Hypoglycemia Forum - Specific diet for hypoglycemia ?

Conditions and Diseases > Hypoglycemia Forum > Specific diet for hypoglycemia ?

Q: Specific diet for hypoglycemia ?

asked by: clnewberry1 on December 19th, 2008

New User

I have been to many doctors over the past 4 years. I have been diagnosed with subclinical hyperthyroidism and then told it wasn't my thryoid afterall. I have all of the symtoms of hypoglycemia but I have had some tests and was told I don't have diabetes or hypoglycemia. I ask flat out do I have hypoglycemia and was told No. Another doctor looked at these same tests and said yes I do. I was tested for adrenal fatigue and cortisol was normal but extremely high DHEA. I have panic attacks, anxiety shakey etc.

I have a very vauge diet to follow - I have to exclude wheat, rye, milk, mushrooms, bakers and brewers yeast. I recently went to a Natropathic doctor and was told I was hypoglycemic and told to follow that diet. However I need help. I really do not know what to eat and what not to eat. I asked for books she said it would be too confusing, one says this and one says that. She is $90 and hour and I need more specifics.

I am really having a hard time. I want to get better and feel like maybe it is a blood sugar thing. Maybe my thyroid and my adrenals will heal if I keep my blood sugar stable.

What type of doctor treats hypoglycemia?
Where can I find a very specific diet - ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks that I can adjust for my specific restrictions. I called a local dietician and she said oh my son in law just was diagnosed and I really don't have any information except you need to learn what proteins are and carbs are. Well no kidding. I am not paying you $60 an hour because you don't seem to know.
What kinds of tests should I ask for?
How long does it take to heal? Is this a diet for life? Is this the end of eating birthday cake or chocolate?

Can anyone help me? Can you recommend books?

Crystal

Replies(5)

Stan

replied on December 22nd, 2008

Moderator

1. An endocrionologist is your best bet.

2. Here is the best diet! I know because I made it!
http://ehealthforum.com/health/topic119108 .html

3. Ask for the GTT if you haven't had it (glucose tolerance test) and a test for Hemoglobin A1-C.

4. Depending on how bad you've been eating and for how long, it should take at least 4 months to notice any significant improvement. Read through my diet thread to learn more about that.

5. The diet is pretty much for life, yes, unless you want diabetes or to go insane. You may be able to occasionally have chocolate and cake, but seriously, talking from experience, once you get far enough you really don't care anymore. My health is so good now and I know how bad I feel after even a little of that stuff that I could care less. It's just food, who cares? Show everyone how healthy you are, it's a rare thing now.

6. There is a book thread someone in this forum, but I can't find it at the moment. Hypoglycemia for Dummies is okay, but the best one is probably Hypoglycemia by Jeraldine Saunders. There are a few others, but each has their problem. Your best bet is just to ask me and people here.

clnewberry1

replied on December 23rd, 2008

New User

I see an endocronologist on a regular basis for the thryoid issues and she has never mentioned hypoglycemia to me.

I am not sure if these tests will make much sense but let me tell you what my labs are and see if I can get your opinion. I am not looking for a medical opinon but someone who is going through this and can talk to me in terms I can understand.

Fasting blood sugar 102

Organic acid test
Carbohydrade Metabolism = high - glucose oxidation (was told this was hypoglycemia and low stomach bacteria)

Hemoglobin A1C 5.8 Normal is 4.0-6.0
Glucose 82 Normal 65-99
Insulin 2.2 Normal 1.9-23.0

I had a glucose test when I was pregnant. I don't have the lab but I remember that is was normal but only one point from being gestational diabetes.

So I am not the experienced but does this look like low blood sugar - seems more like high to me. I am confused.

I was told by more than one doctor no diabetes and no hypoglycemia but by my natropathic doctor hypoglycemia.

Thanks,
Crystal

dynamedia

replied on December 27th, 2008

New User

Stan wrote:

2. Here is the best diet! I know because I made it!
http://ehealthforum.com/health/topic119108 .html

Whilst I don't doubt Stan's comments are well intentioned, I think it's worth pointing out that individual dietary requirements are very variable and what may work well for one person may prove to be terrible for another. Claiming that a diet is "the best" may be naive, and could potentially be dangerous.

As a starting point, I'd suggest cutting all processed and synthetically produced foods from the diet. This alone may be sufficient for some people. If this doesn't work, cutting caffiene and sugar intake would be the next sensible step. Trying to cut everything at once is likely to bring about an array of withdrawal symptoms which may explain why Stan's diet, by his own admission, will make you feel terrible in the short term. Sudden large changes in diet may also cause the body to react adversely, so a slower, more progressive approach is always wise - particularly in someone already suffering ill effects from their condition.

I'd also have to point out that hypoglycemia is a very diverse condition - in reality an array of different conditions. Stan's diet appears to be intended for people suffering from postprandial reactive hypoglycemia. Switching to a diet in this manner may be potentially dangerous for anyone suffering from "absolute" or fasting hypoglycaemia. I'd urge anyone in the latter category to seek medical opinion over anything to be found on an internet forum.

Dominic

Stan

replied on December 28th, 2008

Moderator

Did you actually read the whole thing? My diet, when it comes down to it, is nothing more than a basic, healthy, whole grain diet, that's it. There's nothing special about it that's remotely dangerous. And yes, of course, you should see a doctor, but fasting hypoglycemia is quite rare. Not only is it rare, but you know you have it immediately because it doesn't matter what you eat. That diet that you say is naive has helped A LOT of people on here, so don't bash it without first reading it thoroughly or asking someone on here who's tried it. But, like I said, there's not really anything special about it. It's essentially a slight reworking of The Maker's Diet. Dangerous? Please, as if eating HEALTHY was dangerous.

LJones69

replied on July 21st, 2009

New User

Potential Hypoglycemia

After reading this online thread I am thinking I might be Hypoglycemic - I am headed back into see my Endocinologist to get my lab results but called in and got the ahead of time just to see what they said - I am already seeing an Endocrinologist for other reasons but might now think I have Hypoglycemia. They did a GTT on me and my fasting blood sugar was 123. I then drank this drink and when they retested my blood sugar 2 hours later it was all the way down to 44. I am sure he will talk to me when I go back in to see him in a few weeks but was wondering what this means.

thanks,

Lee

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc