Too many lows

[Oradev]

I hear a lot of members (as well as doctors) saying that too many lows are dangerous. I sometimes have days where I go low (in the 70's) once or twice. Is this considered too many lows or is considered tight control? I could see if my sugars were in the 50's once or twice a day, but that is never the case. Should I be worried about my 70's or just keep doing what I've been doing?

Thanks for the input.

Adam

[LancetChick]

Keep doing what you've been doing. The only lows that can mess with your brain are the ones near zero (no definitive range) which invite seizures. I've also heard statements that any low, if it is repeated often enough, will cause damage, but I haven't seen a shred of evidence to support that theory. When I was on NPH way back when, lows were a way of life for me, and I had many lows in the teens without noticing any lasting effects (I love Lantus), which doesn't prove a thing, but I just thought I'd toss it in. Having said that, however, any low can put you at risk if you are driving, operating dangerous machinery, or are in a position where alertness is essential. I go out of my way now to prevent lows for that very reason, and also to preserve my hypo-awareness.

[notme]

Adam, it sounds to me that you are doing quite well. While the 70's are lower than normal, I am not sure they are dangerous to the body type lows. I think you should certainly talk to your endo next time you see him/her, but I don't think it is cause for concern.

I have many days where my lows are VERY low and I have many of them. It seems once you go there, they come at least in pairs for me. I am working on tighter control without the dangerous lows and it is a balancing act.

Good luck!

[rzrbks]

I don't worry about 70/3.8 if I'm at home---I don't mind being in that range at home.

If I'm out and about, I treat anything lower than 80/4.4 as a low.

The research I've read mentions that the only problems with lows is the short-term impairment of mental functions. The research shows that this impairment disappears when B/G returns to "Normal" levels.

[duck]

I believe it also depends on how long you are low...consider the way your brain needs oxygen: Your brain uses O2 and glucose as its only fuels, really. You can literally deprive your brain of O2 for a few minutes and not cause irreversible damage...and we're talking COMPLETE deprivation. So a couple moderate lows in the 60's/70's daily shouldn't be an issue. Now, lows in the 40's that last for hours--I'd avoid that.

[Funnygrl]

I would say you are doing a great job!

[ant hill]

I hear a lot of members (as well as doctors) saying that too many lows are dangerous. Adam

Adam, Lows are dangerous so how many low events happen in a day? Perhaps you are having too much baseal insulin? :)

[thomasb]

I have pretty much the same readings, and lurk around 70 quite often. on a day when i know what i will be doing, studying etc, i will be in the 75 to 90 range. Figure since i am not doing anything and have total controll, i might as well.

Now, i can be around 50 and still feel fine. that might not be so good i suppose. But it works...

[Oradev]

I never have dangerous lows (< 50), usually they are only in the 70 range.

[shabbie6247]

at which point does the liver dump glucose to counteract a low?

[duck]

at which point does the liver dump glucose to counteract a low?

It varies from person to person. I can assure everyone here MY liver NEVER dumps to correct a low. If I don't catch a low (and it keeps dropping), I'll die. Plain and simple. However, others here can literally trigger a blood sugar of 300 by dropping into the low 60's first.

[adrian29459]

Bear with me as i only know the readings in mmol, but I've had lows many many times, sometimes twice a day of 3.5, and usually on an average about 7-10 a week of 3.9 and under. The lowest I remember testing is 1.8 and at that time I could feel my self getting close to seizure, but I managed to avoid it.

I've told a few people on here about the few recent seizures i've had and I do believe that they actually can damage your brain, but maybe not in the long term. I've had head aches after lows and seizures and also difficulty in doing normal everydays things like moving, balance (only temporary), and recently i've felt its affected both my memory and concentration, but hopefully these are all temporary.

[BlueSky]

I read somewhere that brain damage will only start occuring if BG drops below 10. Most people feel distressed when BG drops below, say 60. But the sensation that you are losing-it is caused by stress hormones. You body is going into shock. But your brain is doing fine and is not in any danger.

Seizures, on the other hand, do cause temporary brain damage which can become permanent if you have lots of them. As I have a history of epilepsy, I have to guard against seizures. And, I am happy to say, that I haven't had one in 4 years (since I started low-carbing).

BG in the 70's won't do you any harm. It is not uncommon for non-diabetics' blood glucose to be at that level, especially teenage girls. Hypo-unawareness is an issue, though. But I think it is something that creeps up on us over time anyway. After 30 years of being T1, I don't feel my BG dropping until it goes below 45.

[pjams]

Hello everybody,
Today I joined the forum. This lookd like an interesting place where many others are just like me, with same type of questions. I was DXed in 1983, originally on al sorts of pills, now on Levemir and Novolog. I am very strict with carb intake and maintaining good numbers all the way. Regarding the "lows" that is being discussed here, my feeling is that it depends on individuals. Some feel them whe the BS goes to 60s or even 70s. Since my normal BS numbers are quite low I am used to have very low numbers without any reaction. One night it was 36 and I got scared. Many nights I wake up with 50s, take two 4 gm. glucose tablets and go back to sleep. No sweating, no shakes.
I certainly don't recommend what I am doing to others. (I mustbe crazy to bring A1C to below 5)
That reminds me to ask, is there such a thing as too low A1C?

Pjams

[KittyCat70]

With a blood glucose level in the 70s you are doing just fine! I believe that the "official" recognized range if from 70 to 120.
Keep doing whatever you are as it must be best for you!

KittyCat70

[spirosway]

Hi!!!if you have low under 70 your body destroy brains cells and others....try to keep above 70 and under 130!!!thats perfect!!!(75-120 best range)

[Cyborg]

Hi!!!if you have low under 70 your body destroy brains cells and others....try to keep above 70 and under 130!!!thats perfect!!!(75-120 best range)

I don't agree at all... I asked my endo when I had to treat since I feel fine in the 70's. I was told to treat at 60. I don't drive unless my bg is up to 80...