Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) Support Group
The term hypoglycemia literally means "low blood sugar." Hypoglycemia can produce a variety of symptoms and effects but the principal problems arise from an inadequate supply of glucose as fuel to the brain, resulting in impairment of function. Derangements of function can range from vaguely "feeling bad" to coma and in the worst case, can be fatal.
Hi everyone,
I have not posted in this support group before, but I am having a problem and wondering if anyone with hypoglycemia experiences this. I will preface this by saying that I have not formally been diagnosed (by a Dr, anyway) with hypoglycemia. I am recovering from anorexia at the moment, working with a dietitian, and trying to bring my weight up from a very underweight state. I cannot go more than about 3-4 hours between meals without beginning to experience symptoms of low blood sugar. My dietitian says this is basically because my body has no glycogen stores in my liver/muscles, so my body is relying on the food I consume for energy.
Lately, I have been experiencing early morning awakenings. I will wake up, wide awake, very early in the AM. It used to be 3 or 4, but now it is getting even earlier. It is typically about 4-5 hours after I go to sleep. But it happens like clockwork. When I wake up, I often experience a feeling like I need to eat something. I have read online and my dietitian has told me that low blood sugar will wake you up at night. I am wondering if anyone else experiences or has experienced this problem. I am at a loss for what to do. I always eat a large snack before bed, but am still having this issue, and wondering if it truly is related to my blood sugar, or something else. Any advice or input would be very much appreciated! Thanks so much.
I have not posted in this support group before, but I am having a problem and wondering if anyone with hypoglycemia experiences this. I will preface this by saying that I have not formally been diagnosed (by a Dr, anyway) with hypoglycemia. I am recovering from anorexia at the moment, working with a dietitian, and trying to bring my weight up from a very underweight state. I cannot go more than about 3-4 hours between meals without beginning to experience symptoms of low blood sugar. My dietitian says this is basically because my body has no glycogen stores in my liver/muscles, so my body is relying on the food I consume for energy.
Lately, I have been experiencing early morning awakenings. I will wake up, wide awake, very early in the AM. It used to be 3 or 4, but now it is getting even earlier. It is typically about 4-5 hours after I go to sleep. But it happens like clockwork. When I wake up, I often experience a feeling like I need to eat something. I have read online and my dietitian has told me that low blood sugar will wake you up at night. I am wondering if anyone else experiences or has experienced this problem. I am at a loss for what to do. I always eat a large snack before bed, but am still having this issue, and wondering if it truly is related to my blood sugar, or something else. Any advice or input would be very much appreciated! Thanks so much.
Not sure if you are still watching this, but wanted to say I have the same type of issue. I last eat at about 6 and wake up at about 1 in the morning with sweats, etc. Usually my sugar isn't all that low, in the low 80s but for me that's enough to react, or at least have my body yell at me.
I keep a thermos with about 8 oz of liquid and a scoop of protein powder mixed in by the bed. That way I don't wake up too much by heading into the kitchen. If I just drink that protein it's enough to stabilize and I can go back to sleep.
I am sorry I am just now replying to this, but thank you so much for your reply! I am sorry you are dealing with this same issue, but I appreciate you sharing this with me because it helps to know I am not alone. That's a great idea about keeping a small, high protein snack near the bed. I will definitely try that so I can get back to sleep more quickly.
As a side note, that is interesting you mentioned that your blood sugar isn't terribly low during these episodes. I have never taken my sugar at night because I don't have a meter, but when I have gotten bloodwork done 3-4hrs after a meal, my sugars are usually in the upper 70s and I start getting some hypoglycemic symptoms. I once had a doctor tell me that sometimes, our bodies react with hypoglycemic symptoms even if our sugars aren't terribly low. Not sure why that is, but I think it applies to both our cases.
Thank you again for your help!