Hypoglycemia

[cjsmith]

I tend to have pretty low blood sugar. If I don't eat in a while, I get weak, shaky, clammy or too hot, irritable, and lightheaded. Haven't fainted yet, but that's only due to experience: I know I gotta eat when I get like that, so I eat before I fall down. The only actual glucose level reading I've had showed me in the high forties or low fifties (can't remember exactly) - somewhat below the normal range, and that was when I was feeling okay.

I hear hypoglycemia is an overused word -- that it's not a disease, but a symptom (after which the same author refers to it as a "syndrome", in which case I think he's just dicking with semantics in order to appear well-informed). I hear from other sources that it is in fact a disease and can have one of two causes: low glycogens in the liver (rare) or overemphatic insulin response (more common, a pre-diabetes condition). I do have diabetes in my family. I don't know what to think about my situation without a glucose tolerance test. Given my needle phobia and the general unpleasantness of getting woozy without food, a glucose tolerance test seems about as attractive as napping on train tracks. But for now, I have tentatively self-diagnosed as hypoglycemic and will take the suggestions provided by dieticians on how to handle that.

This means I have to cut WAY back on simple sugars - no more fruit, sodas, cookies, chocolates, etc. I am going to cheat and allow myself a budget of one bite-sized chocolate in a day. So far, I'm way under budget, so I feel like that's not a danger. Also, very low blood sugar can apparently be treated with an application of simple sugars as long as it's not a big whale of a lot.

I also have to eat more protein and a bunch of complex carbs. Doing this without my fat intake going through the roof will be a challenge. And I should eat many small meals instead of three big ones. That is very difficult for me; I usually eat two meals a day. And I'm hoping to avoid gaining weight OR cholesterol. I have extra as it is.

Omega-3,6,9 fatty acids are apparently good. Olive oil! and those horrid large flaxseed oil pills. Too bad protein doesn't come in pill form. Those powders are pretty bad.

Wheee. Good luck to me.

Comments

[abz6598.livejournal.com]

Turkey san., babe..all your problems can be solved with a nice turkey on rye.

I am not a doctor but I talk out of my ass on the net.

[firecat]

If you had any blood glucose reading in the 40s or 50s, you are hypoglycemic, no question about it. Normally blood sugar never goes below 80 or above 120.

A balanced diet is best. People with glucose problems shouldn't eat really high-protein because it is hard on the kidneys. The best thing is to eat some of all 3 food groups at each mealette.