Gestational Diabetes and sugars dropping low

[hopingfor23]

Hi,

Diagnosed with GD at 28 weeks now 31 and after the initial shock and upset got my head round it all and diet is controlling day sugars. On 1500mg metformin of an eve as fasting sugars always high.

I got the Libra freestyle sensor last week as sick of pricking my fingers and stressing and it's great such a god send however it's letting me know my blood sugars are dropping very low at certain times. Overnight it happens a lot whilst sleeping and now whenever I do any kind of activity such as shopping, chores etc it also drops low. I can almost predict it now as I feel weak, exhausted and sweaty. I'm waking like I have a hangover.

Has anyone had similar? I'm worrying sick about my placenta not working properly as per dr google. Got a scan on Friday to check this as had reduced movements yesterday but just keen to hear anyone else who's ever had similar? X

Set the alarm so it alerts you before you drop low and have some sugar then. My son is type one and this is what we do.

I’d speak to your diabetes midwife, the sensors can be inaccurate, but if you’re not on insulin as I understand it I don’t think you can have genuine hypos which need treating with sugar, so I wouldn’t be following the above advice (I’m a two times gestational diabetic, second time from 9 weeks and Metformin controlled)

Hey OP. I’m also 31 weeks but found out earlier than 28 weeks that had GD - I basically tested myself as my Dad is Type 2. I’m using the NHS kit and also on the same metaformin amount as you due to high fasting levels. Apparently when our body is hungry our liver starts producing sugar hence why they are high when we wake up. Anyway I’ve had some lows because like you I know when it’s coming. I always carry a chocolate bar or something sugary with me incase it happens. Mine however isn’t a daily occurrence so they didn’t seem worried. I’d email your diabetes midwife and ask what they think. My contact is on the front of my orange booklet they give you (assuming your area does the same as mine)

Just to add, I was advised that a gestational diabetes-friendly snack was the best thing to have in the event of low blood sugar / the symptoms you mention - a handful of nuts, oatcake etc. It’s in no way the same as type one diabetes and shouldn’t be treated with chocolate!

My diabetes nurse said I’m ok to have chocolate, might be different for all people but I have chocolate once a day even if my sugar isn’t low and it doesn’t spike

If you feel shaky, you should do a finger prick test to confirm and if it is low have some cola or other sugary drink (this is the fastest acting for me).

Having said that, there is something known as a 'compression low' with blood glucose sensors. This is basically when you lie on the sensor and the tissue below gets squashed and can't get an accurate reading, so it isn't a true hypo.

I would suggest using the Libre alarms as a previous poster suggested, and also a finger prick test to ascertain what's really going on because if you're having hypos, you're on too high a dose of metformin.

Anecdotally, I had a lot of night hypos when I was pregnant (I have type 1).

You are not truly hypo on metformin & do not need to take hypo treatment.

You can switch off the low alarm if it's stopping you sleeping or annoying you.

Glucose levels of 3.5-4.0 mol are normal in pregnancy.

Hi ladies thanks for the replies all really helpful. I'm staring to wonder if the libra is reliable? I have done a couple of finger prick tests to compare and seem ok but several people have said they're much less accurate. I do wonder why my hospital would approve use and have it linked if that was the case but will ask tomorrow when I'm in for a scab and may go back on to finger pricking 😩

Hey OP - the libre measures glucose in the interstitial fluid below the skin, rather than the blood glucose you check with finger-pricking - so there's a delay factor in libre readings.

As a HCP it's accurate enough for our purposes of looking for patterns etc but some patients don't trust them. It does save finger pricking though & gives us much more info for making clinical decisions.

And there's also sensor compression which someone mentioned above.

The main thing is to reassure you that it's not true hypos with metformin - but you might feel better by eating a small amount of carbohydrate - up to 10-15g eg oatcake, satsuma etc. if it's happening outside of meals

@RoséProsecco the snow so much for this reply I do prefer it and the drops do coincide with me feeling utterly rubbish so I do trust it but had a few people planting doubts...

I have found a GD friendly protein bar/snack when it starts going low helpful and one late on before bed seemed to also help so there must be something in it. Biggest issues is day to day stuff as I'm exhausted and self employed so going off sick is tricky financially. I also worry that there's a placenta issue and that's why it's happening as when my son was born via emergency c section the placenta was in a bad way with sprinting/bleeding etc and we nearly lost him. They think now it was undiagnosed GD so I feel a bit of a nervous wreck 🙈🙈🙈

@RoséProsecco should say thanks so much*!