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Hypoglycemia: Overview
Hypoglycemia is a general term used to describe a mixed bag of symptoms that are due to a derangement of glucose metabolism. Under the strict medical definition, hypoglycemia mainly refers to a drop in fasting blood sugar below 50mg% (normal range 70-90mg%). This drop can be associated with differing symptoms depending on the rate at which the blood sugar falls.
This is a common condition of an abnormally low level of sugar in the blood. Sugar levels frequently change throughout the day and may be normal sometimes and abnormal at others.
Causes and Development
The causes of functional or reactive hypoglycemia (not absolute or fasting hypoglycemia) can be divided into 3 categories:- High sugar / refined carbohydrate diet leading to hyperinsulinism
- Hypoadrenalism-stress leading to adrenal exhaustion
- Alimentary or gastric surgery leading to rapid stomach emptying or "dumping syndrome."
Two factors can lead to sugar overload: An over-consumption of sugar and a problem with sugar metabolism. Over-consumption of sugar begins at an early age - just check out the sugar levels in the most popular children's cereals. You will find that many contain almost 50% of their calories as sugar. And sugar is addictive -- and difficult to combat because sugar is added to almost every packaged food sold today.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms include weakness, shakiness, excess hunger, anxiety, outbursts, faintness, headaches, passing out, delirium, coma, hallucinations, excess sweating, the appearance of intoxication, marked personality changes, irritability, negativism, mood swings, depression, crying spells, and a panorama of similar mental symptoms.
Diagnosis and Tests
A Glucose Tolerance Test (ideally lasting 5-6 hours) can confirm a diagnosis, but more alternative doctors are forgoing the inconvenience and shock to the system because symptoms alone are reliable enough. Central nervous system changes, adrenal hormone output and detoxification (what the body tries to do when it is not busy digesting food) also contribute to the overall symptom picture.
There are different interpretations given to different patterns seen on glucose tolerance testing. One such system describes three types of curves:
Type 1 (Neuroglycopenic)
This type results in a rapid rise in blood glucose within the first hour followed by a pronounced or precipitous drop in blood glucose in the second hour. Symptoms of this type of response are rapid mood swings, volatile personality, erratic behavior before and after eating. Possible cause of this response is gastric dumping, too large an insulin response (pancreatic problems) and glucose tolerance factor problems (liver problems).
Type 2 (Adrenergic Type)
After ingestion of glucose the blood sugar rises for the first three hours followed by a hypoglycemic rebound at 4 to 6 hours. Symptoms associated with this type of response are tiredness 2 hours after eating, allergic responses or food intolerances, and shakiness before meals. When blood sugar falls rapidly, the early symptoms are those brought on by a compensating secretion of adrenalin; these include sweating, weakness, hunger, racing pulse and an "inner trembling". This response can be due to adrenal cortical insufficiency or thyroid deficiency.
Type 3 (The Flat Curve Response)
In this case the blood glucose does not deviate more than +/- 15% from fasting level through the whole test. Symptoms that may appear are fatigue, apathy or hypotonia (poor muscle tone). These symptoms are due to poor digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Treatment and Prevention
The term "hypoglycemia" may be better named "carbohydrate intolerance syndrome" and treated accordingly.
Complications
Patients with hypoglycemia of varying causes appear to show similar personality patterns, suggesting hypoglycemia can cause personality disorders.
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Signs, symptoms & indicators of Hypoglycemia:
Conditions that suggest Hypoglycemia: | | | | | Allergy |  Indoor Allergies |
Hormones |
Low DHEA Level | Insulin levels may play a significant role in determining how much DHEA is metabolized. Studies have discovered that low levels of DHEA may be related to an excess of insulin. What this suggests is that anyone suffering from hypoglycemia or excess insulin may be prone to converting nutrients to fat due to depressed DHEA levels. |
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Mental |
 Dizziness | Dizziness and fainting spells are a possible symptoms of hypoglycemia, which may in turn be a reaction to insulin. |
Depression | Endogenous depression - depression originating from within as opposed to being due to external factors - is a known symptom. |
Anxiety
Poor Memory |
Metabolic |
Addictions / Addictive Tendencies | A craving for cigarettes and/or drugs is a possible symptom of hypoglycemia. |
Migraine/Tension Headaches
Tinnitus |
Musculo-Skeletal |
Restless Leg Syndrome | Based on afternoon glucose tolerance testing, many patients with RLS - particularly if they also have spontaneous leg cramps - appear to have hyperinsulinism causing functional ‘hypoglycemia’ during testing. In fact, some patients may have an attack of muscle cramps at the same time as their lowest level of plasma glucose. In an open trial, a group of 350 patients with this type of glucose tolerance curve were placed on a sugar-free, high protein diet along with frequent nibbling and at least one night feeding. The vast majority experienced a prompt remission or, at least, a striking reduction in symptoms. [J Med Assoc 60(5): pp.29-31, 1973] |
Muscle Cramps / Twitching | As hypoglycemia progresses a variety of symptoms can occur including muscle twitching. Amongst 300 patients in one study (185 female, 115 male) found to have relative hypoglycemia (a drop of 20% or more below the fasting blood sugar level during a 6-hour glucose tolerance test), 23% had muscular twitching or cramps. |
General Weakness |
Nervous System |
