Diabetes Forum - How Low Is Too Low?

I posted this on the pregnancy forum, but I was hoping I might get some answers or input here, too. I was very recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

I know this is a lot of crap to read, please bear with me...

I went to the diabetes center yesterday to get a monitor and have them show me how to use it. I'm supposed to check my blood sugar levels 4 times a day: before breakfast and 2 hours after each meal.

When I went in, it was three hours after I had eaten, but we took it anyway and recorded it like it had been 2. It was 109. Now, the guidelines she gave me says I don't want it to be above 120 at the 2-hours-after mark. So 109 is pretty significantly lower (i think), but I didn't think much about it because it had been an extra hour.

I took it again two hours after dinner, and it was 92. This morning it was 70. I don't know what the morning number is supposed to be, but that still seems low to me. My fasting number, which is pretty much the same thing, when I took the glucose test was 96, and the nurse commented on how "great" that was because it was so low. But 70?

Maybe I don't know anything, but those numbers seem really low to me. I don't want to call and be freaking out or anything until I have a full day of testing under my belt, but I was wondering if anybody here knew anything about it. How low is too low? Should I be concerned?

Replies(6)

WILDCARD

replied on June 13th, 2006

New User

How Low Is to Low?

Well I dont know what to low would be , but my Dr. Wants mine to be around 70--90 he tells me that when mine is getting too low to eat me a piece of hard candy, I can tell when mine is getting too low by the way I feel , I get very nervous and shaky, that happens when mine reaches around 65--69,,he has never actually said a number on too low to me

hope you get along ok

wildcard

Lalee

replied on June 14th, 2006

Active User, very eHealthy

Thanks. :)

katiestiglec

replied on June 16th, 2006

New User

If you're testing blood with a lab-certified plasma calibrated device (and you aren't, if you're doing this at home), 65 mg/dl is pretty low.

Home meters showing 70mg or even 65 mg/dl could still be off by 20% in either direction.

If you were taking insulin, this is probably too low, and should be treated with glucose or a snack to keep it from dropping any lower. In your case, 70 mg is wonderful.

Your doctor is having you test for hyperglycemia (diabetes is hyperglycemia).

Lalee

replied on June 16th, 2006

Active User, very eHealthy

Katie,
no, I am not on insulin. I went to the doctor yesterday for a checkup and they looked at my numbers. They said i'm doing just fine, which was a relief.

Anyway, I read the comments you made on my post in the pregnancy forum, and I wanted to say thanks for taking the time to help!

young121

replied on June 10th, 2009

New User

30-50 is to to low. 70-90 IS OK. 100-190 IS GREAT. 195-230 IS TO HIGH

shyelapearl

replied on June 30th, 2009

New User

The instructions from my diabetes educator are to 'treat' if I am at 75 or lower. (Treating meaning having some juice or at least 15 grams of fast acting carbs.) I can usually tell when I have diff. symptoms such as yawning, tummy grumbles, shakiness etc. The test confirms it and I do what I need to. Best to test and not assume especially if you are pregnant, since we have to keep our numbers in such tight control. I am hoping to have babies soon too. Smile

Good luck, and GOOD JOB! Sounds like you are doing great and its good that youre asking questions.

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