Medical Questions > Conditions and Diseases > Hypoglycemia Forum

Skinny People with Reactive Hypoglycemia

Must Read
Learn the basics about skin health, including risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment options. ...
Learn about risk factors to developing a skin disorder. ...
Learn about screening and diagnosis options available for various skin disorders....
I just discovered this forum, what a great source of information!

Anyhow, I'm a 35 year old male, 5'10", and 145 pounds. I've always been skinny, and have suffered from Reactive Hypoglycemia for years. Since learning about the proper diet a few years ago, my symptoms are under control most days. Almost everyone on my fathers side of the family has diabetes, so I'm certain my RH is genetic.

I've done quite a bit of research into diabetes and RH, and have a pretty good understanding of the interplay between glucose, insulin, glycogen, etc... but what I'm having trouble understanding, is how this all works in skinny/underweight people?

The way I understand it, insulin shuttles the excess glucose into fat cells (which can grow indefinitely), and is why most people with diabetes or RH are overweight. By "excess glucose", I mean that which can't be absorbed by the liver and muscle cells, due to them being full of glycogen already, or insulin resistant.

So my question is, where does this excess glucose go in skinny people? Obviously, it's not being turned into fat. I have a flat stomach/6 pack, so I'm not one of those skinny people with visceral fat.

Back when I was eating your typical American diet (high in sugars and processed carbs, I had to pee all the time. Often, at least once an hour, and I'd wake up a couple times in the night to pee. I also remember that my urine would often appear cloudy, like it had some crystalline substance mixed into it. Does this mean, I'm eliminating the excess glucose in my urine?

If anyone can help explain this to me, I'd sure appreciate it...
Did you find this post helpful?
|

replied May 13th, 2011
Have you actually seen a low glucoe reading on a home monitor to self diagnose reactive hypoglycemia?
|
Did you find this post helpful?

replied October 3rd, 2012
Reactive Hypoglycemia in slim or skinny people
i am having the symptoms of RH as well and i am skinny. Since 1.5 years symptoms became more remarkable .Now i am sure that i have it.Eventhough i havent done OGTT its because i know all the symptoms( ear ringing, andrenaline flashes, heart palpitations, blurry vision and confuseness) My fasting blood sugar was 74 and 2 hours after breakfast was 84 (yogurt muesli and salad and i was keeping it under control with lo-carbs since 4 days). The doc. told me that i have hypoglycemia and it should be treated but that day was the day of my flight to the country where i am living now so i couldnt see any other doctor... i am trying to keep it under control with eating yogurt and veggies and proteins and low GI food and lo carbohydrates.
But today i had a herbal tea with my morning muesli and i had palpitations in 30 mins. How am i gonna deal with this situation? is there any different diet for RH in slim or skinny people? And does it evolve even though you make a good diet? Is there any way to at least pause it?
|
Did you find this post helpful?

replied October 3rd, 2012
I've spent the past couple years researching this, and fixing the problem, so I'd like to offer some advice...

The solution is to follow the Paleo or Primal Diet, which is to eat a lower carb, higher fat, moderate protein diet. You'll also eliminate grains and other processed carbs when eating Paleo/Primal.

You can find many sites on the internet, and many books available to teach you the proper way to eat.
These sites and books will also explain the science behind your blood sugar & insulin problems.

Based on what you wrote, I'd make the following suggestions...

Don't eat yogurt - it is one of the most insulinogenic foods there is. It spikes your insulin, even though it is low on the glycemic index and doesn't raise your blood sugar. Milk is even worse. Google "Insulin Index" to learn more about this. It's safe to eat butter and heavy cream, but stay away from other dairy products.

Caffeine is also bad news for hypoglycemic people like us. Even tea, which has a relatively small amount of caffeine, can be a problem. It causes a cascade of stress hormones to be released, which will throw your blood sugar out of whack.

For me, fruit is also a big problem, especially if I don't eat it with lots of fat. The only fruit I eat is a small serving of berries, covered in heavy cream. The reason this is problem, is the fruit triggers an insulin release, even though it doesn't really raise your blood sugar much. The result, is that your blood sugar drops.

With every meal, you should eat mostly fat, with a little protein, and a little carb. Never eat carbs alone.

Read those websites and buy the books by Mark Sisson and Robb Wolf...the dietary changes can be difficult, but they changed my life! I no longer suffer with hypoglycemia and blood sugar issues

Finally, you need to get exercise, at least every other day. And it should preferably be weight training, as opposed to cardio. This will help deplete your glycogen stores, and make your muscles and liver more insulin sensitive, which is a huge factor in fixing your blood sugar issues. I can't stress this enough. The root cause of hypoglycemia & blood sugar problems, is insulin resistance. Exercise will help reverse this problem.
|
Did you find this post helpful?

replied October 4th, 2012
Thanks MoreReverb
Since two weeks i thought that i was having an healthier diet and eating loads of yogurt with everything.
But that just doesn't help the situation as far as i experience. Because my symptoms are getting worse (especially nights).
So how did you deal with the situation at nights?
It is so bad to wake up with that feeling, with dry mouth and nausea and sweat and abdominal&leg pains... And trying to eat something proper even though i don't have any hunger at all! But still those adrenaline flashes or warnings won't leave me in peace and won't let me sleep again easily..
When do you go to bed and have your last meal? What would be your advice for a bedtime snack? I also think water is another big issue... Should i drink lots of water? I am really so new to all these symptoms so sorry for my questions.

The interesting thing is, 1.5 years ago when it all began at a party, i thought it was just bad drinks or me not having a good meal right before. And i took care of myself with some sports and frequent meals. Without any special diet! And it was gone for nearly 9 months and it came back last march again but stronger this time. And i thought again i should be careful of my meals and no coffee (because i thought i had a caffeine allergy) and it was gone in 1 month. Now 2 weeks ago it came back and this time its really bigger symptoms.
Why could that be? Also do you think it would evolve even though i have a good diet? And one day i wont be able to handle any kind of food and become diabetes? This is scary...

Also i've found a source which is talking about the complete correction of the condition. Check it out and please tell me what do you think...
Thank you so much for the time and answers!
|
Did you find this post helpful?
This post has been removed because it did not meet our Community Guidelines.