Reactive Hypoglycemia

I have reactive hyperglycemia, but I've never had it diagnosed by the GP. I just know i have it because I looked it up on the Internet. There isn't a cure for it. I buy glucose tablets and have one one i feel like my legs are a bit wobbly

Hi @jane52 I have reactive hypoglycaemia. This is long sorry but hopefully there might be something that's relevant or helpful for you. I've not spoke to my GP about it but I am pre-diabetic. However, it is important to try to determine the cause ie whether its non-diabetic hypoglycaemia or not.

Has your GP checked your bloods for hBa1C to see if you're diabetic or pre-diabetic?

I don't know how to link here sorry but if you Google 'Non diabetic hypoglycaemia, Fahad, 2023' that is an interesting article and might give you some pointers.

My RH is post-prandial and always occurs c 3hrs after eating and it comes on suddenly with shaking, weakness tachycardia, sweating and I have to get a sweet drink then a snack straight away. Unfortunately, I have to eat mostly white food because of other health problems which is most likely why I get the RH, so the more complex carbohydrates that would help, and high fibre I can't eat very often or enough.

I am also on beta blockers for my heart and that's a drug that can affect RH, so can other drugs like Lithium for example (often used for treating bi-polar).

If you Google 'South Tees Hospital Reactive Hypoglycaemia' and 'North Tees Hospital Reactive Hypoglycaemia' that links to very informative leaflets but mainly how to treat it and prevent it (self management).

I don't have a blood sugar monitor and don't particularly want to get one; when I was very unwell two years ago, paramedics checked my BM it was 2.8 which is very low and had to give me 3 Glucagel tubes to get it up to normal level.

Your post has reminded me I should look at those Links above to see where I can improve my management of it! I am slightly overweight too/BMI not great and too little exercise.

Does your GP practice have a diabetic nurse? Whether you see them, or your GP, a check of your blood pressure, height, weight, BMI (body mass index), and blood test for the hBa1c which measures your blood sugar level should be a good starting point.

I think when it's non-diabethc related it's then often from either fasting, post-prandial (after eating, usually 2-4 hrs after) or exercise related but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be checked. The Fahad article/research is a very useful read.

Finally I think most NHS guidelines on it relate to self-management (complex carbohydrates, high fibre, exercise, low dietary intake of meat/fats/dairy/alcohol) but I'd personally recommend you seeing your GP for checks, as above. Wishing you all the very best. PS I am a nurse, well, I was until I came off the register in March because of my ill health and not a specialist in diabetes. Diabetes UK website is very informative too. Take care 😊

Thanks so much for posting the links @chiarieds I don't know why I can't seem to do it !

Thank you very much @egister and for posting the video which I've watched. Very much appreciated! I can't remember the name now but I've just found a company in Kentucky, USA that have a free online book re training which I've saved on 'phone following getting your message.

Yes, 2.8 is dangerous; it turned out I had Covid (for the third time). I'm not diabetic but have to eat every c 3.5 to 4 hours. I have no loved ones to teach apart from my 4 daft dogs 🤣, they are 3 shih tzus and a Yorkshire Terrier, none particularly motivated but at 8 and 9 years old, I get it 😀. But still worth a try!

Thanks again, I have a needle phobia too but Jane's original post served as a timely reminder I need to manage my hypos more effectively (I have other heath conditions that precipitate it 🙄). But there's always more to do I'm sure. Take care and thanks again to you.

So sorry I wasn't trying to complicate things, I can just print it off on my printer. Thanks for your help though 👍