What is hypo?

[Ralph-YK]

Hi
I've no idea what hypo is.

 

[katie]

It's a low blood sugar level, short for hypoglycaemia. Usually anything below 4 if you're on insulin.

 

[Ralph-YK]

Thanks. I'm not on insulin.

 

[AlisonM]

Normal levels are reckoned between 4 and 7, Ralph. Hypo is anything below 4 though few of us treat if we're above 3.5. High is anything between 7 and 10 and Hyper (Hyperglycaemia) is anything over 10. However, it is possible to feel that you're having a hypo when you're above 4, if your numbers have been running high for a while before you come down, or if they fall very quickly. These numbers apply whether or not you're on insulin and, while it happens more rarely, it is possible for someone on meds, or diet and exercise to have a hypo. The only way to be sure what's happening is to test.

Hope that helps.

 

[Ralph-YK]

When I was in hospital in December (where I was diagnosed, was in with an infection) they did several finger prick tests. Got several numbers. 11(.5?) to 7(.5?). Not sure if I got less than that. When I did Desmond I discovered HbA1c (only place I've seen that, blood suger level blood test I believe) it was 55. Was done through GPS in March. Just been for second one last week.

Wasn't told what the numbers were properly.

 

[Ralph-YK]

Ever meal in hospital had pudding. Apple pie & custard, cake & custard, ginger cake & custard, treacle spung & custard. Just wasn't enough food without it. I lost weight just sat in bed. And I managed to eat all of each meal. Several others didn't.

 

[AlisonM]

HbA1c is a blood test that allows the medics to get an average of what your blood sugar levels have been over the previous three months or so. 55 isn't great, but it could also be a lot worse, and seeing as you've been ill, it's understandable. Hopefully the results of your latest one will be lower. Always make the doctor or nurse tell you what the score was, especially if you are not able to test your blood sugar levels on a regular basis at home as it will be the only measure you will have of your progress.

Oh yes, 11.5 and 7.5 are expressed as percentages which is how it's been done in the UK until recently. 55 is mmol/mol or millimols per mole which is what we're changing to. 55 translates to 7.2%. A good target score to aim for is 48% or 6.5% and this is what many medics will want to see. I've managed to hit it once and was told that my latest HbA 5.5% was too low.

 

[Amberzak]

I was always told a hypo starts at 3.5, and a serious hypo is anything lower than 3. And a hyper is 15 or higher as that's when ketones start. (Not saying you are okay with a reading of 10. Just that that's considered high rather than hyper). I'm type one though.

Also, I have never had a 55 for my hba1c. My lowest was what ever 8.7 is in the new system and my consultant was thrilled with that as it's the first time it's been out of double digits. So it's all relative to the person, and as such each person is given their own goals. My goal on the pump is to get an hba1c of 7.5 (which is about 55), so for me that would be excellent.

 

[MacG3]

Hi Raplh,

Like you, I was diagnosed whilst in hospital with an infection. The food in hospitals are not designed with diabetics, especially T2's in mind. Infections will usually cause you to have higher blood sugar levels, as your liver will produce more glucose to help your body fight the infection (The fact that this can also feed the infection is by the by, and no one ever accused their liver of being intelligent ).

The results from the HbA1c tests usually take a few days to get back to your GP. If you don't have an appointment booked with your GP or diabetic nurse, then just give them a call and ask for the results.

Although, with your questions, I would ask for an appointment so that they can explain the results to you and help you put a plan in place.

Let us know what happens. And Good Luck!

 

[Ralph-YK]

I've an appointment with the sister 2 weeks after the test. That seems to be how it's done at my GPs. Both were set for September and were brought forward as I was trying to get to see the diabetes nurse. Had a wait to do blood test. I suspect they only brought it forward because I am having an op in September to fit an ICD.

Had first blood taken March 2, so will cover all of December. I had infection ( cellulitis) from 1 December till middle of January at least. This is 1 of the 3 things hospital told me.
1 Infection is more likely
2 Infections affect test & you'll need GP to test when infection is gone
and a week later doctor had to come round to say
3 "You do have diabetes."

 

[Ralph-YK]

Just got a letter with my results. Hadn't had any letters before.
Has several things listed, including cholesterol.
HbA1c is 47.
Got some other bits, mentions goal, plans, how I feeling (lack of interest etc), areas you want to work on/ask about and yearly review.
Looks like I might be in a better position in a couple of weeks.

