25 Signs of Hypoglycemia

Hi Connie! Just finished your book. Very informative. I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia about 30 years ago. I was told to eat 6 meals a day carb and protein together. Nothing else. Oh they gave me a small booklet that didn't really say much of anything. Later I would find myself taking antideppresants for years, never realizing it was the hypoglycemia. I never followed the diet, I didn't really understand and it was never explined to me. 3 years ago I weighed 283 lbs and started a low carb diet, after losing 140 lbs I decided I wanted off the antidepreeants and slowly weaned myself. I have felt fine ever since and I am still following a low carb diet. Now, after reading your book I know why iI could quit taking the pills and feel just fine. The depression was the only sympton. Just wanted to say "Thans"

Hypoglycaemia is frequently misdiagnosed as depression or chronic fatigue, or fibromyalgia as well as the other illnesses mentioned above. Unfortunately that's also true of thyroid problems too.

I'm the Queen of misdiagnosis. If I had a penny for everything I've been misdiagnosed with (including Hypoglycaemia)... now finally they have discovered what I have been saying; the problem is my lack of refreshing sleep.

Connie, I like the fact that you've given readers some specific information and checklists to help people. I'm looking forward to reading your book when it wings its way to New Zealand

This is a joke, surely? That checklist covers just about every sympton that can be present in any illness - all artfully vague too (e.g.allergies, depression, forgetfulness, muscle pains).

Yes, it's important that we all try and cut down on sugar. But this is just nonsense, another load of hype and spin to sell yet another diet book!

Look, let's KISS. ("keep it simple, stoopid"). If you want to lose weight you cut down on the amount of food you are eating, eat good wholesome food instead of junk and get off your ass and go for a walk.

I agree with Terri. What all of this really comes down to is yet another self-help book that tells you to eat clean, wholesome food and not eat processed foods or too much sugar. Yaaawn.

It's like silly love songs, the world can't get enough of them! And really, until peolple start paying attention, what's wrong with that?

I think what's wrong with it is the fact that someone is, yet again, trying to make a buck off of people who are unhappy or ill. Giving up sugar may cure some of the symptoms, but it doesn't cure the quote-unquote underlying disease.

And from the above comments, it sounds like a few people at least have tired of the same old silly, sugary sweet songs.

Not that I don't agree with sugar-restriction (as I do practice it myself), but giving up sugar hasn't cured my allergies, alleviated my depression, or made my insomnia disappear--nor has it made my laundry whiter and brighter and my morning commute shorter. It's not a cure all and it shouldn't be sold to intelligent adults as such.

People who like love songs are unhappy or ill??

Hi Connie please conatact me, you might be the answer to a lifetime of quesitons
KJ

Clever, J. Anything else to offer?

This is NOTHING more than a blatant attempt to sell your book lady.

Well, I see nothing wrong with an attempt to sell her book. Every author is trying to sell their book; if you are going to criticize it, criticize the content of the book, not the fact she wants to sell it.

As one who has suffered from hypoglycemia for years (since childhood)undiagnosed until I had a glucose tolerance test, I can affirm that what she says in this post is true. While my blood sugar is stable, some of my symptoms have not gone away (depression, lack of drive, forgetfulness). I am on meds for depression, and they are helping. Do not discount hypoglycemia. it is real, and it SUCKS!!!

I haven't read the book, but I have read Connie's posts. It sounds to me that she isn't saying that giving up sugar will cure what ails you. She's saying that *IF* you have hypoglycemia, then giving up sugar will clear up a host of symptoms that go along with hypoglycemia, symptoms which can also mask as other ailments. *IF* the symptoms are caused by other ailments than hypoglycemia, then, of course, giving up sugar won't cure those ailments.

Hypoglycemia is indeed a nasty problem. I haven't given up every speck of sugar from my diet, but I HAVE learned to use it in small quantities after I've eaten a real meal of protein, carbs and fat. If I eat too much sugar, or eat it between meals, then I get a lot of those symptoms listed above.

This isn't a diet aimed at everyone, but I would venture to say that eating a lot more veggies and a lot less sugar (or even eliminating sugar entirely) would make most people feel a lot better.

I'm actually interested in the book. More power to you, Connie.

The author is not advocating (in her posts) that you should go to a doctor for a hypoglycemia diagnosis and then buy her book to help you manage your properly diagnosed condition. She is saying that, if you have any of a number or symptoms, you could have hypoglycemia and you should follow her program.

Honestly, I'm not impressed with this series or with this author, who is not a nutritionist or a health-care professional, but a journalist who took a single course on nutrition. Like the other posters, I don't think she has anything new to say on the subject.

Giving up sugar is in your best interests regardless of what ailments you face--but you probably already knew that without having to buy this book.

If you are happy spending your hard earned cash on a book that is just going to point out the bleedin' obvious, then you have more money than sense.

