Could I be hypoglycemic? How is it diagnosed?

Question

I've always just assumed I was either out of shape (though I am a dancer) or just a compulsive eater, but I'm beginning to think I'm hypoglycemic. If I don't snack fairly consistently, I become very dizzy / weak feeling. Sometimes, I even become shaky. I decided to do some research on it and I read that people with hypoglycemia often have nightmares, sweat in their sleep (enough that it makes their pajamas/sheets wet), and still feel tired when they wake up. All three of these apply to me. I often feel fatigue, have insomnia, allergies, and sometimes have heart palpitations. Diabetes runs rampant throughout my family - both of my grandfathers have it and so does my father and one of his sisters. For those of you who are hypoglycemic, does it sound like I could possibly have it? Would I be able to go to my campus health center and have it checked out (I am an hour and a half away from home and, thus, my regular doctor)? Anything and everything you can tell me would be appreciated.

-Ashley-

Answer 1

Some of the symptoms of hypoglycemia are:

fatigue
insomnia
mental confusion
nervousness
mood swings
faintness
headaches
depression
phobias
heart palpitations
a craving for sweets
cold hands and feet
forgetfulness
dizziness
blurred vision
inner trembling
outbursts of temper
sudden hunger
allergies
crying spells

In simple layman's language, hypoglycemia is the body's inability to properly handle the large amounts of sugar that the average American consumes today. It's an overload of sugar, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and stress.

In medical terms, hypoglycemia is defined in relation to its cause. Functional hypoglycemia, the kind we are addressing here, is the oversecretion of insulin by the pancreas in response to a rapid rise in blood sugar or "glucose".

All carbohydrates (vegetables, fruits and grains, as well as simple table sugar), are broken down into simple sugars by the process of digestion. This sugar enters the blood stream as glucose and our level of blood sugar rises. The pancreas then secretes a hormone known as insulin into the blood in order to bring the glucose down to normal levels.

In hypoglycemia, the pancreas sends out too much insulin and the blood sugar plummets below the level necessary to maintain well-being.

Since all the cells of the body, especially the brain cells, use glucose for fuel, a blood glucose level that is too low starves the cells of needed fuel, causing both physical and emotional symptoms.

If your dr suspects it they will do blood testing ,,, this will include doing fasting to get accurate testing.. good luck

Answer 2

No matter what you are eating or drinking if you are not diabetic or pre diabetic your sugars should not go over 120, your pancreas should compensate for whatever you consume. I am a type 1 diabetic diagnosed at 24 years old, and I was hypoglycemic for years before I ever had high sugars and was diagnosed diabetic, so it is something you should keep an eye on. It could be a symptom that your pancreas is not working properly, therefore producing too much insulin causing the low sugars and eventually mine stopped working. That being said, just because you are hypoglycemic does not mean you will have diabetes someday, your higher sugars and your thirst, and hunger concern me though. you should have your doc do an A1c test, which is an average of your sugars over the last 8 weeks, however if you are having a lot of lows this test can be misleading, my dad is a diabetic who doesnt take care of his sugars but he goes low and high so much that they balance each other out for his A1c tests, making them appear normal, which they are very far from. You should definately test more often though, before meals and about 2 hours after and in the morning for a week, then your doctor can download the results or you can call them in, and if they are concerned maybe run some more tests.

Answer 3

Sadly Hypoglycemia is UNDER DIAGNOSED even by diabetic specialists who have the needed skills to diagnose it.

Half the diabetics I've known, including myself were first hypoglycemics and had diagnosed it ourself, not through a doctor. Sadly too many doctors mistake the slurred speech that can occur during an attack and the shaking, as anxiety or alcohol induced if the person drinks.

I'd suggest you call around and find a doctor, talk to the doctor not the nurse, even going to the office and just asking to have a minute of his/her time, as you are searching for a doctor you feel can properly diagnose your problem, which you believe to be hypoglycemia.

The blood tests only show hypoglycemia if you are bottoming out at the time at of blood tests. A few doctors, but not many, will have the patient drink a high Glucose drink, then test them every ten to fifteen minutes for two to three hours, when this is done, it's the best way to prove hypoglycemia.

You could always make an appointment to see a diabetic specialist, as they also treat hypoglycemics. Then go an hour early, fill in the forms, then drink a regular coke. If you are hypoglycemic, it should bring on an attact and the doctor should be able to properly diagnose you that day as you should have an attack within the hour of drinking the sugary drink, especially if you have not had a good meal. Obviously not the best way, but it's a quick way to get the doctor to see the problem up front and personal. It's waht I had to do in order to get a doctor to believe I was hypoglycemic, as I had claimed I was for years. Now I'm a diabetic and seldom bottom out.

