Reactive Hypoglycemia or Type 2 Diabetes Reversal?

[LoveLife]

Hello Everyone,

This is my first post on this amazing forum that I have (only) discovered 08/02/2012.

I am a type 2 Diabetic diagnosed sine November 17th 2006. Ever since my diagnosis I have taken full responsibility of my condition and have taken extreme measures to lose weight and take control of my illness and have gone from 14 stones to 10 stones now.

My BG levels are almost always between 5 - 6 - 7, maybe sometimes slightly lower. I have never had a hypo for the past 5 years, only recently I have started to experience symptoms of a hypoglycemic attack at least 2-3 times a day. My eating pattern remains the same. I am baffled.

I went to visit my GP and then a Endocrinologist regarding the symptoms and they've referred me to Barts Hospital for a weeks stay where I will go through many tests and BG tolerance test which I"m dreading. The Endocrinologist believes it maybe Reactive Hypoglycemia. They also believe that my Diabetes has been controlled so well that I may have reversed the condition as I have too much insulin release in my body and the pancreas doesn't yet know how to deal with it.

I am on a low carb diet but if I follow a complete low carb diet my BG goes down too low so no way of winning. Currently I have to eat something small every 2hrs (not very easy) and I have a constant headache as well. The hypos are very uncomfortable and pretty scary when I get it at 3 in the morning. It feels like my heart will jump out of my chest. It beats really fast, sweating and confused symptoms to name a few.

I am stressed and having to take time off work (as a driver) and bothering my other half early in the morning when she has to get up for work isn't ideal( she understands) but I know I have to get my symptoms under control before I can carry on normal, with life.

I am just hopeful there is something out there that would make me feel better soon.

Any suggestions or members with the same symptoms would be very beneficial for me in understanding what I may have and ways to control it efficiently.

Many Thanks

 

[Osidge]

Hi there

I am glad that you have found the forum and hope that you can get to the bottom of your situation. It is not an issue for me - I definitely have diabetes! I hope that this link will give you more information on what you may have and things you are good to help. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/fac ... garlow.htm

Regards

Doug

 

[youngmanfrank]

Are you on medication such as Metformin?

If you read the posts on the Newcastle University diet to reverse type 2 diabetes you will find that this diet sets out to de-fat diabetics,achieving similar weight loss to yourself and restoring insulin sensitivity levels back to normal.Perhaps you have achieved the same effect through your own efforts and should now eat more normally.

 

[Grazer]

Only your doctors can tell you if you have reactive hypoglycaemia.Your insuliun resistance will have improved greatly with the weight loss you have experienced, so it could simply be that you're having low blood sugar episodes because your diet is too low in carbs for the improved insulin resistance. Remember, non-diabetics can have low blood sugar episodes with symptoms like yours if they don't eat adequately for the energy they need to expend. I don't know how tall you are, but 10 stone could be a bit on the light side for your height? Perhaps you should be upping your carb input a bit then monitoring to see your BG reaction. I maintain about the same BGs as you quote, and I eat about 150 grams a day! Perhaps you can't go that high, but a few more could sort out the low sugar experiences. Of course, you need to see what the doc says on the other issue.

 

[Camilla]

Hello Everyone,

This is my first post on this amazing forum that I have (only) discovered 08/02/2012.

I am a type 2 Diabetic diagnosed sine November 17th 2006. Ever since my diagnosis I have taken full responsibility of my condition and have taken extreme measures to lose weight and take control of my illness and have gone from 14 stones to 10 stones now.

My BG levels are almost always between 5 - 6 - 7, maybe sometimes slightly lower. I have never had a hypo for the past 5 years, only recently I have started to experience symptoms of a hypoglycemic attack at least 2-3 times a day. My eating pattern remains the same. I am baffled.

I went to visit my GP and then a Endocrinologist regarding the symptoms and they've referred me to Barts Hospital for a weeks stay where I will go through many tests and BG tolerance test which I"m dreading. The Endocrinologist believes it maybe Reactive Hypoglycemia. They also believe that my Diabetes has been controlled so well that I may have reversed the condition as I have too much insulin release in my body and the pancreas doesn't yet know how to deal with it.

I am on a low carb diet but if I follow a complete low carb diet my BG goes down too low so no way of winning. Currently I have to eat something small every 2hrs (not very easy) and I have a constant headache as well. The hypos are very uncomfortable and pretty scary when I get it at 3 in the morning. It feels like my heart will jump out of my chest. It beats really fast, sweating and confused symptoms to name a few.

I am stressed and having to take time off work (as a driver) and bothering my other half early in the morning when she has to get up for work isn't ideal( she understands) but I know I have to get my symptoms under control before I can carry on normal, with life.

I am just hopeful there is something out there that would make me feel better soon.

Any suggestions or members with the same symptoms would be very beneficial for me in understanding what I may have and ways to control it efficiently.

Many Thanks

Do you test when you feel the hypo coming on? If so, what are your blood sugar levels at that time? You may be suffering 'false hypos'. In these you get the same symptoms but your bg is actually at a good normal level. Are you on any tablets at all? If not, and you are only diet controlled, it is very unlikely that you are having real hypos - but you might be. So I am interested in the actual numbers. I mean, I am diet controlled only and sometimes I do feel an episode of hunger and slight lightheadedness but my bg is always normal. So I never eat to to correct it, I just take a drink of water and rest and wait for my next normal meal.