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mordster

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Joined: 08 Jan 2007
Posts: 6

Interpreting Blood Test Results For Hypoglycaemia Posted: 01-08-07 03:11am


I hope someone can help. I had a gtt [2 hours test with 75 g glucose load] done and it showed the following results : time : [on arrival - fasting] plasma glucose = 4.4 mmol/l 1 hour = 5.7 mmol/l 2 hours = 1.7 mmol/l does anyone know how to read these results eg. Is it reactive hypo or fasting hypo etc. what other tests should I have done eg adrenal glands etc? The doctor said I had reactive hypoglycaemia and that I should have sugar when I feel low in sugar!! I asked about the very low 1.7 mmol/l reading and he wasn't too fussed about it ...Just said that I need to try to eat more regularly. I have been getting symptoms like dizzyness, tingles in my arms, hands, shakes and feeling like i'm going to pass out. I have also have extreme anxiety which lead to panic attacks and have trouble getting to sleep. I have tried eating every couple of hours - eating low gi foods but have been feeling worse. Am always tired. I am on chromium formula & primrose/fish oil tabs from my naturopath. the odd thing is that when I did the test, I felt quite ok after the 2 hours [when the reading was quite low] - how can this be ? I am a 40 year old female and want to eat around 1200 calories a day. I will try to modify stan's diet to this. how much protein, carbs and fat should I have in a day? I hope someone can help with my questions as I feel quite afraid of this new condition and just need some reassurance that it can be better.

Stan

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Posted: 01-08-07 10:09am


It can be better, but your doctor is wrong, eating sugar is not the answer. Looks like a pretty serious case of reactive to me, perhaps as serious as mine. My diet is posted on the forum somewhere here, read it to get an idea of what you need to avoid, or how you can get the best results as quickly as possible, that sounds a little better than saying avoid alllllllllllll!!!!!!!!! you should be eating about every two hours. Oh, wait, I see you read my diet. Okay, the recommendations do not need to be followed exactly, but you will get fast results if you do what I say. One thing is you can expect to feel worse for awhile when you get your diet proper, might take up to a month to notice any changes in your symptoms. Here's why you felt good. The sugar reads as a drop, but your body hasn't felt it yet. I had the same reaction when I took my test. My sugar was dropping rapidily every hour but yet I felt good. The reason is that you consumed so much sugar your body has enough to keep the level stable while it's dropping, kind of like there's a bunch left to drop still going into your blood if that makes sense. My diet is very high fat, but if you're female you may want to cut down what I say to eat to half or even a fourth of the recommendation. My diet is tailored mainly for guys who work out a lot. Your protein should probably start around 80g per day and your carbs around 60g-100g, but no more no less unless you feel like you need to. Unfortunately, this aspect is a waiting game. It's best to start out around 80-100 and see how you feel after a few weeks, and then adjust, instead of starting low and building up bit by bit, because that can take forever. Might want to look into a good vitamin too, but not one you'll find at the supermarket, you need one from a health store.

mordster

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Joined: 08 Jan 2007
Posts: 6

Posted: 01-08-07 16:26pm


Thanks stan hope you can answer a couple more questions for me: 1.]i read about glygerin ... That taking this will prevent the anxiety/panic attacks and help for better sleep. What do you know about this? Where can I get it and is it safe to use daily? 2.] also, is it a good idea to have iso/whey in the mornings.... It's a protein powder with 15 g of protein per serve ..No sugar and a whole heap of amino acids, vitamins/minerals including chromium etc. My naturopath recommended this for me to have in the mornings as part of a low carb, high protein diet. 3.] I have printed out you diet but am having trouble reading it ... Eg. I can't follow the parts where you talk in fractions [1/8, 1/3, 1/4 etc] and so I don't quite know how many nuts, how much protein etc. Is it possible to simplify it for those of us who need a simple to follow diet .Eg day 1 and the exact amount of what to eat ... Day 2 etc. [at the moment you specify for each day but you keep referring to the previous meal or day and it gets confusing] 4.] what can I do if I am unable to fit one of the daily meals in eg. If i'm out of the office and don't have the oil, protein etc. With me. Would it be best to just have a handful of almonds or something like that ?

