Could This Be Hypoglycemia?

[covsooze]

I'm pretty sure I have problems with my blood sugar levels, although blood tests in the past (glucose levels, non-fasting) have not raised any concerns. I used to get it badly before going gluten-free, but seem to be suffering again this week, having been glutened.

This evening was pretty bad. I'd eaten a large lunch (DH's birthday) and then didn't eat again for 4 hours. Although I didn't feel really hungry (it's too hot here right now to feel hungry!), I suddenly got really desperate for food, like I could kill for it. I was extremely irritable and started feeling like I couldn't cope. I just knew I had to eat, which I did. A short while after eating, I started getting palpitations. A couple of hours later, I feel better.

I always need to drink loads of water and pee a lot. I've never had a positive test for diabetes. I'm sure many of my depressive instances are linked to low blood sugar.

What tests should I ask for? What can I eat for sustained energy release? (so many things seem to irritate my stomach and I end up craving carbs).

Does hypoglycemia cause sleep disturbance? I wake up lots of times in the night and have no idea why.

Thanks for any responses.

Susie x

[jennyj]

I have hypoglycemia and celiac. I do not have episodes very often but when I do I don't get moody I just stop. I will sit and stare into space. My hands get very shaky and I feel like everything is going on around me but I am not a part of it. I was lucky that I used to work with people who knew what was going on and would get me juice(oj) and peanutbutter crackers.

[wolfie]

I asked my dr about this last week. I did fine on the fasting glucose test I had a few years back and explained that it always happens 3-4 hours after I eat. It is reactive hypoglycemia. They do a 3 hour glucose tolerance test for that, I think. She said the end result is to eat more frequent meals that are higher in protein so that they keep your blood sugar more even and helps keep it from crashing.

Can you eat cheese? Hard boiled eggs? Bacon? I usually keep pineapple juice or a coke close by so that if I do have an issue I can turn it around quickly, but I am working on how to stop it from happening to begin with and stay ahead of it.

[zip2play]

Very well could be reactive hypoglycemia. I don't need a test to know I have it. Couple all carbs or sugar with protein. The key is to balance it all. IF you have major issues, cut way back on carbs and eliminate sugar. Once I gave up gluten it seemed to help, but last week I started having major issues again. It is smart to keep something sugary near, for when it happens. But follow that sugar up with protein!

Monica

[Guest cassidy]

I had hypoglycemia forever before I went gluten-free. I would get shaky almost everyday even though I was eating often. Now it only happens when I get glutened.

I followed the low glycemic index diet when things got bad. Basically, they measured carbs and figured out which ones of them are the most slowly digested. If things are digested slowly they are less likely to spike your blood sugar and then cause it to drop. The website is www.glycemicindex.com. There are great tips like slow cook (20 min) rice instead of instant, makes a big difference. Apples are better than bananas. White potatoes are terrible, but sweet potatoes are fine.