hypoglycemia?

I recently had a whole batch of blood tests done and despite my weight issues, I am fortunate that my cholesterol is low and I've dodged the family bullets of thyroid problems, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

However, I definitely have hypoglycemia (I've been tested for diabetes and definitely don't have it).

Today, for example, I had a typical breakfast of raisin bran, milk, pure fruit juice, toast, and tea. Within 3 hours I was shaking like a leaf, sweaty, and light-headed.

I'm know I don't eat as well as I should, but one of the problems I run into when I exercise or eat less is I will have these attacks. I'm obviously not doing the best I can with meal planning and I'm going to talk to my doctor, but I thought I'd see if anyone else gets this way?

I do but then again am a type one but that breakfast is very,very high in carbs and if you are prone to hypoglycemia would definetly bring on an attack.

I would ,in your case,try moderate my carbs to prevent the over production of insulin as some believe that these attacks can be a sign that you might develop diabetes later.

Try moderate having too many carbs in one meal,avoid 'whites' and high sugar items such as sweets,cakes and fruit juice and also try moderate your bs by having a protein with your carb at meals.

I get this way.  I don't know if it's hypoglycemia, a fast metabolism, or both, but ever since I was about 13 I can remember being this way.  I would have lunch at school, and by the time I was walking home from my bus stop I would feel like my legs went to jelly and I was going to pass out.  In high school I had to start keeping snacks in my locker so I could shove something in my mouth between classes.

The way I manage it is by always having a couple of snacks with me.  Usually carrots, a granola bar, half a peanut butter sandwich, etc.  It's just the way my body works and it's what I need to to do for it.  I eat about 6 times a day.  Breakfast, elevenses, lunch, something and hour or 2 after lunch, dinner, and maybe a piece of fruit an hour or 2 after dinner.  If I did the 3 big square meals thing I wouldn't make it through the day without either passing out or biting someone's head off! 

Part of it might be related to the fact that I generally eat smaller portions during proper meals anyway.  Ever since I was a child, I've never been able to eat a whole bunch in one sitting.  Apparently my grandfather was the same way.

I should probably talk to my doctor about it, but it's just been going on for so long, and I manage it so well, that I'm not sure they would tell me anything other than to keep doing what I'm doing! 

I have PCOS so I have to label watch just about everything I eat or drink an I'm not supposed to have more than 6 grams of sugar per meal. I really like raisin bran cereal but sadly I cant have it there is too much sugar in it for me. which surprised me but then I remembered that raisins are just dried grapes which have alot of natural sugar in them. I really like most juices but I cant have them either they also have too much sugar in them as well.

Yeah, I guess that meal is pretty high in sugar. But I do have to say that even sometimes when I have a 'good' meal (i.e. whole grain toast with and egg) that I might still get the crash.

Right now I have the flexibility to plan meals well and have on hand what I should but once I start working again, I think I am going to have to start carrying around snacks more often. I'm just not very good at the forward planning.

How about trying the whole grain toast with egg for breakfast, followed by another small protein snack in 2-3 hours following - string cheese, or a handful of nuts, etc? 

C,  You mentioned blood tests, did these show you have true hypoglycemia?

That, is are you actually medically hypoglycemic, i.e. when you get those symptoms, have you actually measured your blood glucose levels and determined it?

Reactive Hypoglycemia is defined medically as blood glucose less than 70 mg/dl, 3-4 hours after eating and usually if you treat it and blood glucose levels go back up, you feel better.

Are you feeling like this first thing in the morning as well, before eating anything? If so, do you have a blood glucose value of 50 mg/dl?

If you are truly hypoglycemic, there may be an underlying medical condition and that needs medical evaluation through your doctor.    If you haven't done so,  still may want to check with your doctor to make sure all is OK.

Or do you just feel shaking, tired, hungry, etc after eating?

But if you're actually not hypoglycemic, but get the symptoms, then it's usually recommended to eat the following meal plan:

eating small meals and snacks about every 3 hours
being physically active
eating a variety of foods, including meat, poultry, fish, or nonmeat sources of protein; starchy foods such as whole-grain bread, rice, and potatoes; fruits; vegetables; and dairy products
eating foods high in fiber
avoiding or limiting foods high in sugar, especially on an empty stomach

So eat complex carbs, some protein, little and often! 

It's true that hypoglycemia is related to Diabetes, in that Diabetes treatment (insulin,  sulfonylurea drugs, ) can cause the 'side effect' off being hypo - but not having diabetes and being hypoglycemic have different underlying causes.   Like Tanya81 says though, and I know several Type 2s mentioned having frequent hypo attacks well before being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes later in life, you will want to make sure that you limit your Type 2 Diabetes risks as much as possible.

Some great information here:
National Diabetes Information Clearing House

Emedicine Health Article on Hypoglycemia

Mayo Clinic Questions

Diabetes UK -Diabetes Risk Factors

Mayo Clinic Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors

Report back on how you're getting on 

C,  You mentioned blood tests, did these show you have true hypoglycemia?

That, is are you actually medically hypoglycemic, i.e. when you get those symptoms, have you actually measured your blood glucose levels and determined it?

I was wondering the same thing! 

That diet sounds very sensible, for people with or without hypoglycemia!

The meal plan PB posted is pretty much what I do.   I can certainly vouch for eating frequently as a good way forward.

It's interesting, PB, that you mentioned not having anything high in sugar on an empty stomach, because I've never been able to have anything like orange juice first thing in the morning without eating something first.  It makes me feel completely nauseous and shaky otherwise. 

I'm wondering if I should go to the doctor about this now, in case it is related to something, or if there's anything I need to keep any eye on... 

I'm wondering if I should go to the doctor about this now, in case it is related to something, or if there's anything I need to keep any eye on... 

It couldn't hurt for re-assurance!

I used to get like this a few years ago (not sure if I was 'officially' hypoglycemic or not because I never went to the doctor over it).  Well, I still have spells off and on but it's only when I don't eat right.

Whenever I'm trying to lose weight, it's always much better because I keep a check on my carbs, sugar and eat a lot of protein.  When trying to lose weight, it's better to eat frequently (keeps your metabolism up) so I eat at least every 2-3 hours. 

Keep your calories in check too.  Toast and one egg is not a healthy breakfast if you are waiting several hours to eat again.  If you're only eating 3 meals a day, you should be having roughly 4 times that amount of calories per meal.

C,  You mentioned blood tests, did these show you have true hypoglycemia?

That, is are you actually medically hypoglycemic, i.e. when you get those symptoms, have you actually measured your blood glucose levels and determined it?

I need to talk to my doc again. He went over the results with me on the phone and he's so soft-spoken I had trouble hearing him. I know he said my levels were low, though (it was a fasting blood test). But I have to see him soon for a pre-op eval (something totally unrelated) so I'll make sure we talk about it then.

Thanks, everyone!

Definitley good to have a chat with your doctor then and get his opinion on things.   

Meh. My doctor didn't seem that concerned. It's clear I need to get my diet and exercise (or lack thereof) under control so I think he believes those shaky attacks will stop if I eat more sensibly. If not, then obviously then I'd have cause to go back and get more tests.

Good luck balmerhon