I have experienced hypoglycemic episodes for several years now - not confirmed by a GP - usually resolved by eating biscuits, bread, water, etc. However, I have recently changed my diet & have noticed that they have been occurring every day at the same time since I changed it. I decided to eat less bread & therefore have started having an omelette with salad for my lunch, instead of the usual cheese or banana sandwich. However, an hour later, I start getting symptoms, usually whilst out walking the dog. I have never noticed a pattern before & have never experienced them on a daily basis. Is it my change in diet? Is it due to the lack of bread/carbohydrate? Do I need to start eating bread again? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
How to prevent hypoglycemia
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Resurgam
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How about adding in just a little more carbs to lunch? A few more carbs from tomato perhaps, or if possible eating earlier.
I was having symptoms of hypos at about 3 or 4 pm and found that spacing out the two meals I do eat more evenly was better - I only eat twice a day.
Carbs are not something needed, but they seem to help in small amounts at the right time when the metabolism is out of balance.
I was having symptoms of hypos at about 3 or 4 pm and found that spacing out the two meals I do eat more evenly was better - I only eat twice a day.
Carbs are not something needed, but they seem to help in small amounts at the right time when the metabolism is out of balance.
Lamont D
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Hi, @bods,
Welcome to our forum.
First question, how do you know you are having hypoglycaemic episodes?
Do you have a glucometer to test yourself?
Why did you change your diet?
If you are having regular episodes, it is what you are eating.
But, until you get a proper diagnosis, and start finding out what is causing the episodes, I am in the dark as much as you.
I can only tell you of my experience and some dietary advice which can help control Hypoglycaemia.
Hypoglycaemia has many causes, but the usual dietary intake can be significant in triggering the excess insulin response which lowers blood glucose levels to hypo levels.
Because of how your digestive system works, if you are hypoglycaemic, the glucose derived from your meals is used quickly and either your first insulin response or your second insulin response, gives you too much high circulating insulin into your blood, that causes the hypo over the next couple of hours. Depending on how much, carbs, protein and fats we have ate, will the hypo start happening, for someone like me, it can be between three and a half hours to four and a half.
A glucose tolerance test will have me going hypo at four hours every time.
A referral to a specialist endocrinologist is necessary for doing the tests required for diagnosis.
Your doctor cannot have the necessary training to recognise symptoms. Unless he's been trained specifically for metabolic conditions of that type, and still would not have the facility for the necessary tests. Only hospitals can do these tests.
Even if you don't have Hypoglycaemia, having a glucometer will help you put your mind at ease.
And yet, you could have a food allergy. Or something similar.
Best wishes
Welcome to our forum.
First question, how do you know you are having hypoglycaemic episodes?
Do you have a glucometer to test yourself?
Why did you change your diet?
If you are having regular episodes, it is what you are eating.
But, until you get a proper diagnosis, and start finding out what is causing the episodes, I am in the dark as much as you.
I can only tell you of my experience and some dietary advice which can help control Hypoglycaemia.
Hypoglycaemia has many causes, but the usual dietary intake can be significant in triggering the excess insulin response which lowers blood glucose levels to hypo levels.
Because of how your digestive system works, if you are hypoglycaemic, the glucose derived from your meals is used quickly and either your first insulin response or your second insulin response, gives you too much high circulating insulin into your blood, that causes the hypo over the next couple of hours. Depending on how much, carbs, protein and fats we have ate, will the hypo start happening, for someone like me, it can be between three and a half hours to four and a half.
A glucose tolerance test will have me going hypo at four hours every time.
A referral to a specialist endocrinologist is necessary for doing the tests required for diagnosis.
Your doctor cannot have the necessary training to recognise symptoms. Unless he's been trained specifically for metabolic conditions of that type, and still would not have the facility for the necessary tests. Only hospitals can do these tests.
Even if you don't have Hypoglycaemia, having a glucometer will help you put your mind at ease.
And yet, you could have a food allergy. Or something similar.
Best wishes
bulkbiker
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Thank you! I hadn't realised tomato was a carb!!!!! I will definitely give that a go.
