Reading the numbers....hypoglycemia?

oedi · 08-07-2006, 11:39 PM

Around a year ago when I had my initial bloodwork that determined PCOS, my fasting glucose was 103. Not overly high by any standards, but elevated enough my doctor told me to watch my diet, etc. I don't have every typical sign of PCOS but I went on Metformin from October '05-March '06. Though it regulated my cycle enough, I was so exhausted and depressed on it I wanted to see how everything went without Metformin. My periods are every three and a half weeks.

When I had my fasting glucose taken while ON Met, it dropped to 69 and my doctor worried it was getting too low. I was not diabetic to begin with and taking Met plus the chromium and magnesium supplements...and watching my diet strictly got me almost in a hypoglycemic range.

So now that I'm not on Met, I just took bloodwork again. My ranges are fairly normal and my fasting glucose was 78. I've been going out of my way to watch my diet, take supplements that regulate blood sugar (predominantly chromium and cinnamon). I read that when your fasting glucose is below 80, it is in the hypoglycemia range. And then I read hypoglycemia is a pre-cursor to diabetes at times. What's confusing me so much is that I thought when it was below a certain level, say 100, it's normal and optimal. And I never thought it would be TOO low. So does the 78 sound unhealthy as well? I'm not sure what to do. I guess there's no such thing as perfect, where I have to be concernd about it getting too high AND too low. Should I cut back on the chromium, or let things be?

sheila32 · 08-08-2006, 05:06 AM

Your fasting is only two points away from being in the normal range . I think as long as your feeling well and your keeping an eye on it then i wouldnt worry much about it. Mabe you vould try less chromium and see where your numbers are and if your more in the normal range themn stick with that. I would love to have your readings in the a.m.

bec415 · 08-14-2006, 08:42 PM

what is considered low? i very rarely get in the 70's in the morning. but i thought that was a good reading because it's usually aruond 120 for me. (that's while on met too)

marykirk · 08-16-2006, 10:41 PM

Hi,
I just had my training in how to read my blood glucose levels, and it looks like the lowest it should be is 80. If it's regularly lower than 80, you should probably talk to your doctor.
Mary K.