Not diabetic but a blood sugar of 3.8?

[Loobieloo27]

Hi all, I'm 28 and I work as a HCA at the local hospital, recently I've felt a little off, spaces out and dizzy on occasions especially during my night shifts.

During one of these episodes I randomly checked my blood sugar as advised my a colleague and it was 3.8, prior to this I'd eaten and had an energy drink about an hour before. I also checked the night before and it was 4.2.

Is this a cause for concern to get checked or could it just be a once off? Thanks for any advice.

If you're diabetic, your blood sugar would be high, not low. It's insulin that makes it go low.

Littlequestion -being a diabetic does not necessarily mean you would be hyperglycaemic. Yes insulin promotes the uptake of sugar into the cells however being diabetic can lead to ‘ poorly controlled blood sugar’ which can manifest as both hyper AND hypoglycaemia, it is for this reason that ambulance crews carry glucose oral gel (glucose that can be taken orally if the patient is awake enough to do so) and glucogen injections (stimulates the release of stored sugars from the liver). Diabetics suffering hypoglycaemia is a medical emergency and can result in coma and death if untreated. OP I would advise contacting your gp and ask for a fasting blood test to be on the safe side.

If you had.eatem, yes that's low. As a diabetic, 3.8 is often classed as 'in range" now with medical professionals. If you had taken or fasting I'd say it was ok.
You can have the opposite condition. Hypoglycemia. I had a friend at school how had this and suffered with hypos a lot but never had high blood sugars. I had not long been diagnosed so didn't question it and actually never looked into it...

I am not diabetic but have always had a tendency to suffer from low blood sugar. I know the signs and carry snacks always. I also eat regularly but breakfast especially needs to be either porridge or better still eggs for me to make it to lunchtime without getting the shakes late morning.

It's quite normal to have levels in the 3s. As others said, not diabetic.