Thank you for your reply. I suppose I don't know for definite - I just know that when I googled (as you do these days!) the symptoms I get are those all listed for hypoglycaemia. I have mentioned it to my doctor before but didn't really get much help.
The symptoms I experience are extreme weakness, shakiness, headache, confusion, unable to concentrate, almost a "panic". The one today has made me feel rough. So just wondered if there was something I could do to prevent it from occurring in the first place. (Cut out the bread to try & lose a few pounds 
)
)
Bluetit1802
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I think what you need is your own glucose meter. You can then keep tabs on what levels you are experiencing. Testing when you start to feel rough and every 15 minutes for an hour or so should help. Going by "feeling" isn't good enough because it may not even be hypoglycaemia. It could be anything, including high blood sugar!. I genuinely think that testing will help you understand what is happening.
bulkbiker
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I'll second what @Bluetit1802 has said. You should get a meter and start testing especially when you are feeling "off" .
Here is some info on the cheapest meters..
https://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/
(or telephone: 01923 711511)
for the SD Codefree meter, which costs £12.98 or:
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/
(or telephone: 0116 2865000)
who distribute the TEE 2 meter, which is free.
The cost of testing comes down to the ongoing charges for test strips and lancets.
For the SD Codefree, the strips are £7.69 for a pack of 50 and there are discount codes available for bulk purchases:
5 packs x 50 use code: 264086 .. cost is £29.49
10 packs x 50 use code: 975833 .. cost is £58.98
For the TEE 2, the strips are £7.75 for a pack of 50 .. but there are no discount codes currently available
Make sure that you tick the appropriate box on the on-line order form and you won't pay VAT on your meter or strips. For the bulk discount on strips for the SD Codefree, you need to complete the order (check the boxes to confirm that you are diabetic and the number of packs that you want). Then click on view basket and on the left hand side of the window you will see two boxes .. Coupon Code and Apply Coupon. Enter the relevant discount code in the first box and then click the Apply Coupon box. This applies the discount and adjusts the price .. and finally, you then proceed to checkout.
I should add many thanks to @AM1874 Who compiled this useful guide.
As you hven;t been diagnosed then you might not tick the "I have diabetes" box so you may have to pay the VAT...
Here is some info on the cheapest meters..
https://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/
(or telephone: 01923 711511)
for the SD Codefree meter, which costs £12.98 or:
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/
(or telephone: 0116 2865000)
who distribute the TEE 2 meter, which is free.
The cost of testing comes down to the ongoing charges for test strips and lancets.
For the SD Codefree, the strips are £7.69 for a pack of 50 and there are discount codes available for bulk purchases:
5 packs x 50 use code: 264086 .. cost is £29.49
10 packs x 50 use code: 975833 .. cost is £58.98
For the TEE 2, the strips are £7.75 for a pack of 50 .. but there are no discount codes currently available
Make sure that you tick the appropriate box on the on-line order form and you won't pay VAT on your meter or strips. For the bulk discount on strips for the SD Codefree, you need to complete the order (check the boxes to confirm that you are diabetic and the number of packs that you want). Then click on view basket and on the left hand side of the window you will see two boxes .. Coupon Code and Apply Coupon. Enter the relevant discount code in the first box and then click the Apply Coupon box. This applies the discount and adjusts the price .. and finally, you then proceed to checkout.
I should add many thanks to @AM1874 Who compiled this useful guide.
As you hven;t been diagnosed then you might not tick the "I have diabetes" box so you may have to pay the VAT...
Lamont D
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- Type of diabetes
- Reactive hypoglycemia
- Treatment type
- I do not have diabetes
The symptoms you are describing are asymptomatic for most endocrine conditions.
It could be high blood glucose levels as well as low.
Did your doctor do blood tests?
Lamont D
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- Type of diabetes
- Reactive hypoglycemia
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No.
If you're gonna persuade your GP that something is not right, this has to be the first step in diagnosis regardless of diagnosis.
Having a glucometer and keeping a food diary will help not only assuage your fears but also confirm what is actually happening.
Let us know how you get on.
Best wishes
