New answer to an old thread, I know but here is my personal experience and advice from my doctors and nurses.
Alcohol lowers your blood sugar due to the fact that when consumed, this is the body’s #1 prio to break down as it’s considered a toxic. The liver which normally helps to release and regulate sugar into the blood, is occupied to break down the alcohol. So If you’re getting low for some reason, it can’t release sugar to “recoil” the blood sugar back to a "good" level. If getting “hammered”, the best thing to do on your way to bed is to eat a high fat meal, (your average McDonalds meal). Your blood sugar is going to be messed up anyways. If you try to measure and regulate blood sugars before going to bed or set an alarm and such, you can get into trouble as the body can react fast with alcohol in your bloodstream. To eat a sturdy meal is the best way to counterfeit the alcohol during sleep.
When I’m away on a whiskey tasting (single malt fan here) I can see my blood sugar drop from 8 mmol/l to 3 in less than an hour. I aim to be at 4-6 mmol/l before meals and around 6-8mmol/l 1-2 hrs after. When drinking I try to begin a little higher, say 8-10mmol/l so that I don’t “crash”. Translated to US measures I drink around 10 ounces over a 1-1½ hour period.
As all alcohol beverages lowers blood sugar, it’s important to keep track of what you drink and how much. To measure blood sugar before going to bed and “lower” a high BG with fast acting insulin after consuming alcohol could be fatal. You might also want to ease up on the slow acting insulin as well if taken before bed.
I read the link dano posted. I’m a bit curious about the US approach to everything. Count carbs, count fat, don’t do this, and don’t do that. Just to read the “Alcohol can cause flushing, nausea, increased heart rate, and slurred speech.” made me laugh a little. It’s kind of obvious. To suggest a person to not do anything means they don’t get hurt, but then again, what’s their reason to live?
My doctors’ advice is simple, “live as the normal person you are”. Sure you have to take a shot of insulin or two, but don’t fixate your life on what food and beverages you can or can’t consume. If it’s your life’s mission or your biggest hobby, to count every carb you consume before your die, so be it. If you compete as a body builder it is necessary, not sure if it helps you get another year or two out of life, than if you didn’t.
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