Hypoglycemia + Celiac Disease

[bbbjenkins]

Hello everyone. Thank God for Celiac.com. I would love some assistance. Here's the lowdown: After 6 months of treatment for Giardia and lots of running to the bathroom, I diagnosed myself with Celiac's. This was "confirmed" by two things: 1) genetic testing ( I have both HLA 8 and HLA 2 markers via Enterolab) and 2) a lessening of symptoms after I went gluten-free. The change was dramatic and almost immediate. After about a week of being gluten free, I cut down on my loperamide use significantly--from 2-4 mg a day to 1mg every other day. I seemed to plateau at 1mg qod, though. Then I discovered I was still glutenizing myself with cross-contaminated peanut butter and by drinking rice milk which had gluten--of all things! I got my own dedicated jar of peanut butter and let my 3-year-old have her own jar. I was all ready to move to the next level of small bowel healing and...nothing. Instead I have progressively gotten worse. I can barely get up in the morning and feel headachy and drowsy it seems like half the time. When feeling particularly bad one day at work I took my blood sugar and found it to be 52! I have had recent lab work done and there are apparently no anamolies. I'm tempted to think I am developing diabetes, but hypoglycemia without hyperglycemia doesn't seem to fit the profile. And I am mystified as to why I would be developing more symptoms after going gluten-free? I have been paying close attention to my diet. Initially I thought maybe I just wasn't eating enough. This seems perhaps partially true, but even when I eat every two hours I'm still feeling without energy. It is worse in the morning--leading to the hypoglycemia theory? and eating 6 oz of chicken and a cup of full fat yogurt at 10pm before bedtime doesn't seem to help a lot. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks,

Brent

[psawyer]

Welcome to the board.

It is unlikely that you are diabetic, based upon what you describe. Hypoglycemia can occur in diabetics, but is a result of too much insulin or oral medication compared to food intake.

It is common for celiacs to be deficient in nutrients as a result of the malabsorption associated with the disease. I would look into possible anemia and vitamin deficiencies, especially B12. Did your lab work check for these?

Your blood sugar rises primarily in response to carbohydrate intake. Neither meat nor yogurt are particularly high in carbs. Simple carbohydrates can be found in fruits, and more complex ones in starches and grains. Corn, potatoes, rice, and quinoa are gluten-free sources of complex carbohydrates.

[tarnalberry]

I have found, with my hypoglycemia, that it's a careful balance of protein, fat, and carbs. So, if there isn't enough fat - no good. If there isn't enough protein - no good. If there isn't enough carbs - no good. It took a while to figure out what worked for me (what ratios), and that changes sometimes. For now, you might try eating small amounts more often as well (every three to four hours, at most), and keep those small things well balanced as well.

[estelita]

My hypoglycemia is managed by eating high protein breakfasts and then taking a chromium picolonate after. Ever since I've been doing that, I've been excellent!

[Foxfire62]

I have found, with my hypoglycemia, that it's a careful balance of protein, fat, and carbs. So, if there isn't enough fat - no good. If there isn't enough protein - no good. If there isn't enough carbs - no good. It took a while to figure out what worked for me (what ratios), and that changes sometimes. For now, you might try eating small amounts more often as well (every three to four hours, at most), and keep those small things well balanced as well.

I am having problems with this. I go to bed with heart palpitations and rushes to my head, which inhibit my sleep. Last night, I tried not eating later than 6:00 p.m. I was hungry by 3:30 a.m. In the morning, I was soooo jittery, I had to take something to calm down my nerves. Of course, I ate too, which helped. I had 2 eggs, yogurt, and some Rice Chex and lactose-free milk. I ended up sleeping 2.5 hours. I think I'm nut intolerant (or having problems still digesting fiber). I wish I could find the careful balance. Right now, they want to put me on a progesterone hormone and Zoloft to even out my serotonin levels. I know that some days I feel better than others. Some days, I'm jittery, others, my blood pressure drops too much!

Sure wish I knew what was going on!

[tarnalberry]

I am having problems with this. I go to bed with heart palpitations and rushes to my head, which inhibit my sleep. Last night, I tried not eating later than 6:00 p.m. I was hungry by 3:30 a.m.

