Lyme and glycemia issues?

Hello there,

Since some days I've come across a new phenomenon that adds to the panoply of Lyme syndromes.

In the middle of the day, around 5-6:00 PM, I have kind of discomfort that strangely reminds me of a deficiency or lack of glycemia. It happens especially when I make physical "efforts" (after cleaning, after taking the dog out, after shopping, etc.).

The symptoms remind me strangely of those that accompany intense hunger, when you don't eat for a whole day.
Indescribable sensations in the head (like when you're hungry), reduced visual acuity, sudden intense fatigue and weakness. A slightly dizzy state, difficulty focusing, slight tremors... really on the verge of fainting.

I don't know if it could be something to do with low blood sugar or something like that?
Namely, I eat two meals a day, and I don't feel "hungry" when that happens.
Furthermore, I've never been diabetic, nor have I ever had problems with blood sugar levels in my blood tests. And I don't eat too much fast sugar, in fact it's quite rare.

Today I tried to eat a little chocolate when it happened, but it didn't help too much. I'm still in that state at the moment.
I also checked my blood pressure, but it was fine.

Does it happen to you too?
Is it worrying?

Just sounds like post-exertional malaise to me. That's what I always assumed this symptom was, since I have not experienced any blood sugar issues. But yes, it was a hallmark of my illness for years.

One cannot guess on blood Sugar levels. The exception would be an experienced diabetic, who knows what low blood glucose feels like after having tested for it.

If you’re in the USA, you can get a simple RelyOn brand, compact blood glucose test kit from Walmart for under $30 Complete with 20 test strips. another 25 test strips is only five dollars.

I’ve been prediabetic for a decade, which means I have slightly elevated blood glucose.

I’ve never had below normal blood glucose readings from the many tests I’ve done. That said I have experienced the exact symptoms that you were mentioning - With Enough glucose in my blood.

As stated in Garzies post, one can have these symptoms and not be suffering from low blood glucose.

Have you had your thyroid levels adequately checked not just TSH?

You mentioned that you took a blood pressure reading. Do you have your own at home?. Omron has had a compact one for many years that works great. It fits in its own little Plastic box that is about 5 x 4”.

Post Edited (astroman) : 3/30/2024 8:40:22 AM (GMT-8)

Hi everyone, thank you for your replies.

Yeah it is indeed just speculation, but it really looked like it. Next time I will see my doctor, I will ask to do blood tests maybe. Last ones were made one year ago.

I didn't experimented it so much since the last time I posted, during the Easter holidays we had family at home and were eating a lot all day, so maybe it helped in despite of being very tiring for me.

@emma blonde voyage: I work from home as a web developer, so I’m really out of sync. I can wake up from 10AM to 1PM, that depends how tired I'm. But I usually fall asleep around 2-3AM.
My meals time are around 1-2PM (small meal) then 8-9PM (larger meal), sometimes I also eat a little thing around 1AM.
It happened upon exertion yes, though it was just a small thing like vacuuming or walking the dog. And it never occurred before, or at least the kind of discomforts I have upon exertion were different.

I experienced it each day for 5 days and then, it suddenly stopped. Two days ago, we walked our puppy longer than we did until here and I didn't experienced it afterwards.
I was eating a bit more these days, maybe it helped.

I have another problem now, my girlfriend gave me her rhinopharyngitis... combined with all my other problems and Lyme, I'm in the sixth dimension. That's even harder than when I got Covid. Yesterday night I really thought I was going to pass. She was on cortisone and antibiotics but I can't take that.
But that's another topic.

As previously mentioned, you cannot guess sugar Levels, regardless of how you feel.

Go Purchase yourself a blood glucose finger, prick blood test kit. They are relatively cheap, Under $30 US dollars. A box of additional 25 test strips is sometimes only five dollars.

The only way to figure this out as process of elimination. Since blood glucose is important, it’s good to get this out-of-the-way first.

This could also easily be an Auto immune thyroid problem, With antibodies attacking your thyroid. you can have sudden actual attacks 5 to 30 minutes at a time. This will require all three auto immune, thyroid antibody blood tests.

astroman said...
As previously mentioned, you cannot guess sugar Levels, regardless of how you feel.

Go Purchase yourself a blood glucose finger, prick blood test kit. They are relatively cheap, Under $30 US dollars. A box of additional 25 test strips is sometimes only five dollars.

The only way to figure this out as process of elimination. Since blood glucose is important, it’s good to get this out-of-the-way first.

This could also easily be an Auto immune thyroid problem, With antibodies attacking your thyroid. you can have sudden actual attacks 5 to 30 minutes at a time. This will require all three auto immune, thyroid antibody blood tests.

That's a lot of things, but I may give a shot.
I will try to see my doctor next week, couldn't get an appointment yet. Maybe I should have some blood tests again.
Thank you both for your replies.

I just bought 50 more glucose test strips for nine dollars at Walmart.
What a bargain.

US FDA Glucose meter requirements are that They test within 15% accuracy.

I test myself in my vehicle before I go to Morning doctor appointment so then I can figure out the accuracy Percentage that my test meter is, (Assuming that the lab the clinic uses is 100% accurate).

My specific meter reads 8% high. So I just subtract 8% from My home meter results.

I am also pretty specific in glucose Testing myself after supplement or dietary change.

Anyone treating for tick illness, needs to at least have a baseline of thyroid levels, preferably a full thyroid panel.

In the US is covered by all insurance companies

As Garzie mentioned, if you can’t Afford a full thyroid panel because you’re paying your own way or you have a deductible insurance, at least just TSH is roughly 75% accurate.

If you have a high deductible, you can also usually get a bargain by purchasing a thyroid panel online and go to a quest or LabCorp nearby Blood draw facility. I’m sure there are others as well.