Low blood sugar - always diabetes?

[elidelochanthefirst]

I have a chronic pain condition & fibro which produces a wonderful cocktail of symptoms. I'm often exhausted, light headed, sweating, always thirsty and many more.

My pain management consultant suggested I do a diabetes test. Hard to get appointment at GP so I got a home kit. I did it 3x this afternoon and my blood sugar was 1.5, 2.2, 1.8

I ate 5 haribo and did it again 15 mins later and it was 7.5

Im obviously going to call GP tomorrow and get this all checked out but interested if this could be NOT diabetes? Can you just be prone to low blood sugar? I will admit I'm not really a grazer or snacker so I do go longish periods without eating but I eat very healthily.

All the symptoms taken together suggest it may be that you are often/constantly in fight or flight, which is common in people with fibro. It causes blood sugar to be low, because too much adrenaline is produced too often, which impacts insulin production and then blood sugar levels.

If this is the case, then working on ways to switch off the over active fight or flight response will make a huge difference and you’re likely to see the fibromyalgia and other symptoms diminish, if not disappear as well as the sugar levels normalising.

If you are not taking any insulin or other blood sugar lowering meds (but mainly insulin) then low blood sugar is not indicative of diabetes which is high blood sugar. A diabetic can have low blood sugar, but it is (usually) caused by an insulin overdose.

Given your other symptoms Id place bets on it being adrenalin related as a previous poster suggests BUT you do need to be properly checked out as those readings are very very low. There are many causes of low blood sugar, some serious some less so. You do need to continue tracking your blood sugar to see if there is a regular pattern to it and I would also document what you eat at what time and compare it to your blood sugar pattern, whilst you are waiting for an appointment.

I have a chronic condition which causes symptoms similar to fibro, one of the worst problems it causes me is hypoglycemia, i start getting symptoms at 4.2mmol so definitely have to keep an eye on my blood sugar, I use the freestyle libre, saves me having to do finger tests several times a day and gives you an alert if you drop out of whatever range you set. Definitely speak to your GP, it could be as simple as you're not eating regularly enough or the right foods but always best to get it checked out just to be safe, the symptoms during a hypo are horrible, definitely be careful and always keep something on hand to raise your glucose levels if you feel low.

Oh this has been so helpful thank you!

I do so much to calm my nervous system. Yoga, Pilates, Reiki, Massage, Gong Baths! It's an absolute quest for calm 😆

These are very low & can be quite serious. I would take regular readings tonight and if below 4 - treat and test again ten mins later, if not up after ten mins repeat the treatment but if they don't come up I would seek help tonight -

I would also set an alarm tomorrow and test first thing - take a photo of recordings - you may not be able to go that long without food at the moment for a variety of reasons that need investigating?

Before bed, I would have cereal or toast or something carb based -

See GP first thing and show all lows - below 4 & certainly below 3.5 needs attention.

Oh crikey. I don't normally eat before bed but I've just had some cheerios. I'll call doctors at 8am and get an appointment

I would test before bed tonight - in my opinion (not doctor) if below 4 this would
Be a worry to go that long over night -

I appreciate you may be living like this for a while or it could be new so needs a review.

You may want to phone 111 depending on pre sleep result -

It was 6. Hopefully that's OK

6 is normal range - would still set an alarm so not to oversleep or go too long from last eating & do a test on wake up.

Some people do have reactive hypoglycemia after eating, others low from fasting/not eating etc & other causes etc - so I would keep regular testing and documenting - along with food dairy.

Hope GP helpful tomorrow.

How are you @elidelochanthefirst

GP thought the 1.5 reading was wrong as she said I'd be in a coma! They have me a new reader and at the GP it was 4.2 which considering I'd had breakfast was quite low. Blood test next week. I've had some frutellas with me after exercise etc so trying to be careful

Thanks for asking! ❤️

Hope all goes with the blood test - did they ask you to keep testing?

Would keep a bit of a pattern if you can -