me that your liver has been busy dealing with that alcohol. This may seem like a great situation as a diabetic to see levels reduced by alcohol but the liver can end up developing a surplus of stores if this is a regular occurrence because it is not releasing that glucose overnight and become fatty with all those extra stores and then you can end up back where you were before because a fatty liver is a known factor of Type 2 diabetes. Plus all the empty calories in alcohol which can lead to weight gain, another factor of Type 2.
I am not saying the odd glass of wine or whisky isn't OK but you do need to be mindful of what it is doing to your body.

 

[lordburnside]

Blood Glucose 4.5 mmol is normal blood glucose levels (normal between 4.0 and 5.4 mmol)
I would think whisky is ok for blood glucose level but not so good for liver and kidneys 🙂 but of course in moderation ok. Wine also good in moderation, ie a glass with your meal. But hey do what you fancy "A little of what you fancy does you good"

My BG has never been much in that range. I have always been 6. 7 and 8s and more. Trouble is I still work so after a day of toil alcohol is most welcome. Treats on the weekend might include Twix fingers, chips or crisps. For some reason pasta doesnt seem to affect me much.

I find pre-diabetes to be quite compicated - I have bacon and egg most mornings, salad for lunch and meat with veg maybe followed by berries and yoghurt. Its the snacks and alcohol are the problem.
If there are biscuits in the house or crisps I snack on them! I can eat 4 packets of Seabrooks crisps no problem so I dont buy them. Whisky and Twix are a great combination! Wine and cheese too. I am easily tempted.

 

[helli]

It is important to remember that the "alcohol affect" on BG is more likely for someone "pancreatically challenged".
Someone without diabetes is less likely to see much affect as their pancreas is able to regulate insulin production.

Just like Dawn Phenomenon - most livers will do a morning glucose dump but if you don't have diabetes, you will not see the rise in BG because your pancreas will release more insulin to handle it.

I am not suggesting someone without diabetes will see a completely flat BG - there will see be variations but less than we see.
Low BG for someone without diabetes is more likely to be related to intensive exercise than alcohol.

 

[lordburnside]

It is important to remember that the "alcohol affect" on BG is more likely for someone "pancreatically challenged".
Someone without diabetes is less likely to see much affect as their pancreas is able to regulate insulin production.

Just like Dawn Phenomenon - most livers will do a morning glucose dump but if you don't have diabetes, you will not see the rise in BG because your pancreas will release more insulin to handle it.

I am not suggesting someone without diabetes will see a completely flat BG - there will see be variations but less than we see.
Low BG for someone without diabetes is more likely to be related to intensive exercise than alcohol.

Thanks for that. My exercise at the moment is almost nil. I used to walk a lot which was great. I am motivated to chill out at the moment - I might do one 5 mile walk a week. I need to get back into regular short walks after dinner but the slightest cloud or breeze can put me off. I am a lost cause!

 

[Jodee]

My BG has never been much in that range. I have always been 6. 7 and 8s and more. Trouble is I still work so after a day of toil alcohol is most welcome. Treats on the weekend might include Twix fingers, chips or crisps. For some reason pasta doesnt seem to affect me much.

I find pre-diabetes to be quite compicated - I have bacon and egg most mornings, salad for lunch and meat with veg maybe followed by berries and yoghurt. Its the snacks and alcohol are the problem.
If there are biscuits in the house or crisps I snack on them! I can eat 4 packets of Seabrooks crisps no problem so I dont buy them. Whisky and Twix are a great combination! Wine and cheese too. I am easily tempted.

Your main meal diet sounds ok but as you say the snacks and alcohol may be a problem, always difficult to stop the treats we enjoy, so instead of stopping entirely just be in a deciding frame of mind to either reduce what you already do or decide you will do 3 x a week and at a reduced level. Its all our choice and another way of thinking is you are being kind to your body overall and not submitting to your craving for said delight Wishing you success in all your endeavours.

 

[lordburnside]

It is important to remember that the "alcohol affect" on BG is more likely for someone "pancreatically challenged".
Someone without diabetes is less likely to see much affect as their pancreas is able to regulate insulin production.

Just like Dawn Phenomenon - most livers will do a morning glucose dump but if you don't have diabetes, you will not see the rise in BG because your pancreas will release more insulin to handle it.

I am not suggesting someone without diabetes will see a completely flat BG - there will see be variations but less than we see.
Low BG for someone without diabetes is more likely to be related to intensive exercise than alcohol.

Thanks for your input. I realise my alcohol consumption is excessive. I intend to stick to the 14 units a week most of the time. As mentioned I have stopped the whisky and rarely drink beer. Two bottles of wine on a weekend is more than enough and is 18 units so that should be a maximum from now on. Its great getting squiffy ( almost merry!) its when you have more than that. Squiffy equals half a bottle of wine.!

 

[harbottle]

I am not suggesting someone without diabetes will see a completely flat BG - there will see be variations but less than we see.
Low BG for someone without diabetes is more likely to be related to intensive exercise than alcohol.

Yes, if I gt out and have a few beers and crisps and walk home (Around 1 mile) I see results down in the low 3s high 2s.
I *blamed* alcohol for years until I did something similar after a high "fast acting carb" meal (A burger with a bun) and got the same results. I only saw these massive falls with beer and crisps and it generally fell quite rapidly before I walked home to normal levels, then fell even further with the walk.

So I put it down to a combination of carbs + exercise.

(Although one time my BG was still very low in the morning afterwards.)

I believe a 'non diabetic' can see 'pre-diabetic' levels at some point during the day based on hormones. Beta cells function changes as does insulin sensitivity. I definitely see this trend in my own readings. Very low while I'm asleep, slightly up when I get up and start getting active, but very low in the afternoon.