We have, as a society, been told for YEARS and YEARS now to cut down on sugar, about all the bad things about sugar, all the effects it can have (try typing "sugar" etc into a search engine).....this is not new! Just old information rehashed.

I'm thinking of writing a diet book myself - on how you can lose weight by just eating less! WOW!Mind blowing information! If I pad it out, and give my "new" diet a snazzy name, it should sell by the cart load! (And some of you may well be my first buyers, by the look of things......

Reducing sugar intake is a good, common sense idea, but I think many readers/consumers are now wary of the "single source solution" approach to health--especially when advocated by someone who is NOT a health professional. While the urge to share one's success story is understandable, I am highly skeptical of those who are not doctors, nurses, dieticians, professional nutritionists, etc. telling us they have the "cure."

Our bodies and minds are complex and cutting out one element doesn't always solve other problems. Seems it would be wiser to go to your doctor first to be tested, get an official diagnosis for hypoglycemia, and then modfiy your diet with the help of a professional dietician or nutritionist. People go to the trouble of obtaining RD degrees and certification so they can help others get a handle ontheir health.

this is mega crap you ugly fools

Hi, I haven't exactly been diagnosed with having hypoglycemia. Yet, there are times that my sugar levels do fall way low and i become weak, dizzy, and even come close to passing out. If I get something into my system that is sugar I am fine and my sugar levels stay at a good level for the rest of the day. I have a very physical job which takes a lot out of me each day. Therefore, I have to snack in order to maintain energy. Since I do that I gain weight because my body is so used to my job. Doctors have warned me about my glycemic levels, saying they are very low and I need more protien in my diet. They often ask me if I am "tiny" but, I am not. I am 180 lbs. since my weight gain of 20 lbs. I have basically all of the systems above, but I don't want to talk to a doctor and have them look at me like I'm stupid.

I'm so glad I found out about Reactive Hypoglycemia.
When I'm off sugar or caffeine I'm a completely different person.

I have suffered for over 5 years with several diagnosis but no "cure". I am disabled due to suffering from thousands of anxiety/panic attacks, which I have now been told by doctors were hypoglycemic attacks. After years of therapy and meds that havne't worked, I have finally gone on the diet for about 2 weeks now, though still have alot of anxiety. It looks grim, but I hope to one day be back to "normal". Any advice on this would be appreciated.

I am hypoglycemic and I found your article helpful and will be purchasing the book. For the children here who have to post nasty comments: My father was unaware that he suffered from hypoglycemia. On a surprisingly warm day in early Spring 2 years ago, he decided to go for a motorcycle ride. He was hungry, but wanted to ride while the chance was available. He was to eat after the ride. About 20 minutes after he left home, his blood sugar crashed and he fainted, causing his motorcycle to lose control and crash him into a tree. He died instantly, and thankfully, without pain. But, if he had been aware of what his symptoms may represent, perhaps he'd be here today. Shortly after, I was diagnosed and am trying to locate everything on the subject that will help. I wish more material was available and easier to understand. I hope you people wouldn't make fun of my father for his disease as you make fun of the woman in this article. Thanks for the information. God Bless.

hi there

I am overweight and tried all diets, but my hunger could not be staved, I was rocking on the floor crying as I was so hungry, in the end I would give in and eat almost all day constantly,I also suffer from shakiness which is cured by eating something sweet. I searched the internet for reasons on being constantly hungry and realised i was definitly hypoglycemic and the dr had givin me antidepressents as he could not find a reason for my shaking episodes....glad to say i refused to believe him and never took them.

I have been 3 days on almost no carbs and i must admit i feel fantastic i may not be losing weight , but i havent felt this good in years..
thanks to you all.

gigi

Hey there!

I have been told several times that if one is hypoglycemic, another illness is probably lying underneath. I have been tested for plenty of illnesses and the tests have always come back negative. I have 110/80 blood pressure or less, a resting heart rate of around 60, am extremely active, and the overall picture of perfect health EXCEPT for being hypoglycemic.

I was normal weight until I hit 20 when my lifestyle decreased in activity and my teenage metabolism vanished. I gained 50 pounds in 6 months, held onto the weight for around a year, then decided it was time to lose that weight and bring the sexy back! However, after losing all the weight (not before or during), I began experiencing nearly half the symptoms you mentioned above. I used to be able to go for MUCH longer amounts of time without food, yet now, if I don't eat every 2-3 hours, I become lightheaded, disoriented, and shaky. If I don't eat for 5-6 hours, I feel as if I am about to faint (unless I ate a SUPER HUGE meal). I began to put two and two together and realized I was probably hypoglycemic. It has interfered (albeit in a minor way) with my quality of life and productivity at work. I have been able to maintain my weight loss for over a year now, but the hypoglycemia just plain sucks.

