Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Charliegirl@]

Hi all, yet another question. I have periods of low blood sugar, where I feel naseous, shaky, anxiety, ravenous hunger and feel like I am fading away. It can get pretty bad if I get stuck somewhere. This used to happen before a period, many years ago. I am 66 now. I am thinking its due to a drop in estrogen levels? Could this be right anyone?
Charliegirl.xx

[Beaker]

Hi Charliegirl, hormones can definitely have an impact on blood glucose levels as most women with Type 1 diabetes will testify.  Your low blood sugars could occur for a number of different reasons that are too complex and individual to explore on a forum.  One example is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).  However, I'm afraid I'm going to add in the usual caveat - you really should discuss your symptoms with your GP. Hope this helps   

[Hurdity]

Hi Charliegirl@

You've posted about this before - a year ago and I replied so rather than say the same thing again I'll refer back to the thread as you might have forgotten in the intervening time  . Here it is: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,39297.msg622230.html#msg622230 . I also referred in that thread to another post I did about my own problems with low blood sugar on a thread by GypsyRoseLee - so do have a read of those too.

I presume at some point you saw the doc about this to get a blood sugar monitor and rule out other problems?

I still do suffer with this if I don't have a big breakfast and especially if I take a lot of exercise ( eg go to a class) in the morning. Sometimes at other times. People who don't get it have no idea what it feels like - some people talk about feeling a bit light-headed etc but this "reactive hypoglycaemia" is something else isn't it?! The sweat actually pours from my face and I shake enormously! I think some people are prone to it. Not sure why - have never got to the bottom of what mine could be - at least my blood sugar and fasting BS is always normal. Also I do wonder about the hormonal connection although it happens also when I'm on the oestrogen only phase of my HRT - it used to be just in the 2nd part of my natural menstrual cycle when progesterone surges and then falls.

From what I've read, if I recall, blood sugar increases with progesterone levels and rapid changes in levels can precipitate changes in insulin sensitivity which can lag behind in adjusting to the hormonal changes? Hope I've got that vaguely right - the gist maybe?

Looking back at your profile you are on HRT - oestrogen only due to hysterectomy - so not sure how this would come into play if your hormone levels are stable?

Have you had your thyroid checked. I also read a paper linking hypoglycaemia symptoms to hypothyroid conditions but not sure whether that was actual hypothyroidism or including sub-optimal even if within "normal" range?

I think I'm waffling again but endocrine function and blood sugar metabolism are very complex and the latter seems to be destabilised by hormonal variation....

Aside from what's causing it, you must manage your food intake to include slow release foods and minimal sugar/refined carbs, and sugary drinks including juice, and increase fruit and veg + low fat protein and fewer carbs - or at least whole-grain ones. I carry a muesli bar around with me everywhere in case I get caught out unexpectedly as I can't function if it happens to me until I've eaten something. I try not to have too much sugar when it happens as that is a vicious circle which can further exacerbate insulin resistance. Nuts are ideal ( but they're fattening!) as is an apple!

What is your typical daily diet?

Hurdity x

[Charliegirl@]

Hi Hurdity, thanks for the detailed reply. I forgot to mention that I was taken off estrogen last year due to high blood pressure. I am trying to stabilise this to get back on it!
I am also trying to reduce sugar, and eat more carbs, easier said than done, will take advice about carrying something if I get caught tho.
Thanks again Hurdity,xx

[Hurdity]

No probs -  do you mean more protein? You should be reducing sugar AND carbs and replacing with what I suggested to hlep with blood sugar. Any carbs you have should be slow release but try not to have pure carbs at every meal if you can avoid it, but don't go hungry! I rarely eat biscuits or cakes or sweets or puds but limit these to tiny pieces or portions as a treat (love choc though -but anything above 80 % - the higher cocoa choc will have less sugar!). GOOD LUCK!!!

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

Do have a look at the National Association for Pre-menstrual Syndrome who advised me to eat every 3 hours 24/7!  It worked once I remembered to eat and have biscuits beside the bed for the early hours.

The body requires sugar and salt 

[Saffy]

I've heard you say this many times CLKD but it simply isn't true for sugar or carbs in general (though salt definitely is). Our bodies do require glucose but they are capable of manufacturing all we need from protein (and to a certain extent fat) in our diet.

This is an accessible article on the subject: https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/mike-sheridan/carbohydrates-and-energy_b_6823546.html. The relevant reference is: "The lower limit of dietary carbohydrate compatible with life apparently is zero, provided that adequate amounts of protein and fat are consumed." IOM (2002).