New Type 1 - Fake Hypos?

[JenB]

Hi, after months of feeling terrible and more recently running to the loo constantly, weight loss and thirst I was taken into hospital and diagnosed Type 1 on Tuesday. Sugars were around 20.1 on admission and since starting insulin have fallen to between 12 and 14. A couple of times have fallen to under 10 and I have felt awful- shaking, lightheaded, tingling lips, nauseous etc. Could this be because my body thinks I’m in a hypo due to the sudden drop after being high for so long? Will this stop as my body gets used to the new lower levels? Any advice greatly appreciated x

 

[Robin]

Yes and yes, in a nutshell!
Welcome to the forum, but sorry you have to be here! It’s a common phenomenon, to feel hypo at normal levels, when your body has been used to high sugars for a period, and your body does get used to the 'new normal' quite quickly.
I also had nerve pains in my legs and arms while my body was getting used to the lower blood sugars, but they stopped when my sugars were stabilised.

 

[Saoirse]

Hi Jen, in short, yes, and yes. Your body is adapting to being supported by insulin and they will want to bring your blood sugars down, but not too quickly. You may also find your vision is slightly off as again, this can be affected by long term high glucose readings and changes as these come down. A new T1 diagnosis is a lot to deal with, all I can say is it will get better. Take care

 

[Thebearcametoo]

Hi and welcome. As the others have said yes and yes. My kid collapsed when his sugars dropped in hospital even though he wasn’t hypo. Your body will adjust and it’s good to bring your levels down slowly for this very reason.

 

[mashedupmatt]

Hi @JenB and welcome to the forum - as has already been said this is perfectly normal as your blood glucose would have been at a high level for some time it is your body's natural reaction to suddenly having less of it floating about - you would also have been put on very conservative doses of insulin to bring things down slowly - I'm assuming you've been given a CGM (Libre 2+ or Dexcom One+) to monitor your levels? Just remember to always confirm with a finger-prick if your symptoms/feelings don't match the numbers on the graph - it's a lot to take in to start with but you've found a great place hers for help and support - please ask any questions you may have however trivial they may seem - nothing is considered a "Silly" question here - glad you have found us

 

[helli]

I'm assuming you've been given a CGM (Libre 2+ or Dexcom One+) to monitor your levels?

I don’t want to confuse @JenB but I wonder if a CGM is a good idea at this stage. As is often mentioned, a CGM is designed to be more accurate at “normal” BG levels (between about 4.0 and 9.0). When my BG is in double figures, I do not trust my CGM and will always check with a finger prick.
While Jen’s BG is being bought down and she is feeling false hypo when under 10.0, the inaccuracies of a CGM at this level may not be very helpful.
Finger pricks are more reliable and may be more helpful.

 

[JenB]

I don’t want to confuse @JenB but I wonder if a CGM is a good idea at this stage. As is often mentioned, a CGM is designed to be more accurate at “normal” BG levels (between about 4.0 and 9.0). When my BG is in double figures, I do not trust my CGM and will always check with a finger prick.
While Jen’s BG is being bought down and she is feeling false hypo when under 10.0, the inaccuracies of a CGM at this level may not be very helpful.
Finger pricks are more reliable and may be more helpful.

Thanks for your reply. I am only using finger pricking just now and do t have a CGM! Only on a very low dose of insulin 2 units before meals and 2 units of slow release before bed and first thing in the morning. No diet advice given as yet- will that come when I meet with the dietician- anything I should/should not be eating at meal times ( on three meals a day with insulin administered just before eating!)

 

[JenB]

Hi Jen, in short, yes, and yes. Your body is adapting to being supported by insulin and they will want to bring your blood sugars down, but not too quickly. You may also find your vision is slightly off as again, this can be affected by long term high glucose readings and changes as these come down. A new T1 diagnosis is a lot to deal with, all I can say is it will get better. Take care

Thanks for your reply. Yes it’s a lot to take in but this site/forums have been very helpful. Yes my vision has been very blurry and seems to be getting worse since being diagnosed!

 

[JenB]

Hi @JenB and welcome to the forum - as has already been said this is perfectly normal as your blood glucose would have been at a high level for some time it is your body's natural reaction to suddenly having less of it floating about - you would also have been put on very conservative doses of insulin to bring things down slowly - I'm assuming you've been given a CGM (Libre 2+ or Dexcom One+) to monitor your levels? Just remember to always confirm with a finger-prick if your symptoms/feelings don't match the numbers on the graph - it's a lot to take in to start with but you've found a great place hers for help and support - please ask any questions you may have however trivial they may seem - nothing is considered a "Silly" question here - glad you have found us

Thanks so much for replying. No CgM just now, only finger pricking!

