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.
Im new to this group, so I'm going to explain my situation and see what you guys think.
Im 18 years old and was diagnosed as hypoglycemic at 16. But I am very different than most with this. While Ive had my meter read "LO" before, Ive also had it read "HI". Last week for example my lowest was in the 40s and highest around 300. If im hypo then why the heck do I get readings that high? It's so unstable.
I cannot be put on insulin because I drop so fast and the doctors are scared it would make it worse... so they just diagnosed me as hypo. Anyone else have this problem or maybe some advice?
-Hannah
Im 18 years old and was diagnosed as hypoglycemic at 16. But I am very different than most with this. While Ive had my meter read "LO" before, Ive also had it read "HI". Last week for example my lowest was in the 40s and highest around 300. If im hypo then why the heck do I get readings that high? It's so unstable.
I cannot be put on insulin because I drop so fast and the doctors are scared it would make it worse... so they just diagnosed me as hypo. Anyone else have this problem or maybe some advice?
-Hannah
In some ways this doesn't make sense to me, but I'm not an expert.
My blood sugar level goes up high, above normal, and my insulin levels go up very high to try to compensate. I do not have any sugar in my urine, so the doctor told me that I'm not diabetic even though my sugar level goes above normal.
Someone can help me out with this to make sure I'm correct in saying that if you have sugar in your urine, you would be considered diabetic. Do you know if you tested positive for sugar in your urine?
Did you have an insulin test with your glucose test? This test helped explain my ups and downs, and why I have hypoglycemia.
If you don't know the answers, ask your doctors if you tested positive for sugar in your urine, and if your insulin levels have been in the normal range (if that was tested).
Because I get very sick, I could only take the 2 hour glucose insulin test. It is recommended to have the test done for at least 5 or 6 hours. If you had one done, do you remember the results?
Patti
I don't know. It doesn't make much sense. It has been pretty bad yesterday and throughout the night, more so than usual. It was feeling low yesterday afternoon so I ate supper and then I started feeling worse so I checked it and it was 319. So I didn't eat anything else before bed. It dropped so low in the middle of the night that it woke me up. I was shaking so bad, and I was just really confused feeling. With it that low I didn't bother to check it, I just ate. I ate a pop tart at like 4 in the morning, and I've felt okay since then...
The doctors never found any sugar in my urine, and like you I could only take the 2 hour test. From that test they diagnosed me as hypo. The doctors know my sugar gets high, but say it's too risky to put me on insulin. I can understand that considering how bad my sugar crashes and how unstable it is. It's just hard to manage with it going both ways like that. I'm not sure what to do with it.
-Hannah
Your symptoms sound very much like mine. It took years for me to be diagnosed with hypoglycemia.
That's good that the doctors didn't put you on insulin since you're not diabetic.
What helped me more than anything was to see a nutritionist who was very knowledgeable in hypoglycemia and other health issues. Most doctors do not know much about nutrition and how food can help someone's health.
Did your doctor refer you to a nutritionist? Did your doctor give you any guidelines on how to help stabilize your blood sugar? Are you on a specific diet and regimen?
Patti