Any Experience of Non-Invasive Blood Sugar Monitors?

[Harold Gough]

I am still undergoing tests but hope to have a diagnosis by 5 August but my GP thinks my various symptoms are due to hypoglycaemia, cause yet to be identified.

If I have to monitor sugar levels, and as I readily get local skin infections anyway, I am interested in the latest laser fibre technology. The few advertised seem aimed at hyperglycaemia but it seems to me that all I would need is a reading.

Harold

[Ian]

Interesting - I use a traditional finger prick monitor, so would be interested to know what the latest tech is.

Ian

[Harold Gough]

Essentially, a fibre laser aims at the skin and detects a (sublimimal) change of temperature which tells it what it wants to know. There is a wrist-worn version which detects hyperglycaemia at the cost of around £100.

Harold

[Keith-369]

Sorry, Harold, I use the traditional finger prick as well. I hadn't realised that there was a non invasive type now.

[Harold Gough]

It seems that I won't need one. My problem is non-diabetic, reactive hypoglycaemia. Too much glucose from easily digested-starch in my diet stimulates overproduction of insulin, which overshoots and leaves me with low blood sugar.

I need to work with the the Low Glycemic Index to swap high index foods for low ones. Surprisingly, the only ones I have found with an index of zero: beer, wine, spirits! So, a liquid lunch for me! Apparently, slurred speech is a symptom of low blood sugar, so not enough beer?

Harold

[Harold Gough]

Seriously, alcohol can trigger hypoglycaemia:

"If the liver must choose between balancing blood sugar and detoxification because it cannot perform these actions simultaneously. If the organ has to choose between maintaining blood sugar or detoxifying alcohol, the liver metabolizes alcohol. If it cannot fulfill its role in maintaining blood sugar levels at the time, a person may experience hypoglycemia".

Harold

[Harold Gough]

My life has changed by simply, for the first time in my adult, home life, having supper (of the right kind of food) 2-3 hours after the main evening meal. I haven't slept so well in years, possibly decades and I no longer feel sleepy in the mornings.

Since being mindful, and a bit selective about what I eat, daily I get no more of my varied symptoms. They included twice falling asleep (briefly) during conversations, once at home about 4 years ago and once in the pub last year, and passing out when (15 or so years ago) I had been doing some beekeeping at the far end of the garden and came in very hot and sweaty. I raised my arm to try to unstick my shirt from my back and collapsed in a heap. I was "out" for about 3 minutes, during which my wife called an ambulance. I believed I had, for the only time in my life, fainted but it was probably a sugar low. Other symptoms were (rare) balance issues (room spinning) when getting out of bed and, often, hearing strange scratching noises as I walked around the house before breakfast. Most recent was the tremors of my upper body (once, in the afternoon, which made photography impossible, with a minor recurrence about a week later (only visible when using the screen magnifier) when trying to photograph cars. One one occasion my eyes refused to focus fully for several minutes.

As my blood sugar fell my blood pressure rose. This generally happened in the early hours, peaking just before breakfast. This is non-diabetic reactive hypoglycaemia. (Diabetics will have their own problems).

Life is now much less interesting but much more predictable, under control. when I am out and about, I wear a wrist band engrave with my details, my condition and a request to give me sugar, not insulin, which could be fatal.

If you recognise any of the above symptoms you could be a fellow sufferer. Only about 3.5% of the population are diagnosed but I'm sure that is an underestimate, not least because symptoms can occur moths, or even years apart.

Harold

[MJ224]

I am type 2 diabetic, very rarely had any problems. Treated by pills, and being careful with diet. I have a blood sugar monitor, (pin prick and a gadget), but don't use it as its pretty predictable. High readings in the morning, and good ones after exercise.. I still am able to enjoy treats, an ice-cream or the odd goodie from the baker. ...