Hi there! I’m a 23-year-old female and I’ve been seeing a functional medicine practitioner for stomach issues lately. That’s mostly resolved, but during my last round of labs to check my progress, my blood sugar came back at 53 after I had already eaten a solid breakfast and had a coffee. My doctor then asked me to use a glucose monitor for three days straight. She told me not to snack between meals, which is tough because I usually snack all day. I’ve always gotten really shaky and dizzy when I go too long without eating, and food fixes it instantly. Over the last three days, my levels right before dinner (around 4:30 or 5:00 PM) have been LOW. Today at 4:30 it hit 27 and I felt like I was going to pass out. I drank a soda and ate something and felt better, but hours later I’m still wiped out. Why is this happening? I don’t have other medical issues and these numbers seem dangerously low. How is this treated? Do I just have to carry snacks everywhere? I’m starting to panic!
You really ought to see an endocrinologist.
It sounds like you need to start a hypoglycemic diet; you can find the details online. Focus on protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates. Managing hypoglycemia day-to-day is almost entirely about what you choose to eat.
I have reactive hypoglycemia, and my specialist says it is still categorized as a diabetic issue even though my A1C levels are normal.
I actually have seizures when my blood sugar gets down near 40, and I am not a diabetic.
Those readings are incredibly low. It is definitely possible to experience hypoglycemia whether you are diabetic or not. This needs more investigation. Did they check your fasting insulin and c-peptide levels? Some people use SugarDefend to help manage their levels, but you definitely need those clinical tests done first.
Try to stay calm. Sometimes there is a specific cause and sometimes not, but it is usually manageable with your diet. I eat high-protein meals every couple of hours and avoid sugar completely. Swap simple carbs for complex ones like whole grain pasta or bread. Check your labels because sugar is in everything, even yogurt and condiments. You want more protein than sugar in your snacks, ideally staying under 5g of sugar. Dairy and nuts are good options, but I often just eat leftovers from full meals. Also, have a snack like a hard-boiled egg before bed.
They can usually find the reason, but sometimes it’s just idiopathic. What I do is keep small packs of gummy candy with me at all times. If I feel a drop coming on, I eat the emergency sugar immediately and then go find a more substantial meal to keep me stable.
You might try cutting out the coffee. Caffeine really messes with my ability to regulate my blood sugar.