Can you get low blood sugar without being diabetic?

[SureFootedWhispher]

Had loads of blood tests done recently for exhaustion and still waiting on a referral. No diabieties. Since I last saw the GP I have been getting dizzy , weak , shakey , lightheaded and hunger pangs but really intense as if I might pass out and I have to seek out food. Just had one and still waiting to feel normal. I ate about 20 mins ago and don't feel as bad as I did though.

[LEMmingaround]

Google hypoglycaemia. You don't get low blood sugar with diabetes (unless you are on insulin). Its actually high blood sugar in diabetes.

What did you eat?

[SureFootedWhispher]

It started at work. Only had grapes, then pasta when I got home . Really have no idea what is best. Also went very cold. Thought I might had to pull over in the car I went so shakey.

[clearsommespace]

Yes. DF suffers from this and carries glucose tablets when out and about in case. Gets faint and sweats profusely.

[GalaxyInMyPants]

I have had a low blood sugar when I randomly tested it at work once it was 1.8 which is really low. I've done it quite a few times since and its been normal.

However I often feel like you describe. All my bloods have come back as normal. They've tested blood sugar, iron, ferritin, folate, thyroid. Only thing i can think of I haven't been tested for is Vit d.

My mate reckons my symptoms might be down to depression. But I'm not sure i feel depressed. I just feel ill.

[SureFootedWhispher]

Galaxy, I had all those tests and vit D and were normal. They are looking at Cfs, and I'm waiting to see a gastro person for IBS. But those symptoms I don't think are cfs related.

DH went and got me some glucose tablets but I still feelweak and odd.

[SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed]

"Google hypoglycaemia. You don't get low blood sugar with diabetes (unless you are on insulin). Its actually high blood sugar in diabetes. "

Yes ^ I suffer from hypoglycaemia due to a dodgy metabolism and have to eat regular small meals. In more severe cases there is treatment, tablets I think. Go back to your GP!

[GalaxyInMyPants]

My brother has cfs.

[temporaryusername]

I have hypoglycaemia I think - happens to me almost daily to some degree. I don't get hunger pangs, it can come on without much preceding hunger. Sometimes it has been so bad I have had to lie flat in the street to be honest, till someone can get me something to get my blood sugar up. Symptoms weakness, shaking, feeling faint and dizzy, sweating and horrible nausea. It is so annoying!!

[Dinnaeknowshitfromclay]

I am not diabetic but get hypos. Feel sweaty, irrational and weepy and then start to shake. If I eat a lot of glucose I get a spike and then a hideous low. I too have to eat small regular meals. Diabetics get an uncontrolled high because they don't have insulin to keep the levels in check, not the other way around. It's horrendous. I carry sweeties. I luss sweeties!

[SureFootedWhispher]

I wont end up in a coma will I?

Worried about going back to the GP before I have had the gastro visit. Been waiting two months though.

Galaxy, have you been assessed? My aunt had it and was in a wheeled chair so I hope I don't have it.

[hillyhilly]

I have always been like this and so has my DH who is now type 2.
We never skip meals and always carry some sort of snack when travelling.
I now have eggs for breakfast religiously as any other breakfast cannot see me through to lunch and I ensure that I have plenty of protein for lunch too eg a whole chicken breast and salad rather than sandwiches.
TBH it has never occurred to me to see a doctor about it, I remember my mum making sugar sandwiches so maybe she was like it too (or maybe that was just a crap 70's diet!)

[LadySybilLikesCake]

I used to get this when I skipped breakfast and had a late lunch (used to work in a hospital and wouldn't usually get a break before towards the end of the shift). A student nurse was pratting about with the blood sugar monitor and I let her test it on me, mine was 3.0. I managed to get a break after that.

[SureFootedWhispher]

Still have hunger pains and feel light headed and I ate an hour ago.

[Midori1999]

Regular hypoglycaemia in people not on medication for diabetes is pretty rare from what I gather. I saw my GP about it months ago as I has had insulin controlled gestational diabetes in pregnancy and recognised the symptoms of hypos. She fobbed me off, saying it was down to dieting and breastfeeding... A few weeks ago I ended up in hospital after becoming unconscious following a hypo. My blood glucose was 1.2 when the paramedics arrived.

It turns out I have a rare illness called insulin antibody syndrome and I'm now awaiting treatment, although as there are less than 300 cases of it worldwide, they aren't even sure the treatment will work. It's pretty serious as I get between 3 and 7 severe hypos a day and my body is still making insulin available during the hypos, so it can be difficult to get my blood glucose back up.

There are some other causes of hypos. Low blood pressure on standing is one and Addison's disease is another. It can Also be caused by a pancreatic tumour (benign) tumour, but this is pretty rare.