Having serious issues with my blood sugar going low again. I think this is mainly due to being slightly off the usual routine with having my dad here and being out & about, but last night I had a major low and had to go and lie down until I felt better, an hour or so later. Could not eat as a result, forced some down me, felt sick, ill, horrid. Happened again this lunch time. Need to be regimental with my eating habits I think. I guess because I'm doing more than usual I'm expending more energy, I don't know, but it's annoying. I do wonder if this is an indication that I am definitely suffering with the diabetes?? I mean, this doesn't happen to *normal* people, does it? What's it all about? Anyone?
Posted by katie at February 18, 2004 01:53 PMNormal people can have their blood sugar go too low (hypoglycemia), too, if we don't eat properly. What's supposed to happen when the blood sugar level gets too low is that a hormone called glucagon is secreted, and glucagon causes the body to release stored glycogen (the form in which the liver and muscles store glucose for quick energy bursts; fat cells convert glucose into fat, which can't be used as an energy source as quickly as glucagon can) into the blood stream - basically, glucagon does the opposite of what insulin does. In some people, it doesn't work properly/quickly/fully; also, if you don't have enough glycogen stored (e.g. if you've just been exercising, or if you've been fasting for a prolonged period), glucagon can't do much because the fuel tank is basically empty, and your blood sugar continues to drop.
Some general hypoglycemia info:
http://my.webmd.com/hw/diabetes_1_2/rt1055.asp?lastselectedguid={5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348}
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/5/1680_51025.htm?lastselectedguid={5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348}
Hypoglycemia can also be a complication of diabetes: http://my.webmd.com/content/article/46/1667_50945.htm?lastselectedguid={5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348} which says that warfarin can cause hypoglycemia. It doesn't look like fragmin has this effect.
Posted by: Steve at February 19, 2004 03:13 PM