Hypoglycemia Diet

[lizababy]

I received confirmation from my doctor today on having Reactive Hypoglycemia. During the 5 hour GTT, my blood sugar level dropped down to 42 at the 3 hour mark. My endocrinologist informed me that this is commonly seen in people with autonomic dysfunctions. I was not surprised by this diagnosis as I have spent most of my life craving candy, cookies, and sweets every couple of hours.

The doctor is sending me to a dietician in order to create a diet that assists with the hypoglycemia but is also high in sodium. For those of you with hypoglycemia, outside of small frequent meals, how do you manage your diet? What kind of changes should I expect?

[sue1234]

I literally have 2 tsp. of sugar in my morning 24 oz. iced tea and 1 tsp. in my afternoon 8 oz. tea. Besides that, I eat under 50 carbs all day--I believe a normal person would normally take in up to 200! So, I am "low" carb, and always pair with some kind of protein. If for ANY reason I don't have protein with a carb, I have to eat again in 2 hours or I'll go low. I have dessert like one time a year, at one of the holidays. Besides that, I do not eat any cookies, cakes, pies or anything else sugary.

I know caffeine is not good for hypo, BUT no caffeine is bad for my POTS! I cannot wake up without it, and it does help vasoconstrict. Good luck on the new diet.

Did they measure your insulin levels during the test?

[lizababy]

sue,

They did measure my insulin during the test. Normally, I would have asked for more information but by the time she gave me the basics regarding the hypoglycemia she had already hit me with a lot of other overwhelming test results (positive rheumatoid factor and positive Lyme test).

I am going to make a point to be a little bit more prepared at my next appointment with her.

[juliegee]

Whoah, LB-

You DO have a lot going on Sorry.

I have reactive hypoglycemia too. The way I understand it- protein is king: eggs, collage cheese, peanut better, hummus, cheese, chicken, fish, meat. Complex carbs are OK in small amounts, like brown rice, whole wheat bread or pasta, vegs. Fruit, fruit juice, and any sweet is a no-no. Limit caffeine and alcohol. If you must use a sweetener, Stevia is the best. Eat often- small meals frequently.

I read an article that described our bodies as a furnace and anything sweet or white (bread, rice, pasta) as paper- just burns too quickly. Protein and complex carbs are like coal- they burn more slowly and provide more efficient fuel. Anything sweet gives your blood sugar a huge swing up- followed by the huge swing down and you know how badly that feels.

Let us know if the diet helps.

Julie

[icesktr189]

I have this too, and find that I can eat sweets but must eat protein with them and be sure to eat within the next 3 hours.

[lizababy]

Thanks, Julie!

I had read about the no fruit juices, limited sweets/sugars. What do you guys drink to keep your bp up?

The abdominal blood pooling keeps me from eating very often throughout the day (pains, bloating, the usual) and I have always hated salt. I end up drinking copious amounts of G2 and vitaminwater in order to keep my electrolytes up and my bp somewhere near functionable. Are there other options?

[Chaos]

Good luck with the dietician. I saw one as part of a cardiac rehab program I went thru. Between the reactive hypoglycemia, migraines, GI problems, and high sodium needs, the dietician I saw was totally stumped.

It's interesting that your endocrinologist was aware that this is a common issue with people who have dysautonomia. I know several of us on here have theorized about this, but I haven't been able to get any of my docs (even the autonomic specialists) to acknowledge that there is a connection. Please keep us posted if you learn more from her!

[lizababy]

@Chaos -

The doctor actually started a new policy where they take the blood sugar of all patients with autonomic dysfunction at each appointment at the same time as the blood pressures. This is an endocrinologist so she runs a Diabetes clinic.

Admittedly, I am in the 3rd largest city in the United States; however, she is the only doctor listed in the entire state that treats any dysautonomia so her patients are either diabetic or have dysautonomia.

[Chaos]

That would make sense since diabetes is a frequent cause of autonomic dysfunction. I wonder why more endos don't make this connection.

[maryfw]

I am currently trying a high protein diet to see if it helps. I do feel hypoglycemic at times but tested negative for it. What do you eat the hummus with if avoiding carbs.

[vemee]

The high protein diet and metformin helped me immensley. I've found that even eating a fruit in the morning gives me trouble.

[gertie]

I found out the hard way over the years of hypoglycemia that I can't be strictly a vegan. I must have meat. The protein in beans, nuts, etc just doesn't keep my blood sugar stable. I also am unable to do any medical test that requires fasting. I tried 3 times to do a colonoscopy cleanse & started passing out each time about the 5th hour in spite of drinking what seemed like gallons of fluids. I never leave home without taking a snack with me. good luck!

[Serbo]

hows everyone doing who suffers from this?

I am getting tested in about a months time, but i feel this is a big cause of my feeling "out of it"

Been eating manuka honey lately quite a bit and it's messed me up for days feeling out of it.

I cant find good solid information on the best way to manage this apart from avoiding refined carbs (like honey!). I find my body is always looking for sugar.

Is the best treatment to avoid sugars as much as possible, or just to have suagry food when having a crash (this would be every couple of hours for me!)?

I only have low GI fruits like berries, and eat tons of protien. meat with every meal. Ethically not enjoying eating so much meat

[Serbo]

Also struggling trying to keep weight on with MCAD cuasing problems, I am carbing up to keep weight on and this isnt helping.

I need some high calorie hypoglycemia friendly food stuffs? Any ideas!

Thanks

Aaron