Hypoglycemic Neuropathy?
 

I had a routine BMP done prior to my infusion last month, and I have noticed my glucose trending lower and lower....almost always below 60, but last two were quite low, 52 and 49. This was not fasting. I had used a Boost drink and banana, the one morning, about 2 hours before the blood draw. I don't think this is a fluke, since this is recurrent.

Of course, no one ever contacts me, and I find this out when I log into my account. I think this is really low.

Anyway, I saw some citations on hypoglycemic neuropathy....any one up on this? I AM eating plenty....if I keep it up, I will fit in Santa's suit.

Oh cripes.....Alpha Lipoic acid lowers blood sugar and thyroid hormones? Really? (I have been taking 100mg.)

100 mg of alpha lipoic is not much.

Low numbers at 2 hrs after food, is more a reactive hypo, and duration would be 1-2 hrs.

You would need a GTT to confirm that.

Here is a link showing various hypoglycemic states:
http://lightning.prohosting.com/~hyp...20Hypoglycemia

When I was hypothyroid, my fasting glucoses were very low... ave 70.
Once I normalized then they went to 90.

Hypoglycemic states starve the nerves and BRAIN. So it is important to clarify it I think. It can also precede diabetes II onset. It is basically due to over production of insulin.

When you get your test, ask for a fasting INSULIN also, and if that is elevated, then insulin resistance is likely.

I don't know why they haven't given me a GTT...I ask and they always tell me I don't need it....grrr. And we have T1DM in my family.

I will ask about the GTT, in the mean time, I guess I better get a better handle on eating 'small frequent meals'. I think the lapha lipoic has been helping pain, so I don't want to dc it.

Time to poke the primary with a stick.:Poke:

To reduce insulin levels, one needs to avoid alot of carbs.

The Zone diet explains this.

If you eat several smaller meals, add in some good fats (like nuts), and less carbs. Protein is good too. Salads with olive oil, etc.

But balancing protein with low glycemic carbs, will help keep blood sugar more normal.

Look at the Boost can and see how much sugar or corn syrup is in it. That would be your culprit. Food with fiber is better than drinking calories.

I have started having a lunch of nuts only, and I don't get hungry all day!

The Zone diet is easy to do, and very good at keeping blood sugar stable.

Most libraries have Dr. Sears' books now. Also available for very little $$ at Amazon.com used.

Enter the Zone is the first one, and the basic best one IMO.

This one book sent me on this path to supplements and prevention of illness over a decade ago. Changed my family and myself, and I ended up HERE! :p

Most medical doctors only look for elevated sugars.
They don't bother with low.

I looked up Boost... and the regular one-- I assume that is the one you used is 41grams of carbohydrate. 25grams sugar... second ingredient after WATER. Sugar is 1/2 fructose, which with the new research is something all of us should avoid.
This is why you had the hypoglycemic dip.

I have diabetes. What you are experiencing is called hypoglycemic unawareness. I can hit the mid to low 30s before I'm truly aware I'm crashing. I have my own suspicions as to why, I'm starting a continous glucose monitor tomorrow.

Sometimes I can have brain fog, I may or may not be going down, a few finger sticks will confirm that.

Why not keep a log of finger sticks, take into doc? The meter and strips from Walmart are inexpensive, and accurate. I suggest an am fasting stick, then 1 and 2 hours after each meal. Keep track of what you eat and drink too. Might help you and doc pinpoint a problem, if indeed there is one

Thank you,

Yes, it probably is too many carbs....'high fructose corn syrup'.

I am making an effort to switch to more protein, which given the eggs popping out of my hens, is pretty easy to do.

And yes, I am unaware of my hypoglycemia, totally. It must be the autonomic neuropathy. As far as I know I am not diabetic. I always run pretty low on glucose, but not this low!

Yep, it is time to get a really good handle on my diet....which will make every one else in my house get a handle on theirs too.

Oh, on the meter. I bought one a while back and then when I went for refill sticks they were horribly expensive.

I will see if insurance will cover a meter for me....or else get one that the sticks are cheaper.

I think it is time to watch this.

Well, the Relion brand strips from Walmart are about $20 for 50. 100 Freestyle strips (I have to use this brand) runs around $120.

