New - possible hypoglycemia - FreeStyle Libre 2 Users

[Inka]

anxiety can be a contributory factor on levels I read and I have had it continious now, day in and day out since 2015 and thank you for the reassurance about levels of 3.5 being normal for some. As I said because the Libre is totally new to me and I was getting such low readings for several hours, it wasn't until I was sat on the sofa late last night reading up on Reddit posts and how it has to settle for at least 12-24hrs which somewhat alleviated my heightened anxiety about it.
I have ordered a HbA1C test kit from the Diabetes site because I haven't had it tested since December 22 when the levels showed normal but things can change so, for peace of mind, it's a worthwhile test for me. Just wish they would hurry up and post the damn thing to me so I can get it done

That must be hard having to fit your food around your meds. Perhaps add a little more to your meals then if that works best?

3.5 is normal for everyone without diabetes. It’s only people with diabetes on glucose-lowering drugs, that need to watch out for that (because it could drop lower due to the drugs). The Libre is set up for people with diabetes so that’s why it has the lower limit of 3.9. However, people without diabetes are often in the 3s and it’s ok.

I found some Libre sensors hideously inaccurate. When they were, they usually read low continuously when, in reality, my blood sugar was a fair bit higher. Don’t let it worry you.

 

[jefner]

OK that is quite a while ago and as you say things can change. Don't forget the test kit you will get will be doing the test from a finger prick sample which is from capillary blood and will not be quite as accurate as one done by your GP from a venous blood sample but I think somebody had one done by Boots recently and found it was a reasonable match to the official one.
HbA1C tests are not particularly accurate if you have anaemia, but that hopefully does not apply to you.
These tests done independently don't get added to your medical record which can be a disadvantage so you could ask your GP for one.

the tests I do on the side are actually added to my medical records because I have to test my thyroid every 3 months which I do privately and always send her the results for advice and recommendations when I have to tweak my levels

 

[jefner]

That must be hard having to fit your food around your meds. Perhaps add a little more to your meals then if that works best?

3.5 is normal for everyone without diabetes. It’s only people with diabetes on glucose-lowering drugs, that need to watch out for that (because it could drop lower due to the drugs). The Libre is set up for people with diabetes so that’s why it has the lower limit of 3.9. However, people without diabetes are often in the 3s and it’s ok.

I found some Libre sensors hideously inaccurate. When they were, they usually read low continuously when, in reality, my blood sugar was a fair bit higher. Don’t let it worry you.

thank you for educating me and your comforting words I appreciate it

 

[jefner]

Is there any reason why you can't get an HbA1c done through the NHS? It is a very standard test and if your issues with your Thyroid/Hashimoto's can impact your BG levels then it seems reasonable to request it.
I would like to add that I really sympathise with you having anxiety. Many of us here on the forum have experience of it and I have struggled with it for more than 20 years. Have you asked about changing your medication? I started on Amitriptyline last year and that is really helping me, but it takes time to build up to a dose that works. Exercise is also important to help with anxiety and mental health. I try to walk as much as possible rather than take the car but I have also started using the staircase in my house and setting myself goals of so many ascents and descents on the trot which takes just 10-15 mins. It is really good exercise for your heart, lungs and legs and doesn't cost anything provided that you have a house with a staircase and are able to walk up and down it and it doesn't matter if it is cold, wet or dark outside which are easy excuses to prevent me from leaving the house and avoid exercise. You can put some favourite music on whilst you do it.
I appreciate that Hashimoto's may slow you down and there will be days when you struggle to do anything, but every little bit helps with exercise.

My anxiety is so severe in the day that I just feel too weak and dizzy to be able to move around that much and there are days with the fatigue from the Hashi's that's just ridiculous and the anxiety wears me out physically as well but I do push myself to go a late evening walk, sometimes I can only manage 10 mins, other times around half an hour but because I sit around all day and every day but get up and down frequently because I am so fidgety, I literally push myself out the door at night whether I want to go or not. Am agoraphobic as well which doesn't help, live alone in an upstairs flat, no family or friends so very isolated and lonely with a bundle of irrational thoughts/overthinking constantly.
have been on an AD for years but it stopped working but saved my life at the time. Would like to titrate onto a different one but alas Paroxetine is the worst one on the planet so I am stuck on it for the rest of my days because with all the severe symptoms I have each day, anymore would tend me right over the edge, I have been tetering on the edge now for a very long time in wanting to give up but somehow I still get out of bed each day. Waiting for some long term therapy which I have been pushing my GP for, for over a year now. Had an assessment but have to wait like everyone else. Had some privately but was a waste of time which is how I feel about myself because I am so low and stuck with so much to deal with on my own.
I used to go to yoga classes 3 times a week which helped but when covid hit I never went back and where I live now isn't so near to where the classes are and I struggle with driving when anxiety is so bad. keep trying to find the motivation to start it again at home but there just isn't any

 

[Inka]

You’re not a waste of time @jefner You’re a unique and special human being. There’s no-one like you in the whole world. Look after yourself x

Could you get a taxi to yoga? I find yoga and Tai Chi very calming, so they might help you a little if you could get to yoga again. Well done on pushing yourself to have a walk. I find walking helps a lot too. One thought - have you had your Vitamin D tested? You’re indoors a lot and people with health issues are quite often low in Vitamin D. I was low in Vit D one year and felt a lot more energetic after a course of it.

 

[jefner]

You’re not a waste of time @jefner You’re a unique and special human being. There’s no-one like you in the whole world. Look after yourself x

Could you get a taxi to yoga? I find yoga and Tai Chi very calming, so they might help you a little if you could get to yoga again. Well done on pushing yourself to have a walk. I find walking helps a lot too. One thought - have you had your Vitamin D tested? You’re indoors a lot and people with health issues are quite often low in Vitamin D. I was low in Vit D one year and felt a lot more energetic after a course of it.

thank you hon but I think otherwise about myself and have done for a long time. Can't use public transport, I am much happier using my car as it's my comfort blanket but not safe to drive when I am feeling rough plus with Covid still around and being stuck in a room with about 30 people with the fear of picking something up...no thanks and I would struggle anyway now. Just been out for my nightly walk, didn't want to but pushed myself. We agoraphobics prefer the darker nights of winter, kinda use it as a cloak so to speak. managed about 20 mins but don't feel any better for it, just bloody fatigued and miserable as usual.
I check my D levels quite often as with hashi's we are prone to certain vits and mineral deficiences like B12, Folate and some of the other B vits.. I take that much stuff I rattle! In fact I did a home kit test only yesterday so should get some results soon. It's a home kit via an NHS lab, only £29 and much easier to do than keep bothering my GP who frankly doesn't give a **** about me anymore than anyone else does. It's a lonely existence trying to manage this damn disease, every day is different with symptoms and I have had an extremely bad year this year and haven't had ONE day where I have felt reasonably well, mainly due to being overmedicated with my thyroid meds which just worsened my anxiety and if it hadn't been for two pharmacies messing with my meds I would have been able to have discovered it at the beginning of the year and attended to it.