How do I know when my blood sugar is too low?

[Searchy]

It was just about mid morning snack time and I all of a sudden got shakey ... so I tested and my BG was 72. I haven't seen it that low since I was diagnosed a week and two days ago. So I'm guessing that's too low ... so what is too low. Like scary not be able to function low.

What other signs do I look for without testing that my blood sugar is too low?

I haven't changed anything I've been doing except I had 2 eggs this morning instead of 1. :(

I didn't like that feeling.

[foxl]

Remind me what meds you are on ...

You will get to know that shaky feeling. Keep glucose tabs or other fast-acting sugars handy to deal with it ...

I HATED it.

[Searchy]

I'm on Glocophage(metformin) 500mg 3x daily
and Glucotrol(glipizide) 1x 10mg morning daily

[poodlebone]

For someone without diabetes, 72 is a perfectly normal number. You felt bad because your BG had probably been running much higher prior to diagnosis. If you are able to keep steady control, that 72 may not show any symptoms in the future.

The shakes & sweats are two classic low symptoms but it is always best to use your meter to determine if you're low or not. I've had weird feeling when my BG was higher than normal but not really high, like in the 150s. They could have easily been confused with a low and if I had eaten something it would have made things worse - pushing my BG even higher.

[fgummett]

Going just by the numbers, I think most authorities would agree that 72mg/dl is at the low end of the normal range (70 -125mg/dl by my books) but is not strictly hypoglycemic.

However if you have been running with high BGs for some time, the body may become accustomed to those levels, such that you may feel low as you start to get down to normal levels. This generally passes in time as you get re-accustomed to normal levels.

Also bear in mind that BG meters may not be 100% accurate, and that a BG reading is just a single snapshot in time... you'll need a series of readings to establish if your BG is stable, going up or going down. It seems to be often reported on here that rapid changes down (or sometimes up) can cause stronger hypo feelings than gradual changes.

[Searchy]

. You felt bad because your BG had probably been running much higher prior to diagnosis.

My BG was 409 at diagnosis. I haven't got my a1c back yet so I really have no idea how long I was going around not knowing.

[foxl]

Yeah, and when you get shaky, even if it IS a so-called "false hypo," you treat it -- for your own comfort. It will come down and you will find you go lower for the same sensation, in time.

Hang in there. Glipizide does cause lows, however doesn't it?

[dbaratta]

It was just about mid morning snack time and I all of a sudden got shakey ... so I tested and my BG was 72. I haven't seen it that low since I was diagnosed a week and two days ago. So I'm guessing that's too low ... so what is too low. Like scary not be able to function low.

What other signs do I look for without testing that my blood sugar is too low?

I haven't changed anything I've been doing except I had 2 eggs this morning instead of 1. :(

I didn't like that feeling.


For me I get mind confusion, shaky, really weak.......

[Searchy]

Yeah, and when you get shaky, even if it IS a so-called "false hypo," you treat it -- for your own comfort. It will come down and you will find you go lower for the same sensation, in time.

Hang in there. Glipizide does cause lows, however doesn't it?

Yeah from my reading it can cause lows.

[foxl]

I get CRABBY!

I was on Glimepiride for like a week after dx, with instructions to stop it if I had hypos so I DID. I really hated the hypos -- some however were in the 90's, even.

[fgummett]

As for "other signs"... there really is no substitute for BG testing but I've had a couple of lows in the past, most often after a gym session which I would finish off by doing a Tai Chi routine.. the first thing I'd notice was that my physical coordination was falling off... it's a weird feeling when your body does not respond accurately to commands -- without being drunk that is :D then shaky, sickly, sweaty...

[Tribbles]

I would treat 72 because your levels might still be dropping and I wouldn't want it much under that. Actually I would watch anything under 80 and treat anything under 75. You can put off treating but it forces down the point where you get those feelings and that is not really a good thing once the trigger point gets below 70.

[musique913]

I had a 62 this afternoon and I was wondering why I was so shaky..explains a lot...I was totally grouchy too!

I wonder if that is common seeing that Foxl said the same!

[imac]

It is a good thing that you get a warning of hypos, a lot of people dont until they wake up in the er. I get the shakes and sweats and what is a bigger worry I get confused and do not know what to do.

[foxl]

I had a 62 this afternoon and I was wondering why I was so shaky..explains a lot...I was totally grouchy too!

I wonder if that is common seeing that Foxl said the same!

Angela, we have had threads here about people becoming violent in lows ... so grouchy seems to be only the beginning ... :confused: Some of the stories are pretty funny, others are kinda scary.

[Searchy]

It is a good thing that you get a warning of hypos, a lot of people dont until they wake up in the er. I get the shakes and sweats and what is a bigger worry I get confused and do not know what to do.

Yeah I don't want that to happen.

This is the 2nd low episode I've had with those feelings. The other was when I was 2 days out of the hospital and didn't have my meter with me, but I was clammy and sweaty and shaking.

Now of course I know to bring my meter with me wherever I go.

[Emmitt]

It was just about mid morning snack time and I all of a sudden got shakey ... so I tested and my BG was 72. I haven't seen it that low since I was diagnosed a week and two days ago. So I'm guessing that's too low ... so what is too low. Like scary not be able to function low.

What other signs do I look for without testing that my blood sugar is too low?

I haven't changed anything I've been doing except I had 2 eggs this morning instead of 1. :(

I didn't like that feeling. It is def one of the worst feelings . I was having 48-55 in the middle of the night on a regular basis thank god i wake myself up. Shaky and sweaty are some of my symtoms when I go below 70 and i get very pale. I discribe the feeling as if you had drank a 12 pack of beer in 10 min after not sleeping for 2 days it is terrible. keep your meter close. Dont be afraid to prick that finger whenever nessesary