Stan

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Posted: 01-08-07 17:17pm


1. I don't know anything about this. Reading around it seems to be safe, but exercise caution if you decide to use it. 2. Any protein is fine, but I must say I have yet to find any protein powder suitable for a hypoglycemic. All of them have bad additives, artificial sweeteners or just too much crap in general. Whey causes problem for most of us and soy protein is generally crap because it has a high level of phytic acid. 3. I'm not sure why you don't understand the serving sizes I provide. If I say 1/4 a cup, that's all it is. Which parts are you referring to? Post them here so I can comment. 4. You should try making it a habit of carrying your food around with you somewhere, or at least make healthy choices if you choose to eat somewhere. Make sure if you get protein, it has nothing on it and get plain, steamed vegetables or a salad with no dressing other than your oil and apple cider vinegar, which you can easily bring around (check for my awesome salad dressing recipe on this forum if you like). But, you should be at least carrying nuts around in a bag in your pocket or purse or something

mordster

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Joined: 08 Jan 2007
Posts: 6

Posted: 01-09-07 08:34am


Thanks stan 1.] do you have a rough estimate/statistical data of the number of hypoglycaemics who end up with diabetes? 2.] the protein powder is on : www.Iso-whey.Com.Au/nutrit ion.Htm can you have a look and let me know what you think thanks a lot

Stan

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Posted: 01-09-07 10:02am


1. No idea, I know of one through a friend with hypoglycemia that got diabetes eventually. I'm sure it's probably about 1/6 of the diabetic population maybe, or less. Hard to know that. 2. Don't take it. Look at the ingredients, I was thinking it didn't seem too bad until I got to the worst thing in the universe. stevia. Do not, absolutely do not take anything with this in it ever. It has a significant blood sugar lowering effect and you will feel awful within about five minutes of ingesting it.

mordster

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Joined: 08 Jan 2007
Posts: 6

Posted: 01-09-07 17:28pm


2. Don't take it. Look at the ingredients, I was thinking it didn't seem too bad until I got to the worst thing in the universe. stevia. Do not, absolutely do not take anything with this in it ever. It has a significant blood sugar lowering effect and you will feel awful within about five minutes of ingesting it.[/quote] hi stan 1.] sorry, the new protein powder product I am taking doesn't have stevia [this was in the old product , but is still on that website ] the product actually contains xylitol which is a natural sweetener. You can read about it on : www.Xlear.Com.Au/g/176/abo ut-xylitol.Html can you have a quick look and let me know what you think. It is a substance that our bodies already produce and doesn't immediately enter the bloodstream like sugar so aids in keeping insulin levels steadier. 2.] stan do you know anything about insulin levels ie. When/how quickly levels go up and then come down. What is the best way to get insulin levels tested [ie. On fasting, after food etc.] or aren't these levels important ...Just blood sugar levels??

Stan

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Posted: 01-09-07 19:17pm


As far as I know, xylitol should have no serious impact on your body. Some health enthusiasts claim that sugar alcohols are bad in general, but i've never read why and can say i've had no problems with xylitol myself. Since my case is pretty much as severe as it comes, I think that should be okay. For insulin levels, they're too high for us, so they go way up. The thing is, you could get tested for that, but all you're going to show is you have too much insulin, you're not going to learn anything else really. Blood sugar levels are more important for our concerns, the direct reaction from insulin levels. I assume the best way to test is when fasting and after eating to get good readings. Someone on here once, who disappeared after not listening to recommendations, went crazy thinking she had everything under the sun. She was in the hospital for like four days in a row fasting most of the time, and when she ate all the tests revealed is that her insulin levels were abnormally high, but that's it.

mordster

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Joined: 08 Jan 2007
Posts: 6

Posted: 01-10-07 00:27am


Yes I see what you mean about tests that will just show high insulin levels. This could be due to insulinoma ?? Although I heard that insulinoma is extremely rare.

Stan

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Posted: 01-10-07 10:06am


No, if you had that the feelings would be constant. With insulinoma you can eat anything and it doesn't matter.

mordster

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Joined: 08 Jan 2007
Posts: 6

Posted: 01-11-07 01:05am

stan stepanic wrote:

no, if you had that the feelings would be constant. With insulinoma you can eat anything and it doesn't matter.

yes stan and I found on the net the gtt results showing insulinoma based on a 2 hour test and 75 g glucose : 3.3 [on fasting] 5.5 [1 hour] 3.3 [2 hours].

I also found the 'normal' range for gtt :
4.4-6.6 [fasting]
5.8 - 8.8 [1 hour]
5 - 7.2 [2 hours].

So if this is the normal range then my results of 4.4[fasting] is normal as is the 5.7 [1 hour] ... It's just the 1.7 [2 hours] which is the big drop which shows reative hypo.

*do you have any other info on 'normal' ranges for gtt?

*i have been getting daily headaches since I have cut the sugar and trying to adhere to the diet. Is this normal and how long will this go on for? The headaches are quite severe and so I have had to take painkillers daily but don't want this to become a daily ritual becasue then i'll be dependant on the painkillers ... A vicious cycle!!

Stan

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Joined: 01 Jan 2006
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Posted: 01-11-07 09:41am


1. I have no other information on normal ranges other than what I have in my books which is probably the same thing I think. 2. Expect some changes when you're working on the diet. Be happy you're only getting headaches and not seriously rapid mood swings and delusions like some people. I would look into herbal methods for alleviating them, though, they've just found that pain relievers suppress immune function and actually aren't very good for you at all.