Extremely low fasting blood sugar reading. - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

20,301 members38,032 posts

Extremely low fasting blood sugar reading.

Karenjaninaz profile image
9 Replies

I’ve always tended to low blood sugar readings 54-66 fasting. Non fasting it’s about 70. Even on prednisone the condition persists. My sister has the same problem and needs to eat between meals. Today my blood sugar fasting was 42(!), This was 12 hours past a decent supper. No diabetes either side of the family. I’m on 4.25 mg prednisone. The practice recommends consultation with an endocrinologist. I read low cortisol can be a contributor.

Can anyone relate?

Written by
Karenjaninaz profile image
Karenjaninaz
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
9 Replies
SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD

Hello, are you doing this by finger prick yourself? Do you feel ill when it is low? Hypoglycaemia can be a side effect of low cortisol.

Karenjaninaz profile image
Karenjaninaz in reply to SnazzyD

Hi, it was not a finger prick; it was part of a routine blood drawing. It’s not impossible to have a lab error. I will consult a endocrinologist.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

Has it never been investigated before? The fact it pre-dated pred means there was something besides the secondary Addisons that may be part of the problem now you are at such a low dose of pred. I'd definitely be looking for a good endo.

Karenjaninaz profile image
Karenjaninaz in reply to PMRpro

My sister and I always had low blood glucose as well as my 2 sisters in law in Europe . It’s never been measured this low before. I hadn’t taken my prednisone because I hadn’t eaten. It was 12 hours since a reasonable supper and I actually felt rather fine with that reading. Even on higher doses of prednisone my sugar never went up very much. I will consult a recommended endocrinologist.

SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD

I used to have real problems with low blood sugar years ago and it could go from ok to a point of collapse. I think my pancreas was far too reactive. My instinctive solution was to eat something sweet or carby and it was absolutely the wrong thing to do because I got stuck on a boom and bust rollercoaster. It was a number of years before the penny dropped.

Karenjaninaz profile image
Karenjaninaz in reply to SnazzyD

What happened in your case? Over the years I would eat a high protein breakfast with some fats but now I got scared because I have atherosclerosis of my aorta so I am exclusively eating Mediterranean. My diet now is low fat, whole grains and protein. Not that many carbs to speak of. I had part of my small intestine removed and digestion must be affected. Don’t have candy or junk in the house. Orange juice is the quickest if collapsing.

SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD in reply to Karenjaninaz

Do you get intestinal hurry as a result of the op?

Karenjaninaz profile image
Karenjaninaz in reply to SnazzyD

No. I have IBS since many years before; it’s just my digestion takes less time because the small intestine where absorption takes place is shorter but not excessive.

Karenjaninaz profile image
Karenjaninaz

Consulted my rheumatologist; I told him my symptoms. He said probably a lab error. Do a repeat test. In the meantime I saw my cardio who was pleased with my blood lipids after eating mainly Mediterranean. Because I have atherosclerosis of the aorta, cannot tolerate statins or other fat blocking meds he wants to try Repatha injections 2x month which actually remove plaque. My neighbor, a GP with severe heart disease and stents got such good results he was seen this summer mulching his garden, The cardio was not worried about the blood sugar either but we are retesting in 6 weeks. I add 2 blood relatives had ruptured aortic aneurysms. Neither with PMR.

You may also like...

Blood Sugar Monitors. Interesting Read

made interesting reading. BBC News - Doctors question science behind blood sugar diet...

Prednisone and Blood Sugar Levels

long term blood sugar levels until I started the prednisone last August. Since the prednisone, my...

Actemra and Extremely Fast Taper off of Prednisone

that it seemed awfully fast and she just hmmmmed and said you've been reading things on the internet

Steroids and raised blood sugars

the results of my recent blood test. I already have been told that my blood sugar levels are raised...

blood sugar and prednisalone

Has anyone found that their blood sugar has increased since taking steroids? I’ve been on steroids...