Tremors | Early symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as hand tremors, are similar to those which occur as the result of experiencing a sudden and violent fear. |
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Skin-Hair-Nails |
Excessive Sweating
Night Sweats | Nighttime hypoglycemia may be without symptoms or manifest itself as night sweats, unpleasant dreams or early morning headache. |
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Symptoms - Glandular |
 Hypoglycemia (confirmed) |
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Risk factors for Hypoglycemia: | | | | | Environment / Toxicity | Heavy Metal Toxicity | Heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead and thallium poison the glucose metabolizing catalysts, thus reducing the flow of energy throughout the body. It is interesting to note that the symptoms of heavy metal poisoning are similar to symptoms associated with hypoglycemia i.e. hyperactivity, mood swings, manic depressive behavior, poor concentration and impulsive and unpredictable behavior. |
Mercury Toxicity (Amalgam Illness) | Heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead and thallium poison the glucose metabolizing catalysts, thus reducing the flow of energy throughout the body. It is interesting to note that the symptoms of heavy metal poisoning are similar to symptoms associated with hypoglycemia i.e. hyperactivity, mood swings, manic depressive behavior, poor concentration and impulsive and unpredictable behavior. |
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Hormones |
Hypothyroidism | Patients suffering with Wilson's Syndrome, a form of hypothyroidism, occasionally experience intense and previously unfamiliar cravings for sweets. The low body temperature patterns may affect the function of enzymes involved in glucose metabolism that could result in lower blood sugar levels which might contribute to sweet cravings. |
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Symptoms - Food - Intake |
(High) refined sugar consumption |
Symptoms - Head - Ears |
History of tinnitus |
Uro-Genital |
Consequences of Vasectomy |
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Hypoglycemia can lead to:
Hypoglycemia could instead be:
Recommendations and treatments for Hypoglycemia: | | | | | Action |  Book Reading | For additional reading from a sufferer's perspective, you could read the book The Low Blood Sugar Handbook: You Don't Have to Suffer... by Edward A. Krimmel, Patricia T. Krimmel. It is not a dry technical book, but one that you should enjoy while helping you resolve the problem. |
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Botanical |
Stevia | If you must use sweeteners, stevia is an excellent natural alternative to simple sugars and unhealthy chemical alternatives. |
 Chlorella |
Diet |
 Sugars Avoidance / Reduction | Consuming foods that contain simple sugars makes the problem worse. Avoid sweets other than fresh fruits, if tolerated. In addition, consider avoiding products that only "taste" sweet (artificially sweetened - low calorie). Even though they may contain no sugar, sending signals to your brain that something "sweet" is being consumed may have negative consequences. |
Processed Foods Avoidance | Refined carbohydrates are more readily absorbed than unrefined, and should be avoided in those with any glucose intolerance. |
Smaller, More Frequent Meals | Frequent small meals are more effective in stabilizing blood sugar levels than large, less frequent ones. Remember to consume something before symptoms appear. Protein snacks that keep well should be stored in locations such that you always have quick access to food. You may find it helpful to store protein bars or nuts in your car, at work, in your pockets or (for women) in your purse. |
High/Increased Protein Diet | A diet consisting of higher protein and fat with less refined carbohydrates is a standard recommendation for those with hypoglycemia. |
Caffeine/Coffee Avoidance | Avoid all soft drinks, coffee, tea, artificial colors and additives. |
Alcohol Avoidance | Drinking alcohol can cause blood sugar to drop in some sensitive individuals. Hypoglycemia has been well documented in chronic alcoholics and binge drinkers. |
High/Increased Fiber Diet | Soluble fiber delays gastric emptying, slows glucose absorption, and minimizes blood glucose swings. |
Coconut
Therapeutic Fasting | In severe cases, additional methods of support besides diet may be needed and perhaps the best of these is fasting. Fasting is a useful, inexpensive and universally available treatment for hypoglycemia. The fast allows the entire system to restore its cellular integrity. |
Increased Fruit/Vegetable Consumption | Fruit contains several things that are of benefit, including a sugar (fructose) that does not cause wild glucose swings, trace minerals, and fiber which slows glucose absorption. |
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Habits |
Aerobic Exercise | Moderate exercise improves glucose metabolism. Those few individuals who find that strenuous or prolonged exercise causes hypoglycemia should take food at the earliest opportunity. |
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Lab Tests/Rule-Outs |
Glucose Tolerance Test | The six hour oral glucose tolerance test is normally used to determine the type and magnitude of the glucose intolerance. |
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Mineral |
Chromium |
Vitamins |
Vitamin Niacinamide |
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KEY | Weak or unproven link: may be a sign or symptom of; may suggest; may increase risk of; is very occasionally misdiagnosed as | | Strong or generally accepted link: is often a sign or symptom of; often suggests; often leads to | | Definite or direct link: strongly suggests |  | Strong counter-indication: often contraindicates | | May be useful: may help with | | Moderately useful: often helps with | | Very useful: is highly recommended for |
Last updated: Apr 08, 2012
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