Hypoglycemia/Pre-diabetes questions

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-06-2003
Hypoglycemia/Pre-diabetes questions
4
Mon, 04-12-2004 - 7:36pm
Hello-

I was in here a few months ago, and people were very helpful--I'm hoping you can help again...I had previously posted when I had my first fasting glucose of 120 (U.S.#'s). After talking to people here, I went to the student health center. The nurse I saw (no doctor available) felt I was overreacting, thought that my high number was likely due to the rather excessive (by hypo standards) dinner from the night before, and admitted that her experience with diabetes generally involved monitoring already-diagnosed students who had their regular doctors at home. I got very busy again and honestly forgot about the incident after a few normal readings.

I picked up my monitor for the first time in a couple months and had another 120. In the past five days I've had a 120, a 90, and a 111. Also, a 4-hour postprandial test of 109, for what that's worth, and a 75 when I felt hungry, if that's worth anything. There has been nothing unusual about my habits aside from a mild sleep deficit--no carb or alcohol overloads. Previously, my fasting glucose readings were typically in the 80's.

I want to do some 'intensive' monitoring for the next week or so--writing down foods, doing a 2-hour postprandial once a day, and checking the morning readings. I know what the ranges are, but I'm wondering how my dietary habits figure into these numbers. I don't eat a 'normal' diet--I rarely consume more than 40 gm of carb in a sitting, usually closer to 25-35. Does that change the numbers I should be looking for? Are there any other factors I should consider? Should I eat a larger quantity of carb when I am doing a prostprandial? Ideal time of day for a representative reading?

Sorry if I sound obsessive, but the nurse wanted to do a OGTT, which I do NOT want to have. I know how sick I will get (she did not understand this, either). So, I need to collect as much detailed information as I can before going back in to get these people to listen to me (and to make sure i'm NOT overreacting). Incidentally, my sister had a BG of 53 at a physical a couple weeks ago, though she felt fine. Mom's a severely overweight 'sugar addict' and Grandma was a very overweight diabetic. Neither my sister nor I are overweight, but it appears there is a very strong genetic influence at work here.....

Finally, I have never been able to get a 'low' reading, as either my blood pressure drops or my Raynaud's kicks in--I can't seem to get blood. Does it have to be from the fingertips? Any alternatives?

Any suggestions or thoughts are very much appreciated....just when I know all there is to find out about hypoglycemia, something new starts up.....

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 04-12-2004 - 11:32pm

Hi Lily rose fae,


Looks to me like you are doing well.


I agree with you that a OGTT is cruel and unusual punishmnet. If they need to do a test on you at all, they need to do a modified test which is 100 grams of glucose and then one blood draw at 2 hours. If they insist that you need the test done see if they will agree to this.


Just eat what you normally do and test as you have proposed. Write down what you ate and how much. That way you can correlate food and readings. Also write down any exercise that you do as that will effect the results too.


Good luck and let us know how you are doing.

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40


Co-Cl Diabetes Board


iVillage Member
Registered: 06-06-2003
Tue, 04-13-2004 - 10:27pm
Today's results were sort of surprising....the fasting glucose first thing this morning was 89 (back in normal range, yay!),2 hours after breakfast 86, 2 hours after lunch 93,and four hours after lunch (when I felt a little low, but I guess I'm just tired--I think my spring allergies are starting kick in....) 84.

Obviously a good start to my monitoring (but my fingers are all bruised already!) in terms of not being too high....but isn't it supposed to be higher two hours after eating? Breakfast was 1/2-3/4 cups All-Bran with Extra Fiber, sprinkled with some walnuts and dried cranberries, and with skim milk. also, 2 string cheese and a diet coke. Lunch was an 8oz salmon fillet and about a cup of snow peas, with another diet coke. I forgot my morning snack, but had a handful of nuts around 6 (2 hours before the last reading). Of course I'm glad that I wasn't really high after eating, but should I be concerned that it didn't budge at all? Obviously one day's numbers won't give a complete picture, just seems odd....should I try 1 hour after eating too?

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 04-14-2004 - 1:55am

Lilly,


I don't think so. I noticed that you didn't have much in the way of carbs and so I am not surprised that it will up so little. In normal people the blood sugar has dropped back into the normal range at 2 hours. If your fingers can tolerate it, and I do sympathize with the pinkies!, test after one hour. That is when you will probably see the elevation.


Your breakfast cerainly sounds tasty!


This may amaze you but I have been told to have a snack at bedtime because 12-14 hours are passing between when I have dinner and when I have breakfast the next day and in the middle of the night my liver is going crazy making blood sugar. I can go to bed with a 109 and get up with a 171. Now that is frustrating. So after I finish this posting with you I am off to test my blood sugar and to take my insulin.


That you for your very wise response to Julie about the different kinds of hypoglycemia. I hope you can continue to share your expertise.


A gentle hug,

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40


Co-Cl Diabetes Board


iVillage Member
Registered: 06-06-2003
Wed, 04-14-2004 - 1:23pm
Expertise....? Uh oh....

:o)

I did a lot of reading prior to my diagnosis, because I had had so much trouble getting medical assistance for my chronic problems. It's really funny...whenever I'm at a family gathering or a casual dinner with friends someone almost always starts quizzing me on carbs and the glycemic index and blood sugar spikes and crashes. I'm no expert, though. I still need to learn a bit more about what happens immediately after eating, and also in the middle of the night. I suspect my levels are jumping around at night, as I often wake up feeling hungover and hungry. I tend to eat dinner late, so I have not been good about having a snack immediately before bed.

I'm eating a sandwich for lunch right now, so I'll check my glucose in an hour and see what happens. I'm about to post a new thread with a theory about my recent numbers....sort of amusing, actually....