Any particular reason you're not eating after 6:00pm? If your hypoglycemia isn't in a happy state, that's 12-14 hours without food! That's going to cause most hypoglycemics serious trouble. If you think eating is causing the syptoms you describe which prevent you from sleeping, I'd check into stomach issues - reflux in particular, and food intolerances. I'd try rotating what foods you eat (keep it VERY simple - VERY few ingredients), and see if it changes the equation.

[bear6954]

My son also has hypoglycemia. His morning fasting blood sugar was 41 and 46. I started two thing for him and it has really helped. My son is 3, but we started him on a amino acid/elemental formula that is easy to digest and full of vits, fats, carbs, and minerals. I also wake him at 2 am and feed him something small. He normally eats about 5 bites of gluten free pancake with maple syrup and a dab of smart balance. When he wakes at 8am or so his blood sugars are normally in the 70's.

His 2 am reading were in the low 80's.

Now he wakes and is not so clingy and his stomach is not upset.

Maybe they have a drink that will help you absorb your vits better also.

[ang1e0251]

I'm hypoglycemic and I recently gave up most sugars. I've been having real dips in the morning before I can get to my breakfast. If I feel this way, I reach in for about 1/2 slice of Hormel Natural ham and chew it slowly. Within about a minute I can feel relief coming, it usually takes the other half too. Then I am ok to stay on my schedule which has me eating a 3 eggs scrambled with butter, onions and tomato about 5-10 minutes after that. A little later I have my B12 and that also gives me a boost. I still always eat all my meals and snacks in between which is 6-7 times a day. Now I just have increased my dietary fat and protein with some carbs. That usually keeps my blood sugar at good levels. I try not to let myself crash. That makes me feel bad all day.

The heart palpatations and jitteryness makes me wonder how much magnesium you are taking. It can help that if you're deficient.

[ravenwoodglass]

I am having problems with this. I go to bed with heart palpitations and rushes to my head, which inhibit my sleep. Last night, I tried not eating later than 6:00 p.m. I was hungry by 3:30 a.m. In the morning, I was soooo jittery, I had to take something to calm down my nerves. Of course, I ate too, which helped. I had 2 eggs, yogurt, and some Rice Chex and lactose-free milk. I ended up sleeping 2.5 hours. I think I'm nut intolerant (or having problems still digesting fiber). I wish I could find the careful balance. Right now, they want to put me on a progesterone hormone and Zoloft to even out my serotonin levels. I know that some days I feel better than others. Some days, I'm jittery, others, my blood pressure drops too much!

Sure wish I knew what was going on!

You mention taking something to calm your nerves, what is that med and have you checked with your pharmacist to make sure it is gluten free? Celiac an effect the absorption of meds and you may need to have your dosage adjusted. Also not all yogurts are gluten free, make sure that the one you are using is. Yoplait is pretty reliable as far as labeling it's gluten free varieties other companies are a bit more risky, Dannon being one of those if memory serves me correctly.

[bbbjenkins]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all your kind replies. With your help, I'm leaning towards the following to explain my recent clobberring fatigue: 1) basic hypogclycemia, Peter's B12 suggestion, and likely gluten contamination via hidden sources, in this case a favorite marinaded pork tenderloin that I have purchased at my local grocery for years. At times it seems the Duh! moments never end when it comes to inadvertent gluten ingestion. Having never felt so tired before, I made an appointment at my regular clinic with the idea of getting some more lab work done and getting a B12 shot. I was unable to see my regular doc, which frequently happens, and so went through the familiar frustrations you'll are probably familiar with: The doc says my labs of 6 weeks ago don't show any signs fo anemia, therefore B12 deficiency is unlikely. He says I probably have a virus and to check back with my regular doc in 4 weeks. I can't get any lab work done at this time because it's taken 45 minutes to get seen and the lab is closed. I was uncharacteristically crushed and furious, ie, I have a virus? Like want kind of virus is this that makes you exhausted for a month without any other sympto ms? And: Gee, doc, you think my tiredness might have something to do with the fact that my small bowel has been on the fritz for 8 months or so? Of course my quick research on B12 deficiency seemed to indicate that a deficiency can exist even with a normal or low normal B12 serum level, to say nothing of one's hematocrit and hemoglobin levels. On the drive home I rallied, realizing: I'm frustrated because I want my illness (suffering) to be acknowledged and yet that's not going to happen with an unfamiliar doc at the last appt. of the day. This is, of course, many people's experience with health care in this country. I was even able to appreciate where the doc was coming from: He's probably seen twenty patients, it's the end of the day, he doesn't know much about Celiac's, and he has fallen into habitual ways of looking at patients. He probably spends all day chasing lots of somatic, phantom, and even elusively real complaints. Not that I don't still hold him responsible, but I was able to let go of my anger a little and realize, like it or not, this is the state of things while resolving to locate a new doctor who has the ability to both help me out and acknowledge the reality and dimension of Celiac's disease. I'm not overly optimistic but I am determined. Thanks again for the insights,

