Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) Support Group

The term hypoglycemia literally means "low blood sugar." Hypoglycemia can produce a variety of symptoms and effects but the principal problems arise from an inadequate supply of glucose as fuel to the brain, resulting in impairment of function. Derangements of function can range from vaguely "feeling bad" to coma and in the worst case, can be fatal.

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Genetic & Metabolic
/ Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) Support Group

blood work

NinjaMother
NinjaMother
The health fair is coming near me this weekend and my husband and I are going to get our blood work done. They like everyone to be fasting. I was wondering how others do this. When I was younger I could suffer and do it then work to stablize my sugar. Now though I can't last that long, especially since we have to stand in a long line to wait. Just thinking about it makes me feel like I am going to pass-out. Although I am getting better about lasting longer through the night I still don't think that I can fast that long.

Any advice would help. Thanks.
deleted_user
deleted_user
For what it's worth. . . . . .

Hubby recently had back surgery. He could have nothing to eat after midnight, so he had his snack at 11:45 pm. They also said he could have some glucose gel at 3 or 4 a.m., if he needed it. Then he was to report to hospital at 6:30 a.m., and was put on IV, and received glucose until, during, and after surgery .

If you had a late snack, glucose gel during the night, and get to the location EARLY, AND HOPE YOU ARE FIRST IN LINE, you might be able to make it. I'd be sure go have glucose gel with me, however, just in case you start to "crash".

Being hypoglycemic does complicate things, for sure !!! We just have to figure how to work around problems. OH, I'd also take a good snack with me, and eat as soon as possible after testing.

I carry the glucose gel and also glucose tablets all the time. One time of being caught unprepared is enough for me !!!
NinjaMother
NinjaMother
What is the Glucose gel? I've never heard about it. Does it through off the glucose values on blood tests? Your husband doesn't have any reaction to it? I react to new things in my body very quickly and many times badly, so I am leary about trying anything new.

Thank you so much for your in-put.
deleted_user
deleted_user
The glucose gel is designed for emergencies for Diabetics and Hypoglycemiacs when their sugar drops too quickly, creating problems. It is available at pharmacies. It could very well influence the blood sugar values in tests, so it might not work for you. Hubby reacts positively to the gel, in that if he has passed out, or is experiencing low blood sugar symptoms, it brings the blood sugar up to a safe level.
NinjaMother
NinjaMother
Well I did it and was alright. For three days before I ate as best as I could, avoiding anything that might cause my sugar to fall. Then Saturday night I ate a big bowl of oatmeal and had protein at about 9:30. I woke up around 5 to take my thyroid medicine and went back to sleep. Finally I woke up at 7:45 and left to the health fair.

Since I was after the intial rush I went right in without standing in any lines, had my blood drawn, then ate as I sat there. Oh, I forgot to say, I drank plenty of water.

After the blood station where I ate, they had a glucose prick, that I didn't know was there. Too late, I had already eaten. But I did get to participate in the other activities and my sugar leveled out in the afternoon.

Thank you HSTAR for all of your advice. And yes hypoglycemia does make life interesting. But you know what? My kids are living a much healthier lifestyle than I did and it will make a difference in their lives as they age. I would never take that away for any price.