Hypoglycemia
Find a Conversation
| Sun, 12-19-2004 - 9:05am |
Hi everyone! I don't know if I'm in the right place, but I couldn't find a message board about hypoglycemia. I haven't been "diagnosed" with it, per se, but realize after doing my research that I have a pretty bad case. I was told to see a doc and take the fasting glucose test. I'm worried about that b/c I know how I feel after not eating for just 2 hours. How can I go for 12?? I heard from a nurse that a blood test can check for the levels of a certain hormone (forgot what it is). Would a test really prove anything besides what I already know? I make sure I eat at regular intervals now, keep protein around and let family members know about the symptoms so they know what to do.
The onset of symptoms (some severe) started a couple years ago. I'm assuming this is hereditary since my mom is pre-diabetic and my brother was diagnosed with Type II (however, since he's lost weight it's getting better). I could stand to lose a few pounds, but have always been very conscious of my health.
If anyone has any tips on living with hypo or advice on what I should do next, it would be greatly appreciated. Have a great holiday everyone!
Andrea

Hello Andrea!
YOu are very welcome to the board! There are so many wonderful ladies here and offer quite a wealth of information and support.
I started here like yourself with hypoglycemia and lots of questions. Everyone has been especially helpful in providing information and support. Probably one of the best tips I received was to invest in a blood glucose meter and test myself throughout the day. I usually test first thing in the morning, about 2 hours after eating and then if I'm feeling symptomatic. I record everything on a worksheet in Excel. I have printed off the charts for my doctor and based on that information, I was not only diagnosed hypoglycemic but type II diabetic as well. I was never able to reproduce the extreme highs and lows in the lab setting but have experienced them over the last year and they are charted on my own. What is very helpful for me as well was seeing a pattern throughout my day and throughout the month. I was worse during PMS and around 10 or 11 in the morning I was very low. I can now prepare for them in advance to avoid having any bad reactions etc.
I hope this helps some - again, welcome to the board and I hope you find answers and comfort here!
Jennifer
Hey Jennifer,
Thanks so much for the wonderful tip! I did my research and bought a meter today. I also have an appt next week to see about getting other tests to rule out anything else. The chart idea is great--I've been doing something similar--keeping a food diary. I chart what time I eat, what I ate, how it made me feel, any exercise I did and how much water I drink every day. I'm not trying to diagnose myself, but I'm very much a believer in taking your health into your own hands. I know how I feel, regardless of what some test says. Hopefully this doctor is one who will listen and not just try to give me a happy pill. :)
Keep you posted...
Andrea
Well I have my initial appt next Tuesday for a blood test. Don't know exactly what for, but they said I needed one. I have to fast for 12 hours. I'm assuming it's not the same thing as the fasting glucose one where you have to drink that icky syrup. So far my glucose levels have been good, but I've been really monitoring what I eat. I'm still very shaky about an hour after I eat and hungry all the time. Plus, I'm so incredibly thirsty. I'll be curious to see what the tests show. I realize that these symptoms don't necessarily mean diabetes or hypoglycemia. I'd be very surprised if I do have it. I've been neurotic about my health all my life, tried to watch my weight, could exercise a little more though. :) But my grandmother died from kidney failure, mom has pre-diabetes and brother had Type II before his gastric bypass (but now he's having probs with hypoglycemia). I'm also 25...I don't know anyone my age who has diabetes (besides Type I). But I guess it doesn't really matter. I'm just gathering as much info as I can just in case. Like you said, Cheryl, I'm off to a good start and if nothing else, more concious of my health.
Everyone have a wonderful holiday!!!
Hi Andrea,
Welcome to the board. My fellow boardies have given you such wonderful advise that there isn't much that I can add.
I do want to clear up one confusion and that is the test you most likely will be having is a fasting blood sugar and also cholesterol. The other test taht you referred to is the glucose tolerance test and it is unlikely that you will have that test on your initial visit. This is the test where you drink the controlled amount of glucose and the lab takes your blood for up to four hours.
So please let us know what your test results are. By the way many people who have gastric by-pass surgery have difficulty with hypoglycemic reactions. There tummies are too small for them to absorb all the nutrients they need. There is a difference between hypogylcemic reactions and hypoglycemia. As a diabetic I get hypoglycemic reactions but I don't have hypoglycemia.
Do have a great holiday and don't worry too much about the doctor's visit.