Non diabetic levels?

[Laurenjf]

I was 5.1 before breakfast and then 2 hours after I am 4.0 but then just tested again and it’s gone up to 4.4 on its own, I don’t actually feel shaky at the moment either so I’m not sure what’s going on

[Praveen55 Star]

These numbers are not in diabetic range. However, this s not a complete test for diabetes. Below 4 is considered LOW leading to HYPO which is not good. What was the reason for you to monitor blood glucose? Do you suspect blood glucose going LOW or you think you may be diabetic? Some variations in blood glucose will always be there, that is normal.

However, if you feel the symptoms of low blood glucose frequently after eating, you should get it tested properly. It can be what is called Functional Hypoglycaemia. Early diagnosis and preventive actions are always good.

What did you have in the breakfast?

[Laurenjf in reply to Praveen55]

I suspect it going low. I haven’t seen it under 4 though as it goes back up on its own. What is functional Hypoglycemia?

[Praveen55 Star in reply to Laurenjf]

You did not tell me what did you have in the breakfast? Have you talked to your GP about this in the past?

[Laurenjf in reply to Praveen55]

I had weetabix. Yes they said im fine but I’ve had no tests for this

[Praveen55 Star in reply to Laurenjf]

Thanks Laurenjf for the info. Functional or Reactive hypoglycemia is associated with sudden drop in blood glucose following a carb-rich meal consumption like your breakfast.It can happen with non-diabetic people and it can be a sign of pre-diabetes or some impaired glucose response function. It is easy to miss by two hour post-meal test.

Standard OGTT( oral glucose tolerance test) done by NHS is not sufficient because that monitors blood glucose only at two points - fasting and 2-hr PP. Like your self-monitoring results of 5.1 and 4 will indicate that your glucose response is very good. However, to confirm Functional hypoglycemia, OGTT has to run for three hours and blood glucose should be monitored every half an hour. The person suffering from Functional Hypo.. will see high rise in blood glucose( much higher that the fasting value) may be one hour after standard dose of glucose consumption and then sudden drop to low value- it need not go to hypo range.

This metabolic disorder can be fixed by incorporating simple dietary changes. Key is reducing the carbohydrate intake. For example, have a breakfast of salmon and green veg one morning and monitor your blood glucose. Avoid cereal and low fat milk. Use complex carb and protein rich breakfast. Reduce overall consumption of carbohydrate and replace it with healthy fat.

[Laurenjf in reply to Praveen55]

Thankyou. I am trying to figure out why they drop after eating instead of going up? But I have not seen it go below 4 and it seems to creep back up on its own if I do go to 4 it will go back to about 4.7 on its own after a while. Is this a sign of non diabetic Hypoglycemia or not?

[Praveen55 Star in reply to Laurenjf]

Laurenjf , your blood glucose level will be spiking between 45-60 minutes after consuming carb-rich meal ( weetabix + milk) and due to reactive hypoglycemia it drops to low value at which time you are monitoring your blood glucose. if you monitor BG after one hour you may capture the spike. If the spike is within limit, there should not be any cause for concern. The low after two hours means your BG regulating system is working very efficiently.

It is normal for BG to creep back up little after hitting low. Insulin supply is stopped and liver will be producing glucose in response to low BG. This process is normal. If you feel light-headed or dizzy then you have to take some preventive measure. As such, your numbers are safe and you should not be stressed at all. Because that can make things worse. Follow a healthy diet.

[Laurenjf in reply to Praveen55]

My spike usually goes to the 5s and then back down to the 4s, I’m not 100% what is classed as reactive Hypoglycemia as people I’ve spoke to keep telling me different things.

[Praveen55 Star in reply to Laurenjf]

If you never spike beyond 5s, you are perfectly fine. There is no issue in my opinion unless you feel some physical symptoms otherwise.

Reactive hypoglycemia is characterised by the fast rate at which blood glucose drops. There is a medical guideline at what rate it should fall to qualify as reactive hypo. THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE PRESENT IN YOUR CASE. NO WORRIES FOR YOU.

A person suffering from reactive hypoglycemia will spike to high BG > 11 and then very quickly( may be in 15 minutes or so) BG will drop to low value ( may not go below 4). The wide excursion in the blood glucose in a short period of time may give some physical symptoms e.g. dizziness, light-headed, confusion etc.

[Praveen55 Star in reply to Praveen55]

I wish I had your numbers - Between 4 and < 6 !

[Theziggy]

If you had weetabix, your levels are definitely not in a diabetic level. In fact, your BG level dropped after the meal! My levels would be very high after a weetabix for breakfast!!!! Have you been diagnosed as diabetic? Why are you testing your BH levels?

Unless you have non-diabetic hypoglycemia??

[Laurenjf in reply to Theziggy]

I’m trying to work out wether I have non diabetic Hypoglycemia. My levels seem to go lower after food but always stay around the 4s. I’ve never spiked after food in fact I never seem to go above 5.6! Is this good or bad??