Reactive Hypoglycemia question?

Question

Anyone else with this problem have adrenal surges when you get low like in the 70's? Does it cause you to have the runs?

I have been on the basic Atkins diet for several weeks and I still can't get it under control. If I don't eat, I am fine, but if I eat even a small meal, I crash.

I was tested for insulin levels when I was fasting and had double normal range. The Endo doc is a jerk. She doesn't think there is any real cases of reactive Hypoglycemia. I asked if it could be an "insulinoma" like the ER doc suggested and she said it is so rare that it would be near impossible to have one.

Any suggestions?

I have not had any carbs other than the bread in a sandwich in weeks and the only time I have anything with sugar in it is when I am crashing and only enough to get my levels back up. I do carry glucose tabs just in case. One tab will bump me up about 20 points or so.

I am only eating small meals but I still feel full all the time. I am losing weight also. I have lost 25 pounds in 3 months without trying. I am a bit overweight but not obese or anything. When this problem started I was in perfect shape. Eating healthy and riding my bike 20 miles a day. Now I get winded walking up a flight of stairs. If I exercise I drop even faster.

The next Endo appointment I can get is Nov 6th. and it is with a new Doctor.

Answer 1

First I would say if you are having any bread, you are not on a strict Adkins diet. Carbohydrates turn into sugar in our body, so I would have thought that would keep your sugar level.

My sugar plummets frequently. I have to carry hard candies or eat carbs to help keep them at a reasonable level. I find being a grazing eater works well for me. I eat something about every 2 hours and feel really poor if I do not.

I would think eating small Atkins acceptable meals every couple of hours would level up your sugars.

Answer 2

I have reactive hypoglycemia. If I don't eat or eat too much sugar, my body goes crazy and produces way too much insulin, which in turn causes my blood sugar to crash into the 40's and 50's and I will pass out and the only way to wake me is to call the ambulance to get sugar into my system as quickly as possible. This can be deadly. But if you eat a balanced diet you should be able to control it fairly well. I also carry glucose tablets (cost about $2.00 at Walgreens and such), so if I start feeling shaky and dizzy, I can take one or two and that will usually raise my sugar back to normal levels.

Also, try to drink fruit juices and avoid too much concentrated sugar, like donuts, cakes, candy, soda pop, etc. Now, I only drink diet pop which has no sugar and stay away from sweets. I also notice that the problem is worse in the summer months when it is very hot out. I don't really know what that has to do with it, but I know I have to be extra careful when it is hot out. I think because I will sweat when it is hot and that dilutes your blood and maybe concentrates the sugar. Not really sure, just guessing.

You can manage well if you are careful. Good luck to you. Also, see a new doctor.

Answer 3

Too much medication causes low blood sugar.
Balanced meals with whole grain carbs are good.

Answer 4

Don't forget that if you are doing Atkins you shouldn't be having "no" carbs, you should be eating your (non-starchy) veggies.