Brent

ps I just learned, I think, I can pick up some sublingual B12 at the pharmacy, so who needs a shot and the doc who's unwilling to give it to me anyway!

[ravenwoodglass]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all your kind replies. With your help, I'm leaning towards the following to explain my recent clobberring fatigue: 1) basic hypogclycemia, Peter's B12 suggestion, and likely gluten contamination via hidden sources, in this case a favorite marinaded pork tenderloin that I have purchased at my local grocery for years. At times it seems the Duh! moments never end when it comes to inadvertent gluten ingestion. Having never felt so tired before, I made an appointment at my regular clinic with the idea of getting some more lab work done and getting a B12 shot. I was unable to see my regular doc, which frequently happens, and so went through the familiar frustrations you'll are probably familiar with: The doc says my labs of 6 weeks ago don't show any signs fo anemia, therefore B12 deficiency is unlikely. He says I probably have a virus and to check back with my regular doc in 4 weeks. I can't get any lab work done at this time because it's taken 45 minutes to get seen and the lab is closed. I was uncharacteristically crushed and furious, ie, I have a virus? Like want kind of virus is this that makes you exhausted for a month without any other sympto ms? And: Gee, doc, you think my tiredness might have something to do with the fact that my small bowel has been on the fritz for 8 months or so? Of course my quick research on B12 deficiency seemed to indicate that a deficiency can exist even with a normal or low normal B12 serum level, to say nothing of one's hematocrit and hemoglobin levels. On the drive home I rallied, realizing: I'm frustrated because I want my illness (suffering) to be acknowledged and yet that's not going to happen with an unfamiliar doc at the last appt. of the day. This is, of course, many people's experience with health care in this country. I was even able to appreciate where the doc was coming from: He's probably seen twenty patients, it's the end of the day, he doesn't know much about Celiac's, and he has fallen into habitual ways of looking at patients. He probably spends all day chasing lots of somatic, phantom, and even elusively real complaints. Not that I don't still hold him responsible, but I was able to let go of my anger a little and realize, like it or not, this is the state of things while resolving to locate a new doctor who has the ability to both help me out and acknowledge the reality and dimension of Celiac's disease. I'm not overly optimistic but I am determined. Thanks again for the insights,

Brent

ps I just learned, I think, I can pick up some sublingual B12 at the pharmacy, so who needs a shot and the doc who's unwilling to give it to me anyway!

Sometimes a bit of anger can be quite theraputic. I am glad you were able to get through it, boy have I and a lot of others gone through it. I got so tired of over 15 years of progressive symptoms blown off and the fact that even though at every appointment I would say 'Oh yea I also still have painful explosive D' blown off and ignored and no one had a clue or even seemed to care. Okay my rant is over. (Okay maybe I am not really over that anger )

You can get the sublingual B12 at either a pharmacey or natural food store. Make sure of course that it is gluten free. There is no toxic level for B12, you will simply pee out any excess without ill effect on your kidneys or other systems. Don't be afraid to start with 2 tabs for the first couple of weeks and then drop down to one, the usual dose. Do make sure if they test your levels that you let the doctor know you are taking it as it will show up as a high level in the tests.