Diet Controlled GD - Low Readings

[Newky]

For all you ladies who are diet controlled, has your midwife/dietician mentioned what to do when you get really low readings? No one has mentioned this to me but in my notes it has a typed section which talks about 'hypo's'. Apparently if your after meal readings are lower than 3.5 you might feel unwell, risk of unconciousness etc. Does this just apply to ladies controlled with insulin, or are low readings bad news even if your only diet controlled? I'd had a couple of low readings (bout 3.3ish) last time I had an appointment and they wern't flagged up, but the last few days readings have been low in general, and my after dinner reading Sat was 2.4, and after dinner Sun 3.3. Then after breakfast reading today was 2.9. Is this bad? Not sure what's going on as i'm not eating less, for example I had the exact same breakfast today that I had last week, and my reading last week was in the high 4's? x

 

[Tanikit]

I am on insulin, but when explaining diabetes to friends I would often measure their sugar levels and sometimes they were very low (in the 2s) and the person would feel and act normal. It depends what you are used to and how well your brain functions at low levels. The lower you manage to keep your levels the faster they can fall and the more likely you are to slip into a coma or become unable to function before you realise it.

They say your levels should be around 4 and over though I know I can function on anything more than 3.0 so I tend only to treat a hypo when it is less than 3 unless I know it is falling in which case I eat anyway. 2.4 at an after dinner reading is very very low as after meals is when you should get your highest readinings so then you probably should treat it - try eating or drinking something with a slightly higher GI than you usually eat (now is the time for carbohydrates and even fruit juice to bring it up and then follow that with a sendwich with some protein which will keep your levels up a bit for a few hours without taking them too high.

Good luck. Oh yes, and get them to check your placenta if you have a scan as sugar levels normally rise the further into pregnancy you go - if they start to fall it may mean the placenta is aging and you are not quite far enough for that yet. (Lowering readings are usually seen after about 36 weeks pregnancy)

 

[bexyd31]

Hi Newky,

I am also using insulin, so not diet controlled sorry but started having hypo's (blood sugar below 3.5) quite regulary since about 35 weeks. I can now feel one coming -I feel sick, very shaky, a bit cross and a little muzzy in the head! I start to feel pretty unwell at a reading of 3.2, so a little higher than you and if I go under 3 then I get a very cold sweat and feel awful -not pleasant!!

I have been advised if I have a hypo to get some sugar in my system quick (so glucose tablets, a glass of water with a couple of teaspoons of sugar stirred in, fruit juice or chocolate) and the have something 20 mins or so later to level out my blood sugar level - like a banana or a slice of seeded bread. It does work and within 30 mins I feel much better.

It sounds to me like you may need a little extra bit of good carbs with your meals or make sure you have a snack inbetween meals (I have found banana's or a couple of oatcakes or sugar free yogurt have been good) to stop you going too low. When are you next seeing your diabetes team - I would probably check out your readings with a professional.

Bexy x x

 

[Newky]

Thanks for the replies ladies, I have an appointment with the diabetic doctor next week so will definetly be bringing it up then. Maybe I just need to add a few more carbs to my meals, it's so difficult to strike a balance sometimes though! I must say I haven't felt unwell at all when readings have been low Tanikit that is pretty scary about the placenta ageing! I haven't been offered another scan so far. They mentioned at my last appointment that I MAY need one, but as my sugars have been good and fundal measurements have been fine I don't think think they feel there is a need for one yet. If I keep getting low readings over the next couple of days I might give my midwife a ring. x