Hypo's third trimester, not diabetic

[Nibletmum]

Has anyone experienced frequent hypo's without being diabetic? I'm 35 weeks now and for the past couple of weeks I'm having sudden drops where I feel nauseous and tired. Lowest has been 3.2mmols. Highest BM I've had since keeping an eye on them was 6.9mmols after a big meal.
I'm eating normally - 3 meals a day. Not a massive snacker but never have been.

As an example, 9am today fresh orange juice with 2 slices toast and peanut butter (fat granary bread) Had 3 cookies with the kids at 11.15. Felt ill at 12.15 and I was 3.6mmols.
I've mentioned it to the midwife, have GTT booked for the 3rd as I'm measuring 1 week over but she wasn't too concerned. It's worrying me though!

Id keep off the orange juice and high sugar stuff, sounds likenyour body having trouble processing it in late pregnancy

Why are you checking your blood sugar if you're not diabetic?

The problem is that 3.6mmol isn't a hypo, it's a perfectly healthy, normal blood sugar reading. It's slightly different if you are diabetic because of the way insulin works and the body won't step in and correct it if it continued to fall. That's not to say that you didn't feel unwell at that reading, but its unlikely to be connected. It's easy to say, I know, but the more you worry about it, the more symptomatic you are likely to become. Why are you checking regularly? I'd lay off the regular readings, and eat small regular meals with a top up snack of protein if you feel unwell in between.

3.6 is hypo. Normal blood sugars are 4 - 7.

A blood sugar level of between 3.3 or 3.9 mmol/L (60 to 70 mg/dL) is generally considered the lower limit for blood glucose. However, symptoms of hypoglycemia do not usually manifest until levels have reached a low of between 2.8 to 3.0 mmol/L (50 to 54 mg/dL).

26 Feb 2019

www.news-medical.net/health/Defining-Hypoglycemia.aspx

For a non diabetic - that isn't really a hypo - or it's debatable anyway.

"However, symptoms of hypoglycemia do not usually manifest until levels have reached a low of between 2.8 to 3.0 mmol/L "

WTF?

Where are you getting this from? What website?

I completely disagree with that. Massively. 2.8? You are fucking talking shit. At 2.8 I feel bad. I can spot myself going low, I can feel myself slipping at about 4.3 or 4.6.

Low blood sugar is called hypoglycemia. A blood sugar level below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) is low and can harm you. A blood sugar level below 54 mg/dL (3.0 mmol/L) is a cause for immediate action.

I just copied and pasted that.

Are you a Diabetic consultant?

I am a type 1 diabetic, of 48 years.

Where are you getting this from? What website?

The poster pe

Oops!

The poster provided the exact link Oblomov!

The point being OP isn't diabetic. So the situation is different to yours.

Ok. Sorry. I see her link.
But I still disagree. 2.8 is very low.

"The point being OP isn't diabetic. So the situation is different to yours."

I completely disagree again. If the person was non diabetic, or completely normal, then they wouldn't be having low blood sugars. at all.

@Oblomov21 - sorry as I didn't mean to offend anyone.

I'm a nurse and I have pre-diabetes, so regularly check my own sugars.

I definitely am not disagreeing that 2.8mmol/l is too low for anyone - whether diabetic or not. But to be fair, the OP never said her blood sugars had been that low.

None taken.
But we need the best careful. Quoting statements can be misleading. That link, I don't agree with that statement. At all. re 2.8 being 'manifest itself'.

For years both on Daphnie courses, hypo awareness courses, everything they try and get you to recognise your symptoms as early as possible.

I would hope as you were dropping, before you hit 4. Not at 2 point fucking 8.

Relax with the language and aggression @Oblomov21 it’s Christmas after all!!
The op is not diabetic. A level under 4 is not that concerning for a non diabetic. In fact it’s not even that concerning for someone with gestational diabetes unless they are on insulin which the OP is not. I agree 2.8 is too low. But 3.6 is not scary territory at all.
@Nibletmum it could be that you do have GD and you are spiking and crashing because of the high sugar things you are consuming, that would be that your blood sugar goes high very quick but then crashes down, that can make you feel ill. Or it could be that you have normal sugars and being 35 weeks pregnant is just a bit crappy! Hang in there xx

sorry correction @Nibletmum* I see it was 3.2 not 3.6.
Yes it is low but if you’re not on insulin there’s not too much to do.
As your test isn’t for a week and a half, could you maybe look in to following the gestational diabetes diet until then. It will help you maybe regulate your sugars. It could skew your GTT result though but at 36/37 weeks pregnant there’s not much that can really change if you do have GD. So if you can maybe try the diet for a few day’s and see does it help xx

I have gestational diabetes, and I'm diet controlled and have went to 3.2mmol and was told this is perfectly fine! It's not a hypo unless you are medicated. This was confirmed by my diabetic consultant as I phoned her as I was worried my levels were too low.

Definitely do think you have GD though and hopefully once you change your diet you can control your Sugars.

Massive good luck to you.

Start snacking! Everyone's blood sugars jump around based on how often and what we're eating and pregnancy just puts more pressure on the body to regulate itself.
Introduce some regular snacks to avoid peaks and drops. Avoid anything too high in sugar (including natural sugar).

Thanks all, didn't mean to start a debate 😳😂

Yes I thought things would be different if medicated - luckily I know it's happening so will keep an eye. Not quite as worried now.

Hope you all have a wonderful Xmas xx

I was told as a diabetic that hypos in pregnancy are a sign of a degrading placenta. Not sure if it’s the same for non diabetics but worth getting checked?