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Real members of DiabetesTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

How LOW Is Too Low For YOU?

A DiabetesTeam Member asked a question πŸ’­
Inverary, ON

Particularly in those newly diagnosed or while you are making changes to "the way you eat" (diet really conjures up a different thought process), you may start to experience blood sugar levels that seem really Low to you

The basic rule is, low blood sugar starts at either 70 or 72 points/3.9 or 4.0 mmols

Low blood sugar becomes "deadly" once it hits 35 points or 2.0 mmols

There is a big grey area in between those upper and lower limits

Type 2 being a metabolic disorder means that sometimes… read more

September 23 (edited)
β€’
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A DiabetesTeam Member

@A DiabetesTeam Member yes, the (over ride) would still work on Metformin - the safety hormone that is released is Cortisol and a neurotransmitter called Catecholamines which will work against the Metformin which is simply lowering the level of Glucose being generated (naturally without hormone intervention)

A good jolt of adrenaline (epinephrine) would have the same effect (think waking from a nightmare which can really jack your sugar levels

Kinda like starting an old tractor with an Ether Bomb - the Cortisol in particular will cause a "short sugar blast" to be released

It would take Insulin, either supplemental or from a long release Sulfonylurea to cancel out that small glucose dump

I see this effect quite often myself with my night time lows and the total effect it has on me is about a 1.5 mmol (25'ish point) jump from baseline. So when I'm in the low 3's it will bump me into the low/mid 4's and kinda stop there - just enough to take you out of the danger zone (unlike dawn effect/phenomena when the liver throws a sugar party - a handful of hormones are all calling for fuel in (that) effect)

4 days ago
A DiabetesTeam Member

Thank you dear Graham the info you share with us is priceless tc......πŸ™

September 25
A DiabetesTeam Member

I had a hypo at 80 today, I chewed 2 glucose tablets, reached 103 15 minutes later. The shakiness, confusion, sweating, and weakness were present during the hypo.

September 23
A DiabetesTeam Member

Thank you Graham! So many times when I post a low number, I get comments like aren't you worried? What are you doing to correct the low number? Etc. I probably have a low number like 65 or 70 once or twice a month but the rest of my blood sugar numbers are never over 100 anymore and usually are in the 80s now. I don't have any negative reactions when I do have a low number altho I've read that most people do.

September 23
A DiabetesTeam Member

@A DiabetesTeam Member I hear you

I'm used to seeing a 3.something but when it starts with a "2" I break out the emergency chocolate donuts 😁

Low 3's or lower regardless of whether you take meds or not is "time to treat"

September 24 (edited)

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