Treating hypos and thyroid tablets.

[Munjeeta]

2 questions in one...

1. I've just been put on a low dose of levothyroxine because my thyroid is underactive. I've only been taking the tablets for 2 days but my sugar levels seem to have dropped. I'm having to manage my diabetes with the food I eat to prevent hypos (having thought I'd JUST got my ratios sorted I'm reluctant to change insulin doasages too much just yet...) Has anybody else noticed the same thing?! Or maybe it's just a blip. I haven't drastically changed injection sites or anything.

2. How much sugar (in grams) is usually used to treat a hypo? I know it's roughly a third of a bottle of lucozade but does anybody know how many grams of sugar/ carbs is normally used to bring them out of a hypo?

 

[aymes]

I'd usually use have between 15 and 20g carbs (quick acting) to treat a hypo, followed by similar amounts of slower acting after if necessary

 

[Northerner]

I'd usually use have between 15 and 20g carbs (quick acting) to treat a hypo, followed by similar amounts of slower acting after if necessary

Same for me - 3 jelly babies (15g) + digestive biscuit (12g)

 

[diagonall]

100 mls of locazde is aprox 17 carbs.
15 quick acting carbs to treat a hypo. But if your basal is wrong it can be a lot more.
If your thyroid is under active then you will need more insulin and control is harder.
It normally takes a few weeks or more for thyroxin to work though Munjeeta.
Hope all is well with you beside the odd blips

 

[runner]

I usually take 2 - 3 glucose tabs, test 10 mins later and then have some slow-acting carbs - biscuit, sandwich or toast etc.

I was taking thyroxine with metformin, then went onto insulin(and metformin) a year later, so not sure of the interaction of the two...

 

[Munjeeta]

100 mls of locazde is aprox 17 carbs.
15 quick acting carbs to treat a hypo. But if your basal is wrong it can be a lot more.
If your thyroid is under active then you will need more insulin and control is harder.
It normally takes a few weeks or more for thyroxin to work though Munjeeta.
Hope all is well with you beside the odd blips

Yes, Sue, that's what I thought! I didn't think I would feel the effects so soon... There must be another reason! And yes, thank you, I think I've finally got my basal dose right (my morning blood sugars are now averaging around 5 and only dropping/rising about 2 mmol during the night 🙂) Things are starting to get easier.

 

[diagonall]

Yes, Sue, that's what I thought! I didn't think I would feel the effects so soon... There must be another reason! And yes, thank you, I think I've finally got my basal dose right (my morning blood sugars are now averaging around 5 and only dropping/rising about 2 mmol during the night 🙂) Things are starting to get easier.

Fantastic. I'm so pleased for you 🙂