Anouther low questhion sugar 64

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2003
Anouther low questhion sugar 64
6
Thu, 04-15-2004 - 12:19pm
Sorry but i have anouther questhion, i know i must be driving you ladies crazy at this point with all my ?'s but you have all been so great.And i know if i call my doctor im going to wait half the day for him to call me back.

Any way i know 70 to 155 is normall range but at the moment im 64 my head hurts so bad.I know this is low but is this a level that i should have something with a little sugar in to bring it up.I just dont want to bring it up to much and crash again, i have been eating some crackers but its staying down
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-06-2003
Thu, 04-15-2004 - 1:48pm
Hi Julie-

64 is low--you should probably not try to drive while this low, and should definitely eat something, but it's not low enough to be afraid of going into a coma or anything. At this stage, you should eat something that will give you a balance of carbs and protein--have a couple pieces of cheese, some peanut butter (preferably 'natural'), or some nuts with your crackers. A glass of milk gives a good balance, too. Then check it every once in a while and make sure you are leveling out at a comfortable level. Like you said, you don't want to cause another crash.

The link between the actual BG numbers and symptoms is not a precise one. Remember, the 'normal' range means that the middle 90% of the population will be and feel fine within that range, but everyone is different. In addition to your body's natural preference, there is an influence of sleep, hydration (are you drinking enough water), and being worn out (like after a major crash or prolonged symptoms). Some people also have symptoms if they are within a 'normal' range, but fell too fast from the high level after eating. I start to feel a little 'off' in the low 70s, long before it's dangerous or I start to have debilitating symptoms.

Eat something a bit more substantial than some crackers. Remember, you feel bad because there is no energy in your blood--you need something in your system for your body to run off of. Aim for 200-400 well-balanced calories (but remember those calories when you plan your eating for the day!). This will give you enough energy to bring your levels back up and keep them there for a while, as long as you balance the carbs and protein.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2003
Thu, 04-15-2004 - 2:27pm
I just dont understand this i had a couple of crackers and a couple slices of cheese.I drank some sugar free crystal ice juice and now its 147.How can it jump up like that when i have had no sugar, does this mean im going to crash or as long of i eat light i should be o.k right.Also when you ladies notice that your levels are high and you do crash how soon does it normally happen?
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2003
Thu, 04-15-2004 - 2:43pm

Crackers are mostly simple carbs and will raise blood sugar fast, as do white bread, white rice, etc.

Blueliner4
(aka The Pixie Princess)

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-06-2003
Thu, 04-15-2004 - 6:32pm
Julie-

Relax. As a previous poster wrote, crackers break down into sugar fast. Everything you eat eventually breaks down into sugar--glucose is what your body uses for energy. The focus is on carbs, because they turn into glucose the fastest. Of the carbs, foods made of flour, rice, certain fruits, and potatoes are the fastest. That's why whole grains, fresh fruits, and most vegetables are your best carb choices. I would recommend staying away from wheat products altogether for a couple of weeks until you get used to your new diet. Not because wheat is inherently bad, but because most wheat products are made of wheat flour, which makes your blood sugar unstable. Once you get stable, it will be easier to stay stable.

Just be consistent--eat every 2 hours or so (not huge meals, but a half sandwich, a handful of nuts, a half apple with peanut butter). This will help to keep you blood sugar relatively steady. As you learn more about your condition and how to control it, you'll learn where your limits are.

You were right, though. Small meals are safer than large ones. Even slow carbohydrates can cause too much of an increase in your blood sugar if you eat a lot. I limit myself to the bread on a sandwich (instead of a sandwich with fruit and chips), or a serving of vegetables and small (1/2 cup or less) serving of something whole-grain, or a serving of high-fiber cereal (eaten with some nuts sprinkled on top and a string cheese or two). If I have any high-carb things at a meal (bread, pasta, brown rice, sweet potatoes), I don't have any others (except green veggies). This keeps my carb load from being too high, and keeps my sugar steady.

It takes some time. I went really strict when I first suspected I was hypo--meat (and fish, poultry), cheese, plain yogurt, berries, green vegetables, nuts, avocado, and old-fashioned oatmeal (not the instant kind). That was all I ate for about three weeks. It helped me to get used to not eating dangerous food, and also showed me how much better I could feel. Before trying that, though, check with your doctor to make sure that it is ok for your kind of hypoglycemia.

Don't worry, you'll be fine!

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 04-15-2004 - 11:57pm

Julie,


You and your questions are not driving us crazy. Your not feeling well is making us anxious because we want you to be okay. You have been given excellent advise by Gabby and Lilly Rose. When you are feeling better make sure you read it again. Also normal range of blood sugar is 80 to 120.


Remember that you purchased glucerna bars for exactly this purpose. If you can't figure out what to eat and it is really hard to make good choices when your blood sugar is crashing, grab what you have already purchased and prepared for this very incident. Prepare your emergency kit when your thinking is clear and then don't try to figure it out while your blood sugar is too low. Just allow yourself to go into auto pilot and eat what you have ready. Believe me,

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2003
Fri, 04-16-2004 - 12:08am
Its very frustrating when its in the 60's because you think o.k if i eat these var will it make it go to high or should i just watch it close to make sure it does not go down any more.I justed tested and im right at 100 so im happy about that.Yes the ladies did give me great info today just like you have when ever i have had a ?.

Once again thank you