Low blood sugar sometimes in morning...

[Greymouser]

I am now finding that I am sometimes getting a low blood sugar reading in the morning, before breakfast. This morning was a 3.9 according to my cheap meter, but it has been as low as 3.1. It does soon rise back up after food, but is this just the meter being unreliable, or do I need to take a snack before bed to avoid the following low? I have heard Type 1s having to do this sometimes, but I am type 2.

It seems to be happening a couple of times a week or so, almost always after I have had a beverage of the alcoholic type. Not that I drink more than once a week, I hasten to add! 😱

 

[mikeyB]

You shouldn’t get hypos just taking Meformin. You say it always happens after taking alcohol. You’ve got your answer there - alcohol almost always lowers your blood sugar. That’s the late night Kebab effect, so it happens in normal folk as well🙂

 

[Greymouser]

No I do not drink alcohol every night! 😛 It does happen often when I do have a drink, but also sometimes when I do not. I did not have any last night for instance. So the late night kebab effect is nonsensical, especially as I do not eat meat! As for normal folk, I have never been accused of that! 😛 ( Define normal too for that matter? )

 

[mikeyB]

Aye, I was referring to non diabetics when I mentioned the kebab effect after alcohol. It’s real enough. You’re quite right to ask for a definition of normal, though, non diabetic doesn’t cover it for sure

Your numbers show you in the non diabetic range. Brilliant work.🙂 You might find it doesn’t happen if you have a snack before bed, say a digestive biccie. As you are in the non diabetic range, you might discuss with your doctor a trial without medication and just using dietary control.

 

[Flo15]

I am type two and was started on metformin before I eventually had to go on insulin, I used to have a few hypos whilst on it too even though I was told it shouldn't happen but it did...

 

[trophywench]

The late night kebab effect was in fact a well known thing even before kebabs were common - it simply refers to the fact that after an evening in the pub or even at home where alcohol was imbibed - 99.9% of people get 'the munchies'. At home maybe we have some cheese and biscuits or a crisp sandwich - but out in licensed premises on Saturday nights - at chucking out time we'd automatically aim for an Indian restaurant for a curry, even though all of us had our 'tea' before we went out.

The only thing that stopped us really, was if we were a bit skint!

 

[Greymouser]

<sigh...>
Yes I know it is, what sort of a rock do you think I have been living under the last 50 years? 😉

I was trying, ( and clearly failing, ) to emphasise that the alcohol is not the issue here. It is mostly happening without alcohol being involved at all, which is what was slightly worrying to me. If it was just when I drink alcohol, that would be easy to solve and I would not need you guys to show me the solution. When I do have a little wine, or whatever, I also have a couple of Hob Nobs before bed, then no problem.

Why is it happening at all? Does Flo15 have a point? I really do not want to go on what I would consider stronger medication, except as a last resort. Though giving Insulin to someone with occasional low BS seems Illogical. I will do as mickeyB suggested and speak to my GP when I see her in a couple of weeks, ( about something else, ) try and get the Metformin at least reduced.

Thanks anyway guys. 🙂

 

[Davein]

Two thoughts:
Try using a different meter eg. email manufacturer of your existing meter and request a replacement as yours is not functioning correctly. You could then compare readings.
Are you feeling any signs when you have low readings eg awareness of potential hypo...feeling weak, hungry or sick etc
When I was on Metformin I had a few rogue readings which I couldn't explain but fortunately the lowest reading I've had was 4.8 and I only felt a shade light headed with that.
It may help you to more testing (at night if you don't already do so).
I'm afraid I have less knowledge than some who have already commented but I do know different foods affect people differently.

 

[Greymouser]

Are you feeling any signs when you have low readings eg awareness of potential hypo...feeling weak, hungry or sick etc

Funnily enough, no I do not think so, even when I went down to 3.1, any potential hypo feeling, could be getting lost in the general malaise of early morning though! I am determinately not a morning person and am without a doubt a night owl! As for hungry, I always am hungry, which is maybe why I ended up as type 2! 😉

 

[Davein]

Funnily enough, no I do not think so, even when I went down to 3.1, any potential hypo feeling, could be getting lost in the general malaise of early morning though! I am determinately not a morning person and am without a doubt a night owl! As for hungry, I always am hungry, which is maybe why I ended up as type 2! 😉

In that case I would definitely try and get hold of another meter. I know it's not very often they're inaccurate but it's handy having a couple about the place.