FBG - too low?

[DrH]

Hi Everyone! I am newly diagnosed, so let me apologize for my ignorance! I am fully aware of the ramifications of having high BS, but I am not familiar with any possible negative effects of low BS. For the past 10 days or so, my FBG has been running much lower - in the high 50s to the high 60s; however, I feel fantastic! Actually, I have never felt better in my life! I guess you can say my body has finally adjusted to lower numbers as I felt horrible for the first month of so after starting Metformin. I believe someone mentioned the false-hypo syndrome as my BS was normal or even slightly elevated, yet I had no energy and felt dizzy, etc.

Anyway, I firmly believe the recent drop in my numbers has been due to a lack of eating (not the medication) - I am going through a very difficult time with my mother who has Alzheimer's and the stress is unbelievable and for whatever reason, I have not been eating very much (I started to eat somewhat better two days ago). Anyway, back to my question - should I try to get my FBG higher? Are there any negative side effects of low BS? Last, I know there is a correlation between high BS and weight gain; is there a correlation between low BS and weight loss? In other words, should I expect weight loss with low BS? Thanks - Jill

[Charran]

I'm no expert on this subject and every person's body is so different. At those numbers I would be a shaking mess. I do think our bodies gradually adapt to lower numbers. I know mine has, but once I go lower than 80, I start feeling the effects of being too low. It would be interesting to know the correlation between BG and weight loss. Hopefully someone has an answer to that one.

[WFL112]

I am not an expert, I just happened on these studies while I was looking for info on impaired fasting glucose.

Essentially, they show a "J" curve, showing increased all cause
mortality with lower FBG. So give your diet a little tweak, you are so close to being "just right"!


http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/cont...ha;101/17/2047

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/28/11/2756

[eddiemcm]

Low glucose means that a person does not heve adequate
fuel(glucose) for energy and some life support systems.The
point where symptoms set in is a little different for everyone.
Shakiness,confusion are generally the first symptoms.Those
symptoms hit me when I'm in the 60's.I've been there 2 or 3 times because of glyburide.Since I switched from glyburide to
glipizide ER,I don't go hypo anymore.
Eddie

[Daryl]

Hi Jill :wave: Yes, too low blood sugar can be extremely dangerous, it can cause seizures, and you can go into a coma.

Some people don't have warning signs of hypoglycemia:

http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_control_tips/hypoglycemia_unawareness.php

As for weight loss, I doubt low blood sugar would help there!

[RobLL]

I think most of us would try to avoid readings under somewhere around 75. Have you talked with your doctor? I recommend it.

[DrH]

Thanks for the replies! These lower numbers are a new thing and I attribute them to the fact that I was not eating much for about a week. My numbers are good this morning 81. I will talk to my doctor about this. One thing I have learned is the importance of eating when taking Metformin - that's for sure!