 

[mashedupmatt]

Thanks so much for replying. No CgM just now, only finger pricking!

As @helli has said that is more sensible to start with - it does differ depending where you are (I had one slapped on my arm immediately!) - it will taka while to settle down but it does get easier

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks for your reply. Yes it’s a lot to take in but this site/forums have been very helpful. Yes my vision has been very blurry and seems to be getting worse since being diagnosed!

Your vision should stabilise as your blood glucose become lower and more stable so don't be tempted to rush to the optician, they shouldn't prescribe new glasses in newly diagnosed, Some people have found cheap reading glasses helpful in the interim. You should of course get the NHS retinal screening as part of your diabetic checks./

 

[Wendal]

Thanks for your reply. I am only using finger pricking just now and do t have a CGM! Only on a very low dose of insulin 2 units before meals and 2 units of slow release before bed and first thing in the morning. No diet advice given as yet- will that come when I meet with the dietician- anything I should/should not be eating at meal times ( on three meals a day with insulin administered just before eating!)

Yep Jen welcome to the club that no one wants to join but it is very supportive.
Others have given great advice and we all know it takes a period of adjustment which can vary a lot by individual.
Like you I was started off conservatively on 2u of basal and the same for bolus at mealtime.
They will monitor how your BG levels perform and also you will become better at seeing how your body responds to carbs/ medication and exercise.
You will find your optimal level for you and that is where the CGM can really help.

 

[Inka]

Thanks for your reply. I am only using finger pricking just now and do t have a CGM! Only on a very low dose of insulin 2 units before meals and 2 units of slow release before bed and first thing in the morning. No diet advice given as yet- will that come when I meet with the dietician- anything I should/should not be eating at meal times ( on three meals a day with insulin administered just before eating!)

@JenB The recommended diet for Type 1s is the same diet recommended for everybody - ie you can eat pretty much the same as usual 🙂 Type 1 is an auto-immune condition and not to do with diet, but everything to do with insulin: taking the right dose at the right time.

The dietician should hopefully explain about counting your carbs in your meals NOT to limit them, but in order to calculate your fast/bolus insulin dose. That’s what we have to do - be our own pancreas. Not as easy as it sounds, but things will gradually get easier.

 

[helli]

No diet advice given as yet- will that come when I meet with the dietician- anything I should/should not be eating at meal times ( on three meals a day with insulin administered just before eating!)

As @Inka mentioned, there is no diet and nothing to avoid due to having Type 1 diabetes.
The only thing I would add is that you do not have to be restricted to three meals a day. For example, if you don’t normally eat breakfast, don’t have it. And don’t take the insulin you have with that meal … because you are eating no carbs.

 

[Inka]

And if you are a snacker, like me, you can also eat snacks between meals 🙂 All this comes with experience. Type 1 is a big learning curve, so pace yourself and go along slowly. Your knowledge will increase and you’ll gradually get the hang of things more, and be able to fit it into your life better.

 

[Bazarama]

Hi @JenB as a fairly new T1D of just under 8 months who’s still getting a handle on things too, it does get easier.

It’s a big learning curve and on reflection, take your time to understand your body, your body’s response to various food, exercise, sleep, stress.

What works for some might not work for everyone it’s all trial and error. Just navigate as best you can.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @JenB

Glad you have found us, though sorry to hear you’ve been getting some wobbles as your levels have started to come down.

Glad you have the ‘hive mind’ of the forum to tap into, and our understanding ears when your diabetes is being particularly annoying and nonsensical (as it will be from time to time!).

Keep asking questions, and rant away when you need to 🙂

 

[trophywench]

I was rather taken aback when I read the title - only to discover the hypos were by no means fake, they have exactly the same symptoms as a real one - hence the term both ourselves and the medical profession use for these is "False" ones, rather than a word implying you're trying too con people to believe you eg can't do something which in truth, you just don't want to do.

(Doing the latter probably never even crossed your mind before - but some folk have certainly been suspected of it at times. Please try and stop even thinking of the word 'fake')

Wishing you much success at beating them into submission asap. 🙂