While my diet is reasonably low in refined carbs as well as somewhat low fat, I am now planning to cut out refined carbs entirely and hoping to see what happens then. I'm hoping this will be the solution to regulating my blood sugars! Thanks. :)

Connie is NOT selling her book as a diet book. If you were to read it, this would be very clear. It is written to bring your attention to the dangers of refined sugar and simple carbs. She does exactly that. If you follow her suggestions, you will find that losing weight is only a side benefit. The true benefit is feeling good and getting rid of the 'symptoms' she lists.

Dear Connie,

I read your article and although I'm not very surprised at all the symptoms- as I have read up on this before- I am a bit more relieved to hear about so many people experiencing this. I've ALWAYS been healthy. No colds/ flu/ allergies. Anything, nothing. But lately I've learned about Hypoglycemia- an annoying condition to say the least. I've never had a sweet tooth, so what exactly causes this?? And the most annoying of all is the itching/ allergies. I feel like I can scratch myself dead for about 20 minutes, and then it just didappears. What causes THAT and what can I do to get this under control as I have mentioned before, I really am not big on the sugars....

Keep in mind that sugars are not just "sugar", but most breads, pasta, rice, potatoes and other starchy or simple carbs. They rocket your sugar up and then drop it way down.

I am not diagnosed hypoglycemic, but have had some symptoms that might indicate is (fasting glucose test the doctor prescribed revealed nothing). The worst spells I've had were as such:

1) First time I had a "melt down", I was working at an outdoor food both next to a hot popcorn machine. They forgot to put me on break, and I started to feel weak and so nauseous that I kept having to leave the booth and lean over a rail because I thought I was going to loose my stomach (and I almost never "loose it", haven't in the last decade!). Finally, they sent me to the medic, and he said "go eat something, and if you still feel bad, come back". Despite how I felt, I ate and was fine after.

2) In college, I had two spells within a couple of weeks. Both were related to eating a heavy, unhealthy meal. Around two hours later, mild nausea, extreme chills, shakiness, extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Doctors did the fasting glucose test and just said, "you're fine. Eat small meals throughout the day".

3) I was working a live camera at a show a few years ago. That morning, we had to wake up a 6am and because we were time crunched, our boss didn't let us have breakfast. We had a couple hours of tech and a couple hours of the live show. I was standing at the camera and suddenly I started to have problems staying conscious. My legs were jelly, my eyes were closing and my head drooping, it was hard to focus my eyes on anything. I was shaking badly and the director kept calling me to ask what was going on. I just barely managed to hold the camera up for the remainder of the show. When I bent down to get down off the riser, I buckled over with stomach pain and just managed to walk myself backstage to lie down (at which point I promptly started crying). After lying down for a while, I was a bit more stable... we went for breakfast in short order and then to our hotel rooms to sleep. I was fine for the evening show.

4) Yesterday I fasted in the morning. I was feeling a bit depressed all morning for no reason. I went and puttered around a bit in a friend's garden (nearly fainting once, but I have low blood pressure and thought nothing of it... just made sure to drink a lot of water) and then came home, had a handful of mustard greens, a small piece of homemade bread and then (regrettably) 5 cookies. After resting for an hour, I went outside to work in my backyard garden. After about 15 minutes, I started having problems staying conscious. Everytime I went to stand up, I would feel light-headed and my vision would dim. It was so bad that I could hardly stand up without nearly passing out and had to concentrate on just getting enough air to stay conscious. I was also dropping things clumsily and forgetting where I put them. Finally, I went inside, nearly running into some furniture because my legs were jelly. I lay down and ate some fiber/protein. I still was tired after that, but not weak anymore.

It's not about dieting... I am not heavy and don't believe in "diets". And the symptoms above are vague --- they could be for several different disorders. But when you get some bad problems and you realize that there seems to be a pattern relating to what you did or didn't eat, eating for your blood sugar no longer becomes a panacea -- it's the difference between being able to go about your life, or having to lay down because you are too tired, fuzzy-headed and sick with random symptoms to do what you need to do. It is about being able to function... and not begin to lose coordination and pass out when you need to physically exert yourself (which helps lower blood sugar).

I am leary of the doctors at the moment, and the glucose tolerance test (which they tried to give my mom) seems too dangerous and unreliable. I have a harder time taking care of myself now that I am on my own (when your thinking becomes confused and cranky, you don't always feel like eating a snack or care to... plus you sometimes crave the junk food, thinking that maybe this time you won't pay the price for having a random slice of cake and some chips). You always have to be aware of what you are eating if you want to feel decent. I now have "rules" about grocery shopping: 90% of the time I don't buy chips, cookies, boxed rice or pasta dishes, refined flour crackers, cereal or pop-tarts, orange juice, grape juice, apple juice... probably some other things... anything that makes me feel "bad". I say 90% because obviously sometimes I think I can still have a "treat", but I usually end up feeling bad when I do and especially if I don't balance it with good food. If it's not in the house, I can't grab it without thinking.

Listen to your body, and try to keep at it, and you wil figure out what you are supposed to eat.