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My Glucose Goes Down A Lot, Especially At Night When I'm Sleeping. What Can I Do To Avoid That?

A DiabetesTeam Member asked a question 💭
September 14
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A DiabetesTeam Member

Try cutting out the sweet snack and have a little protein, like nuts instead.

September 16
A DiabetesTeam Member

It depends on what is causing it to go down and how low is it going

If you are on Meds and they are the cause then it's simply a dosage adjustment

If you are not on any meds and it goes low it will bounce back naturally so there really is nothing to do but monitor it

Two very different scenarios with different solutions

So more information is needed to see IF it's even a problem and then what to do about it, if anything

I typically go low myself at night. Sometimes I will drop into the high 2's (mmols) which can be in the 60's

But I don't take meds so it's not drug induced. It's just my metabolism wobbling a little. My own body recovers itself (called the Symogyi Effect - your brain will only let your blood sugar go so low before it initiates a sugar dump from the liver - it works unless you are taking a drug or insulin which interferes with the process)

So I do "nothing" for an overnight low and usually sleep right through them anyhow - only way I know is it's captured on my CGM graph from overnight

If I go low in the day, then again not dangerous (for me) But it kicks your energy level way down, so I (treat) with 4oz of Orange Juice (15 carbs) which brings me back into My Normal Range in a few minutes

September 14
A DiabetesTeam Member

Ok, no I'm not on any meds, the doctor initially put me on metformin but when he realized that my glucose level went down to 23 he took me off that medication. However, I didn't take that pill when this happened. I don't think that there's much I can do about it because I do have a sweet snack at night and still wake up to low glucose.

September 16
A DiabetesTeam Member

To help avoid low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) at night, consider the following tips:

- Monitor Blood Sugar: Test your blood sugar before going to bed. If you have a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), ensure it's working properly
- Eat a Small Snack: Consider eating a small snack before bed, such as half a sandwich or an Show Full Answer

To help avoid low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) at night, consider the following tips:

- Monitor Blood Sugar: Test your blood sugar before going to bed. If you have a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), ensure it's working properly.
- Eat a Small Snack: Consider eating a small snack before bed, such as half a sandwich or an apple with peanut butter, if your blood sugar is low.
- Avoid Alcohol: Alcohol can cause drops in blood glucose, so avoid drinking before bed.
- Plan Ahead: Have a plan for what to do if your blood sugar drops. Inform a friend or loved one about the signs of low blood sugar.

If these tips don't help, consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice.

September 14

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