 

[HOBIE]

For me Hypos can be different on how LOW they are. From being flat out on the floor to feeling not quite with it ! Sometimes they come on quite quickly & other times slowly. After 49yrs of this game you do get used to them 😱 Best avoided 🙂

 

[AlisonM]

55 to 47? That's a great improvement Ralph, well done. You're clearly doing something right.

 

[Ralph-YK]

I was just wondering if the infection is responsible for the difference.
I'd cut out all cake, crisps, biscuits and suchlike months before I was diagnosed diabetic. Over 6/7 months before the 55 reading.
I've had no idea what else to do, and from Desmond I got the impression that you get to have apple pie and custard. (Phone predictive test got lot of that without me doing first letter.That's what they had in food display. )
Don't know what I doing right, wrong or otherwise.

That is, I've not changed anything in the last 9 months, and I've been on the same does of metformin.

 

[Amberzak]

Not sure about type 2, but I imagine it's the same; I find my sugars always goes up when I have an infection

 

[Ralph-YK]

Doctors told me that infections do affect the test.
I don't know how this works out in practice. I was feeling dreadful from the infection at the time.
On Desmond they said things attach to the blood cells (I think) & the blood cells get replaced every 3 months.

I think it's important that I don't assume, self diagnose or just leave things. I've done that and decided it's best to say things, ask and check.

 

[KookyCat]

Infection does generally make blood sugars higher Ralph so it's highly likely that it had an impact. When you're body is stressed (including being ill) it shoves out more glucose into your blood because you need extra fuel to fix the problem. It expects your pancreas to up the anti too and shoot out more insulin to carry the glucose where it's needed. With diabetes though we've either got a pancreas that can't produce insulin (those of us who use insulin) or it can produce insulin but the body can't use what it's produced (most folk with type 2 fall into that category), so that bit of the process falls down and we end up with high blood sugar. That can also lead to longer infections because the body isn't as efficient at using energy anymore. The hba1c measures how much glucose is attached to red blood cells, it's a normal process in the body for some of the glucose to become stuck on the red blood cells, but if you've got lots of glucose in your blood more will stick to the cells. Red blood cells are constantly being made though, and they die off too, so the cycle is around 6-12 weeks depending on how efficient your body is. So the hba1c shows how much glucose you've had swimming around for the last 6-12 weeks, the higher the number the more glucose you've had in your blood.

Other things can impact on blood glucose levels too, more activity for example increases oxygen flow to the body and this makes the cells in the body more receptive to insulin (if you think of it as a door, the extra oxygen holds the door open which makes it easier for the insulin to get in), stress of any kind tends to play havoc with blood sugar, as does the amount of body fat you carry. Fat is a barrier to insulin, so using the door as an example again, body fat keeps the door shut and less insulin can get through, thats why they advise losing weight if you're carrying a bit extra, because the less body fat you have the easier it is for the insulin to get through the door. So if you've become more active or lost weight that could also help lower your hba1c.

incidentally generally the lower you can get that hba1c the better, because that means you're closer to "normal" blood sugar, and that helps to avoid complications. Good work getting it down since March, keep at it and keep asking questions 🙂. This post was longer than I expected, so sorry for rambling 🙄

 

[Bloden]

from Desmond I got the impression that you get to have apple pie and custard. (Phone predictive test got lot of that without me doing first letter.That's what they had in food display.

I bought Anthony Worral-Thompson's diabetic cookbook and was AMAZED to see a whole section on puddings, so no wonder you're confused Ralph. I certainly was! 😱🙂

 

[happydog]

I found the conflicting information the worst thing when I was diagnosed in Sept 2012. The DN was telling me 60% carbs for every meal and that the body must have them. She said two slices of cake and 4 biscuits a week, lots of fruit etc. My brain was saying no. Low carb and limited sugar seems to work for me, but we are all different. I think that you have done really well in a relatively short time. It is obviously working for you so carry on. 🙂

 

[Ralph-YK]

Shall we call it a 'full' post, KookyCat.
I've also been losing weight for the last year. Lost 16% of my weight. If I remember right Shape Your Wait talk about 5%-10%.
I've to stick to it, as I've still to loose more.