Hypo in a non-D person
My grandmother always fussed about how she was hypoglycemic, a friend was complaining about it the other day, and I was feeling dreadful just a moment ago. I hadn't had breakfast yet (I'd never do that to my D child, but I'd do it to myself!), and I felt hungry, shaky, distracted, etc. All the signs of hypo, so I tested my sugar - 80.
Made me wonder:
Do non D folks get hypo under normal circumstances (not serious illness, malnutrition, etc)?
If not, why these hypo symptoms?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Shannon on -
It is very rare for a non-diabetic to become truly hypoglycemic. What your grandmother and friend are referring to is this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoglycemia_(common_usage)
I hope this helps.
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Permalink Reply by carb101 on -
Ah ha! I looked at Wiki, but did not see this obvious link. You've definitely hit the nail on the head Shannon. A bit of lunch, and I was good as new.
From Wikipedia:
In modern Western culture, "hypoglycemia" has taken on a colloquial meaning distinct from the medical condition of that name. Whereas the medical usage is defined by measurable low blood glucose, this common usage is used to describe a condition characterized by shakiness, moodiness, brain fog, crashes, and so forth, a condition for which a low blood glucose at time of symptoms is not required for diagnosis, carries no risk of death or brain damage, and which is treated mainly by eating habit changes rather than glucose, glucagon, drugs, hormones, or surgery.
The scientific medicine term for this condition is idiopathic postprandial syndrome.
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Permalink Reply by nel on
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I am not sure, if there is truth to this ....but my observation : I had similar events years prior to being diagnosed before my
( delayed ) meals ...cranky , wanted to pick a fight with everyone ..the usual low blood sugar signs; read somewhere at least 30 plus years ago ,that the chance is , that it may turn into diabetes.No finger poking in those days either to verify .I recall reading too , to eat 6 small meals daily to avoid the hypo's , to feed the cells with glucose ..( breakfast being one of them after a fast of probably 12 hours ...to " break the fast " =breakfast )
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Permalink Reply by Barrie on -
Hypoglycemia is less common in non-diabetic persons, but I would not characterize it as rare. Also, people who suffer from hypoglycemia are considered to be at a higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. I have a coworker whose doctor treated her for hypoglycemia for many years before she was diagnosed T2. My niece, who is in her 30's, also suffers from hypoglycemia, especially when she is physically active, & her doctors have advised her to get glucose tolerance testing at least annually.
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Permalink Reply by Shannon on
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Actually, it really is rare. As I wrote above, what people often call hypoglycemia is not truly hypoglycemia. Unless there is an actual blood glucose measurement, and that measurement is below 70 mg/dl, it is not medically considered hypoglycemia.
It feels lousy, but it is not life-threatening the way true hypoglycemia is.
The link I provided has a very accurate description of what I'm referring to.
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Permalink Reply by Shannon on
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Also, I meant to add that in most non-diabetic people with "hypoglycemia," it is usually self-diagnosed.
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Permalink Reply by Barrie on
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In the article you linked is the following: "Hypoglycemia is less common in non-diabetic persons, but can occur at any age, from many causes."
It goes on to discuss the "common usage" form of hypoglycemia, to which I assume you are referring.
Also, it states "The precise level of glucose considered low enough to define hypoglycemia is dependent on (1) the measurement method, (2) the age of the person, (3) presence or absence of effects, and (4) the purpose of the definition. While there is no disagreement as to the normal range of blood sugar, debate continues as to what degree of hypoglycemia warrants medical evaluation or treatment ..." and "Criteria referred to as Whipple's triad are used to determine a diagnosis of hypoglycemia."
Certainly, a diagnosis of hypoglycemia is not the same as severe hypoglycemia.
This might provide a clearer explanation: http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/hypoglycemia
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Permalink Reply by Shannon on
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The point I was attempting to make is that true hypoglycemia is not as common as most people seem to think.
I once asked my endocrinologist about this because, like some of the others have written, I experienced what I thought were hypoglycemic episodes before my Type 1 diagnosis. His response was that hypos in non-diabetics (and even in type 2 diabetics) are rare.
Given that, and the description of Whipple's Triad (which includes a "low plasma glucose measurement," I feel confident in my original statement. Even in the link you provided, the following statement seems to confirm my point:
"Reactive hypoglycemia was diagnosed more frequently 10-20 years ago than today. Studies have shown that most people suffering from its symptoms test normal for blood sugar, leading many doctors to suggest that actual cases of reactive hypoglycemia are quite rare."
As someone who experiences true hypoglycemia (i.e., blood sugars below 55 mg/dl), the symptoms ARE different.
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Permalink Reply by Stephen Gilbert on -
I actually have two friends with hypoglycemia... not severe, but it's there. It's not too rare, but it's not common either.
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on -
I've had the sensations of hypoglycemia before (dizziness, fatigue, crankiness, etc) but never measured my BG at the time - it was before Eric was diagnosed, and since I started eating better (and more frequently) it hasn't happened. But there was a time when my husband knew that if I said, "I need to eat NOW!" I meant it... because I was either on the verge of an emotional meltdown or I felt like was going to pass out. I kept glucose tabs in my purse long before my son was diagnosed simply because I didn't want to have one of those episodes while driving.
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on
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Yeah, that's exactly how I feel when I'm "low"! Hostile as all get-out, but once I eat, much calmer. That's why I started watching what and when I eat, because I hated taking it out on my family. Now that I do the 3 meals/2 snacks and protein with every meal routine, it rarely happens.
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Permalink Reply by Mahagony Jones on
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Interesting post. I remember having hypoglycemic (didn't know it as this) moments in my early 20s. I would even pass out. I remember telling people if I ever passed out to just give me a cold coke. I guess it was the sugar in that drink that made me feel better. As many times as I went to the doctor I don't recall anyone ever testing my blood sugar although I have had every heart test imaginable. I was diagnosed as a T1 a few months ago at the age of 31.
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