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P

Persil

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi everyone!

I know it's been ages since I last posted, so I hope this finds everyone well! A quick question for you.....

So, some of you may remember I had a friend diagnosed with diabetes around April this year. Well, we're 5 months down the line, and we still don't have a type as they are running a genetic test to see if she is 1.5. Basically, she now appears to be suffering from hypos, but isn't on medication at this moment in time. Is this normal/possible?

Thanks!

Vicki 🙂
xxx
 
Hi Vicki

There are a couple of members on here who have had hypos and are not on meds. Its not common but it is possible. There can sometimes be a medical reason for the hypos. In addition sometimes athletes can suffer from hypos too.

If she is worried then she should take her reading to her Dr. The Dr should be able to establish whether they levels she is getting are such that a referral to an endochrinologist is needed.
 
Hi Vicki, lovely to hear from you again, I was just thinking about you today! 🙂 Do you know what her blood sugar levels are when she is having a hypo? It may be that because her levels are generally higher that she will experience a much lower level as a though it was a hypo. It could also be that her pancreas is 'spluttering' - overproducing insulin at times. I believe we have one or two other members who have experienced something similar. It may be something called 'reactive hypoglycaemia' where the pancreas overreacts with insulin to a blood glucose rise - do they occur shortly after she has eaten, and what sort of food is she eating at the time? She should certainly seek medical advice as there may be something that can be done to prevent the lows.
 
Hi Vicki and it's great to hear from you. Sorry to hear your friend is still having problems and hope she soon gets sorted. Alan has already mentioned everything I can think of. 😉 Keep in touch please. XXXXX
 
I hope your friend gets some answers soon, it seems a long time in finding out her type.

In answer to the question can she get hypos and not be on meds, yes it is possible. There are a couple of reasons, like the ammount of activity done, when she has last eaten. Even non diabetics ccan get hypos if they have been extra busy or haven't eaten for a while.

It is worth getting things checked out and any worries discussed with the doctor.
 
Hi Vicki, lovely to hear from you again. Hope you are doing well. I wonder if the hypos are what is medically known as reactive hypoglycaemia? My consultant was saying that non diabetics can have a medical problem where their pancreas doesn't know when to stop producing insulin (the off switch is broken), so when they eat, they produce insulin to cover the food but then doesn't stop in time leading to hypos. Maybe like Northerner said, her pancreas is still producing some insulin but isn't sure when to stop and start?
 
Hi Vicky,

before being diagnosed with diabetes I have been suffering from hypos for at least 10 years. In fact, I found out I was diabetic while investigating for an insulinoma (tumor of the pancreas that produces extra insulin) first and reactive hypoglicaemia after. I used to have hypos 3-4 hours after breakfast, especially after a meal loaded in sugars.

Nevertheless I was found out positive to antibodies and the glucose tolerance test showed a diabetic response. Also, when I was diagnosed my A1C was very low (5.4%) and I managed fairly well with diet only for at least 6 months before being put on insulin.

I do not know whether this is "normal", as I have never managed to get a plausible explanation from doctors, but it can happen.

Manu
 
Thanks for all your responses. Will take this information back to her and see what she thinks -- she's a bit of a science-buff, so she'll know what you're talking about, haha!

And I really am sorry I haven't touched base here in a while. Will definitely be checking in a lot more often now. Had a rough few months, but am definitely on the up, so feel in a much better way to contribute to this forum again!

Looking forward to catching up with you all!!

Vicki 🙂
xxx
 
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