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Hypoglycemia


Sugar

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Sugar Rookie

Hello. Does anyone know much about hypoglycemia being caused by gluten intolerance? I'm hypoglycemic, pretty badly. But it's reactive hypoglycemia. Any thoughts? What about other types of hypoglycemia? Thanks.


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Joni63 Collaborator
Hello. Does anyone know much about hypoglycemia being caused by gluten intolerance? I'm hypoglycemic, pretty badly. But it's reactive hypoglycemia. Any thoughts? What about other types of hypoglycemia? Thanks.

Hi Sugar,

I had the same problem before going gluten free. I would eat and have to eat again within 2 hours. I always felt hungry and never felt satisfied except right after a meal. My blood sugar dropped to the point of blurred vision several times. I asked my Doctor and she said that it could be related to not absorbing the nutrients needed due to Celiac Disease. I'm not sure which has helped, but I switched entirely to decaffeinated coffee and started the gluten free diet at the same time. I have had regular coffee a few times and it definately does something to me. Right now I'm on my third day of totally eliminating caffeine. I have not had the low sugar problem happen since my diet changed in August. I also don't have that nagging constant hungry feeling any more.

Do you drink coffee? I know that is linked to hypoglycemia. But I also believe that Celiac can cause some issues with hypoglycemia due to malabsorption, at least for me it seemed to.

How long have you been gluten free?

Just a side note to this. I have been working on the hypoglycemia issues for a while. I used to drink about 6 to 8 cups of regular coffee with sugar a teaspoon of sugar each time. First I cut out the sugar in the coffee, then went to decaf, and today is actually my first day on only herbal tea. I'd say it's been a process that has gone on for about a year. I have not had any coffee for 3 days and am working on completely eliminating it. It's not easy, but I'm working on it.

Sugarmag Newbie

Well, I was definitely hypoglycemic before going gluten free. I have had episodes of blurred vision, and fallen down, and been almost unconscious. I would be fine as long as I ate something with some carbs, fat and protein every 4 hours or so.

After going gluten free, I was great for almost the first 6 months. No major dizzy spells or anything! Then somehow they started coming back, and with vengeance! Then I figured out I was allergic to soy, and that was a big factor. Now I can't have casein either. (both soy and casein cause intestinal problems and a severe rash for me) I seem to be better now that I've been casein free for 2 months now. BUT, I still have to eat something every 2-3 hours, no matter what. I'm not sure if mine will ever go away, but there's always wishful thinking! (My "normal" blood sugar after eating is about 60-65)

Sugar Rookie

Hey, thanks for your help, guys. I don't drink coffee and I never have, but I've only been gluten-free for about a month and a half. A few weeks ago I also stopped eating simple sugars almost completely, and that helped for a while, but now I'm falling and slurring my words and getting sick again after meals. I think it's because I get so hungry that I eat really fast and I get too many carbs, but I don't know. I do feel much better after going gluten-free though, and now my body's like a sugar detector, because if there's sugar in something, I definitely react.

Sugarmag Newbie
Hey, thanks for your help, guys. I don't drink coffee and I never have, but I've only been gluten-free for about a month and a half. A few weeks ago I also stopped eating simple sugars almost completely, and that helped for a while, but now I'm falling and slurring my words and getting sick again after meals. I think it's because I get so hungry that I eat really fast and I get too many carbs, but I don't know. I do feel much better after going gluten-free though, and now my body's like a sugar detector, because if there's sugar in something, I definitely react.

Cutting out the simple sugars is definitely good! I forgot to mention that, as well as cut out simple carbs too. I only eat complex carbs (like brown rice instead of white rice, yellow or blue corn chips instead of white corn, lots of quinoa, etc) and that has helped too! I think the body processes the simple sugars and carbs too fast, and then it spikes and drops the sugar too much. The only sugar I really have is natural, from fruit and stuff. I also try to only use agave nectar syrup or stevia instead of sugar or splenda stuff. Both agave and stevia do NOT affect your blood sugar, and have a 0 glycemic index.

Please be careful, it's not good to be slurring and falling!! (I've been there too, and it honestly scared the crap out of me!!!) I hope everything gets better for you soon!!

Sugar Rookie

Hey thanks, Sugarmag. You rock.

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