Hypoglycaemia v's sugar spikes?

[Purple Hugs]

When do you know the difference?

I am not diagnosed Diabetic.

I have had problems with low blood sugar for years (about 18 now). Initially I was diagnosed with epilepsy but I learnt that if I ate somethign sweet the problem passed.

I have looked at the diabetic symptoms in the passed, but ruled them out as I don't excessively drink or visit the loo so thought it wasn't 'that bad'. But after looking at hypoglycaemia I'm beginning to wonder.

My symptoms are:
dizziness, shaking, mood change, tiredness.. if un treated I lose my vision (like an un-tuned television), hearing goes funny and I pass out.

I have reacted to this for so many years now, that I don't know if it's 'normal' or not.

I haven't passed out in years, but was very close after a blood test, and more recently during a mammogram.

Since starting atkins I have found my symptoms have eased, which is good, but I'm tired a lot more these days... lifestyle hasn't changed much. When I exercise I'm getting my old symptoms back also. I tend to eat a bit of cheese.

I guess what I am asking is if I should see my GP?
And to test my blood sugar will I have to come off atkins temporarily?

What do you think? Thanks for your opinion.

[Uniquely_Ambi]

I have the exact same symptoms as you and was originally diagnosed as a diabetic, however my blood sugar is never too high. Normal for me is high 70's or low 80's, I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia in November. Sounds to me that's what you have. You might want to see a doctor. Atkins has tremendously helped with the symptoms I just have to make sure I'm getting at least 15-20 carbs a day.

[Purple Hugs]

Originally Posted by Uniquely_Ambi

I have the exact same symptoms as you and was originally diagnosed as a diabetic, however my blood sugar is never too high. Normal for me is high 70's or low 80's, I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia in November. Sounds to me that's what you have. You might want to see a doctor. Atkins has tremendously helped with the symptoms I just have to make sure I'm getting at least 15-20 carbs a day.

Thanks amber. I'll go and have a chat now, I was so afraid they'd say I was diabetic!
It was a first aid course I am doing that listed the symptoms of Hypo, and I sat there thinking.. OMG!
totally weird when I've been having them since age 15...

Do you control it through your eating? Or are you on meds now?
Oh and how did they go about diagnosis? What is involved?

[Uniquely_Ambi]

Originally Posted by Purple Hugs

Thanks amber. I'll go and have a chat now, I was so afraid they'd say I was diabetic!
It was a first aid course I am doing that listed the symptoms of Hypo, and I sat there thinking.. OMG!
totally weird when I've been having them since age 15...

Do you control it through your eating? Or are you on meds now?
Oh and how did they go about diagnosis? What is involved?

I don't think you are diabetic, but if you are you need to know NOW! I'm not on any meds and I control it strictly through diet. I never feed my symptoms with sugar or sweets. When an attack hits me I prefer cheese or some meat. I sit with some water and it helps. In extreme cases, the passing out, blindness, etc I will have a bit of whole wheat bread. It hits the blood stream pretty quick, but that's a rare instance. Almost always some cheese or meat.

My dr. referred me to a endocronologist because I was asking about my diabetes and he told me I didn't have it. I told him yes I do, I'm shaky and stuff. So, I got referred and she told me the same thing. After taking my blood sugar (high 70's), she gave me a glucometer and told me to track it. It's always around 80 or so. She ran some blood tests and found out I had some chemical that was low (can't remember the name) and that was the cause. Nothing much can be done about it, I'm just aware and try to take care of myself.

[Purple Hugs]

Thanks, that will really help to know it's something dietry rather than needing meds.

I have controlled it for years, but by eating chocolate or such sugary things.

I think i'll have a chat with my Gp to see if it is that, and if so, then get some advice on diet, as last time I attempted Atkins and started exercising regularly I was drained after exercise.. to the point of needing to sleep.

thanks again. :hug

[Uniquely_Ambi]

no problem. Feel free to pm me anytime about this. You just have to remember to spread your carbs throughout the day. Veggies are VERY important. Move to OWL as soon as you can (if you haven't already). I lost weight much faster this way and felt much better.

[2big4mysize]

yep you sound like you have hypo and low carbing is the key to controlling it as hypo make too much insulin for various reasons. since on Atkins we don't have much acall for insulin we keep the levels normal and let the glucagen do the work for us :nod burning up our fats. the key is normal amounts of whatever level you find works best for you and you may need a pre or post exercise low carb feeding to keep you normal for you.

Your doctor can run some tests and tell you immediately if you have a blood sugar problem or some other hormone is the bandit here.

[Purple Hugs]

Thanks Both

Do you mean I need to have a different 'level' of carbs for days I exercise? Would this stop me being so tired?

What level of carbs do you eat Amber?

I tried OWL last time and completely stalled... that with no energy, and then a health scare in the form of a breast lump ran me off the atkins road! :confused so I'd love to be able to find the right level for me.

[2big4mysize]

did you do your induction cheat free? if so that 14 day weight loss will tell you what your metabolic rate is in the charts inDANDR chapter 13 and then knowing your metabolic rate you can see what your CCLL should be in the page 173 of OWL and ifyou read the * you will see execise can increase your carb limit. I know when I when I was laid up with my knees last spring I was down to 45 carbs but when I was working out I was losing eatting over 100 net carbs a day.

[Uniquely_Ambi]

I'm currently on induction, so about 15-20 carbs a day. On OWL I had about 30-40 a day and lost pretty good until my stall in Oct.

Everyone's level is diff. I recommend doing what 2big said to find out where your level is at.