Help please

[starsign]

Last night my friend had a reading of 74 which is way too low for him. Doctor had said to eat some sweet if he ever went below 80. He was feeling weak and queasy for about an hour or so till he slept.

He takes 2 x 500 mg Glucored Forte.

Is there something I can/ should do or take some precautions at times like these.

[skb]

I'm sorry, I missed your post & failed to respond earlier. A reading of 74 is not really a "low". These are known as false hypos. It's the brain and body's way of protesting about being lower than the level they are accustomed to.

The drug that you mention is a combination pill of metformin & glibenclamide which is a sulfonylurea class of drug. These drugs try to extract more insulin from the pancreas. If you are restricting carbs, it's very likely that the extra insulin was responsible for that reading. Ideally a small protein snack is called for at times like this & that should help you tide over the immediate crisis. But, long term you should look at changing the combo pill to that of metformin alone. Talk to your doctor about it & let's see what he has to say.

[Shalynne]

Just saw this myself.

Doctors are scared of lows -- so scared, they may try to keep us high so they can feel better.  We are not responsible for their feelings.  70s - 80s are NOT hypos.

My own guideline:

--  70s.  Time to find something LCHF to eat.
--  60s.  Time to find something LCHF to eat -- NOW.
--  50s.  Treat.  But treat cautiously.  One glucose tab, followed within 15 minutes by an LCHF meal, usually does the trick.

NOTE:  In each of the above instances, an aggressive level of test-test-test is the rule.  Test 15 minutes after eating.  If your glucose is going up -- good. 

Test again about an hour later to make sure your glucose doesn't rise too high.

The oldest diabetic meds -- including Metformin -- are still the safest.  You'll probably want to ask your doc to switch to Metformin only.

We care.  Please keep us posted!

[Shanny]

My own guideline:snip

One like is not good enough here . . .

[skb]

starsign,

Just today we have uploaded an article to the website on What is normal Blood Sugar. I'm certain that it will be of great value to you under the circumstances.

[starsign]

Thank you one and all for the replies and the guidance. skb, I'm reading the article right now. Very informative & eye opening. Thank you once again. We shall take up the continuation of the drugs with the doctor at the next appointment.