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Just feel weird - vertigo?

N

nzmegs

Newbie
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4
In the last few weeks I have been experiencing mild vertigo, wobbles and dizziness, I have been consistently putting on weight (a stone in a few weeks) and had real trouble with my appetite. I am usually very careful with a low carb diet, but have recently found it really hard to stick to.

I figured I was heading for diabetes and checked my blood sugars one morning - 3.5! really low and no wonder I felt pretty rotten. But I thought diabetes meant high blood sugars?

So I am confused. I guess I am over-producing insulin which is leading to low blood sugars. But wonder if this is usual progression of this pre-diabetes state.

Is the answer an even lower low carb diet? because all carbs seem to just make me feel strange - dizzy and sick. In fact most food is producing this effect. Also getting anxiety issues and rapid heart rate, feeling hot etc. My body is asking for sugar because of low blood sugars, but that exacerbates the problem, right? So what do I do to feel better?

My blood pressure is also low, but that isn't unusual for me.

I am currently around 25 pounds overweight with a BMI of about 30.

Just want to know if this is what generally happens when diabetes is imminent and what to do to prevent it. Pretty clued up on blood sugars and insulin, but confused with this.
 
When you say vertigo do you mean like the room is spinning? I ask as I've recently had this type of dizziness. It was so bad one day I couldn't get out of bed. I've been told I have vestibular neuritis which is an inflammation of an ear nerve.
My GP told me spinning rather than just dizziness is usually a ear problem which affects balance.
It's caused by a virus most likely brought on by a chest infection I had. All in all it played havoc with my sugars for a few weeks.
I am type 1.
Could you have something similar?


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It sounds like an electrolyte imbalance to me. All of your symptoms could be related to low potassium, magnesium, salt, etc. People are advised to use either supplements or drink broth/bouillon when eating a low carb diet.
 
If you got these dizzy symptoms after the anxiety started then I would say it is caused by hyperventilating due to anxiety. Probably wouldn't be helped by the lower blood sugar levels as that can cause light headedness as well. For me anyway.
 
So, been doing plenty of research on this and it really does sound like pre-diabetes. The low blood sugars are probably just fluctuating, but I am missing the highs. it seems that many people have these symptoms and are subsequently diagnosed with pre-diabetes. People also report blurred vision and tingling hands and feet - that also fits my symptoms.

it definitely isn't a virus as I have been well. I had labyrinthitis once and it was terrible - different to these symptoms.

I have knocked the carbs on the head as of the last 2 days and actually starting to feel better. That was tricky because it made me feel worse initially. but woke up this morning feeling marginally better. More energy at least - still a bit dizzy tho.

I agree about the electrolytes so am making sure i am getting extra salt and have started a magnesium supplement. the anxiety seems to come with no reason but apparently magnesium does help.
 
Are you sure you are pre-diabetic? I ask this, as with a fasting/blood glucose of 3.5 it doesn't sound like it. (I personally would have to not eat for a couple of days at least to get a reading like that.) Has your doctor actually said you are headed for diabetes? (ie with a HBAIc between 41 and 48 inclusive). A consultation with the doctor, and a blood lipid test will solve the mystery....
 
I think you need to visit a doctor for a diagnosis, rather than diagnose yourself. We can all diagnose ourselves by consulting Dr Google but only a consultation with a medical professional can tell what is wrong with you.
 

Hi @nzmegs

You do have a blood hormone condition.
What it is, I have no idea, only a doctor can sort it out.

But some of your symptoms, have similar ones to Hypoglycaemia.
The shakes, blurred vision, heart rate, feeling hot, slowly putting on weight, you feel dizzy and sick after carbs, the one that stands out is anxiety.

If you can have a read about hypoglycaemia in the forum and Wikipedia is a good source.

If the low blood sugars are regularly happening after eating carbs, then yes, low carbing and eating little and often is the way to stop this.

I have Reactive Hypoglycaemia and I empathize with your symptoms.

But then I could be reading into something that maybe isn't there. It could be something like hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism!

Let us know how you get on.
 
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