The fact you are a dancer, you could be CONDITIONAL HYPOCLYCEMIC. Many dances just do not eat enough for the work out they are getting, thus they frequenly experience hypoglycemic attacks. These episodes of hypoglycemic can totally ruin your nervous system, your muscles and every other organ in your body and in the long run can lead to you putting on weight while eating very little as the body attempts to store fats and sugars as it learns it's frequently not gettting enough to eat and maintain Glucose levels.

If you tend towards anorexia or are, you'll only make your condition worse until you end up hospitalized. Eating six small meals a day with complex carbs and proteins can help control the drops in Glucose, can actually allow you to have more energy for dancing without putting on any weight, while eating more and providing your body what you need. I've been anorexic, so I know how low caloric intact harms the body. Believe me you don't want to end up with all the serious illnesses I now have to live with. So the first thing to do is eat small meals, six a day, and eat nuts like Almonds and Pecans in between these smaller meals. They have complex carbs and good protein in them and can stop your Glucose levels from bottoming out all the time. Eat about 20 nuts, full size between your meals to keep your Glucose up. If you feel it falling down, beginning to shake, eat some nuts and eat a small amount of dried fruits. They'll up your Glucose and the nuts will keep it from bottoming back out. By eating more frequently you'll actually begin to feel more energetic and you'll find you dance so much better, just because your body has the fuel it needs as it needs it.

If you can, get with a diatician who specializes in eating problems common to dancers. Be honest with the person or they can't help you. I'd not be surprised if you are just not getting enough calories per day, possibly borderline anorexia or anorexia. If you are anorexic and know it then please get help or the symptoms you feel now, are only a sign of health problems to come, which will end your career as a dancer. You have to take good care of your body, eat right to have a career as a dancer for more then a few years.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 4

Hyphoglycemia is misunderstood by a lot of doctors. I have been dealing with this for many years. I know I have an issue because I get it bad. Make sure you get a doctor that cares. I had doc tell me that it was in my head, others said that I had a fast metabolism and eat more sugar (wrong). In all, I did not get the attention I needed, last year I was told I was pre-diabetic. Find help that can take care of it now. Usually, the GTT test will diasgnose your problem. It is a 3 hour test, make sure that they test you every half an hour. It will show how you react to sugar and probably be the reason for you feeling weak.

If you learn about dealing with it now, you might be able to prevent long term complication. My hypoglycemic attacks are making me feel weak for days sometimes

Hope you find what is going on :)

Answer 5

Half the diabetics I've known, including myself were first hypoglycemics and had diagnosed it ourself, not through a doctor.

I realize that conventional health care is necessary and appropriate. That having been said, there are many things WE can do to overcome type II diabetes, and improve life as a Type I diabetic. I've been researching alternative medicine, and the amount of help that's available to diabetics is amazing.

Natural remedies are quite effective, and include:

Cinnamon
Bitter Melon
Gymnema Sylvestre
Nopal cactus
American Ginseng
Fenugreek
Chromium picolinate

Cinnamon regulates glucose, and has a polyphenol compound called MHCP that mimics insulin and activates cell receptor sites. A quarter teaspoon twice daily makes a difference. Fenugreek increases blood flow and inhibits the growth of infectious organisms. Everything on the list has a use in fighting diabetes. Learn how to use these herbs and don't fall victim to diabetes needlessly.You can find out about about them on line, or in a book I read cover to cover--

"One Son's Quest for the Cause and Cure of Diabetes", ISBN 7890766313

The author, a doctor, lost his mother to diabetes and spent the next 20 years finding a way to overcome it. My brother was dying of diabetes, and I was just starting to need insulin when we came across this definitive work which came out in February 2005. We both lead mostly normal lives now. It's a life saver, and the best money you'll ever spend on the subject if you decide to go that way.
You might want to check Abe Books, Alibri's, or Amazon.com for a good used copy cheap. I bought mine new, and I think it was about $35. I don't get any money from anybody for telling you this--just want to help, and the techniques in this book is what made the difference for me and mine. Best of luck.

Answer 6

Health professionals diagnose hypoglycemia using a medical history, physical examination, and tests to check the blood sugar level.

Generally, you are diagnosed with hypoglycemia if you have a low blood sugar level and symptoms that go away after you have taken glucose to restore your blood sugar level

Answer 7

It could be....but its also a sign of possible Diabetic....have your Sugar levels checked as the vital signs for hypoglycemia and the onset of Diabetes mellitus are about the same...as you need to take in small meals or snacks at regular intervals

Answer 8

Diabetes is hereditary. You can find some good information and home remedies at this website http://ailments.in/diabetes.html