Hypoglycemia symptoms with normal glucose test?

I have been having some pretty unusual medical symptoms for the last several years which I don't believe are diabetic in nature but something that I am experiencing can't be described any better than the feeling of hypoglycemic symptoms however I always have normal blood glucose levels whenever I check. I get this weak, jittery feeling and almost feel like I begin sweating, and feel the need to eat something with sugar in it. I am getting this feeling pretty well every day and it usually begins as the day progresses. I remember getting this feeling here and there when I was a kid. Does this sound like hypoglycemia symptoms and can a person suffer these symptoms but have normal blood glucose?

Just looking for some more info on this.

Thanks,

Jeff

Hi Lanie, thanks for your reply. When I take my own blood sugar during these episodes it can range anywhere from 3.5 to 6, it all depends. When I get my glucose checked with blood work it is usually in the 5's after fasting.

I'm taking lots of herbal supplements now to combat other symptoms but I have experienced this feeling prior to taking those. In the past I have experience anxiety and panic attacks but this isn't that. I've been anxiety free for quite some time now and anxiety is a feeling I know too much about from the past. I have normal heart function, and blood pressure if more times than not on the lower end of the scale.

Thats a good idea about keeping a diet journal... I will have to do that.

thanks again.

I purchased the blood sugar test kit because I was having these episodes and I was curious to what mine was during these episodes. I also started developing eye floaters and weird feelings in my legs which sounds like neuropathy.

I usually just eat cereal in the morning and then don't eat again until noon or 1pm and that meal can consist of rice or pasta for example. Then I eat diner around 6pm meat, potato/rice and vegetable usually. Then a snack after dinner of usually chips and a soda. Since I've been having these episodes i've been focusing on eating more frequent and better meals/snacks. I'm starting to introduce protein into every meal as well.

In checking into hypoglycemia with normal glucose I cane across something that talked about insulin resistance. Do you know what this is?


Thanks again for your help.

It does sound like you are getting periodic hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and yes you can feel this while having "normal" blood sugar.

There are a few possibilities to account for this. First what is optimal for you if a bit different than what the charts say. While the charts may say anything under 3.6 or 4 is considered low, for you it may be anything under 4.3 for example. The other possibility is that you are feeling the effects of the crash before they are able to be detected by the meter. It could be like punching a hole in your gas tank and then taking a photo of your gas gauge. The photo is showing you have enough gas but your engine is starting to sputter from lack of fuel. It could just as easily be a combination of both.

Quite frankly people who have bouts of hypoglycemia are usually effected by the same kinds of foods that people with diabetes are. Highly refined breads and pastas, simple sugars, etc. Instead of raising your blood sugar and leaving it high as it does in diabetics what happens is that when you overload on the carbs (sugars) your system is thrown into overdrive and produces too much insulin in order to use up those sugars and that causes the crash.

Try striving for a better diet. Watch the regular sodas and other drinks high in sugar. Get rid of the chips for snacks and replace it with some fresh fruit or veggies, nuts, peanut butter of whole grain bread/toast, etc. Swap out the regular potatoes for sweet potatoes and if you eat pasta, rice, breads, etc go with the whole grain variety. These types of foods have complex carbs which take longer to digest and will reduce the spikes in your BGL and help keep your blood sugar on a more even keel.

The final thing you should do is really research those supplements you are taking. Some herbs can effect blood glucose in some people. If things continue or get worse it would be a good idea to contact your doctor. There are other things that could be causing your symptoms such as heart, blood pressure issues, hormonal imbalances, etc.

Welcome to HealingWell, Annie. Can you please start a new post and introduce yourself and explain the problems you are having? This thread is three years old and the original poster has not been back.