Do keep in mind it's not just HFC, but breads, pasta, rice, fruits, and some veggies that are carby.

c
 

Hey baby gir went through this when i was in my 20's,and we both know that was a long time..........hmmmm /mine would go low and stay that way, I lost a I lost tons of weight,I didn't need to get to 70 lbs. The reason they gave back then was your living off your own body fat....
Mrs. D advice is so right on,now at old age my sugar shot up,I test 4 times a day. Oh boy I was ending up in the hospital not knowing where I was for days ,those wonderful nuurses took care of me. //and told me about the zone diet,every thing our .mrs./d told us about./my /dr. words just don't let it get low?Sue. If your Dr. writes a script for you meter most ins. will pay for it and your ref.My Dr. has a nurse pra. call the company ,since my hands have
a hard tiime holdind the met.. they will try and see whice one that won;t fly out of my hands and call the company and send all everything to the house.I'm seeing double so excue this mess but eat the nuts they will truly help. the zone diet is so easy,makes my dr. smileand olive oil does so many ood things,so dear one good luck and oh yes demand on that test. Hugs to all Sue:hug::hug::hug

ReliOn strips are being recalled today...

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...136#post728136

Not sure yours aussiemom, are the same ones. Looks like a full refund is available too.

Ages/decades ago? I was diagnosed as 'hypoglycemic'...
 

Today? When you look up definitions? They seem to meld a bit.
In my case, in certain circumstances IF I did not eat/or eat too many of certain carbs or sugars I could become 'hypoglycemic'. I underwent an 8 hour test in the mid '70s for this? and from all I've learned is that HYPO and HYPER-[as in diabetic?] glycemics process sugars at different speeds and in different ways. Diabetics peak and valley glucose wise faster? Hypo-g's take a longer loop? But peak and valley higher and lower by a lot!
Since I was 'hypo'? The things best for me diet-wise was to take in slo-processing protiens w/carbs such as cheese and crackers rather than a candy bar. IF I'm really down? A lemonade-like drink is a better alternative than a soda. These are foods that are slower to get you out of the 'dip'? But longer lasting in getting you on an even keel. Soo... it's not what you eat? But how and WHEN you eat anything! When I got glycemic? I'd simply pass out! For a short period of time, but yet? Not fun. I've had only one 3 hour GTT test since. Can I say totally inadequate? But, I'll do what I gotta do, when I must do it. BTW? No GTT test or the like has ever shown signs of Diabetes! Besides, couldn't they IMPROVE that 'glucola' taste some how?
I'd rather eat dissolved brown sugar! That atleast, has some goodies in it nutrition-wise, tho not many.
Ummm. How does one describe a GTT? Well: BORING! is adequate for a start, then, dull, More dull, and afterwards THUNGRY GRUMPY!
Overall? Garbage in, garbage out. SIGH! :hug::hug::hug::hug:s - j

I looked at my bottle of Lipoic and it is 200mg...but that still shouldn't do it.

As for the diet...yes, it does have to give. If I cut out the GARBAGE, I should be OK. Since I got the baby to care for, I have been neglecting myself...only so much energy.

I have started to avoid flour, cereal based stuff, and switching to veggies, fruits and MEAT and eggs. I have never been a meat eater, but time to start gnawing on that.

I do notice when I am nauseated, I crave sweets....I should probably have an egg at that time. My kids are hauling me off to Whole Foods today. My freezer is loaded with organic home grown stuff, but apparently there is something else at WH they think I need. There are just days that a brussel sprout cooking makes me want to upchuck. (I bet I have 10# of frozen B sprouts in my freezer.)

Is there any supplement like drink that is bettter than Boost or Ensure? Is Glucerna better? I do need a supplement drink for days when the stomach is bad.

One way to get nourishment without doing heavy meat is to
get some Whey powder (WalMart sells small sizes of this affordably)... Whey is predigested and provides amino acids to
protect your muscles and heart. You can make smoothies out of it, with coconut oil, flax oil, fruit, whatever. Some people put lecithin granules in it too. It is rather fun to make the stuff and very nourishing and you control sweetness etc with healthful things and not sugar.

Whey powder is very good because it does not need much stomach action and you have problems with that. A tablespoonful of flax oil will provide you with Omega-3s too. You won't taste it in the smoothie. I use vanilla whey because that is bland and mixes well with most things.