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[Shelster]

Hi ladies. I’m new here and looking for other people’s experiences with blood sugar and HRT.

I’m 45 and have been really struggling with symptoms of low blood sugar for the past two years (not diagnosed, was dismissed by my GP as anxiety, I just know it goes away when I eat!). I’m waiting for the Mirena coil to be fitted before I can start my oestrogen prescription but I’m wondering if any of you on here with similar symptoms felt an improvement when they started HRT. I know there are a few of you on here looking at previous posts! Thanks so much.

[CLKD]

My blood sugar would drop 10-14 days prior to a period.  The National Association for Pre-menstrual Syndrome advised that I eat every 3 hours, 24/7.  Even in the night.  So when I put the puppy out to pee at 3.00 a.m. there was a biscuit for me as I got into bed: it wasn't long B4 she realised ........... 

Slow release foods are important: porridge    , bananas, dried fruits and nuts as snacks.  I have stopped shop bought cakes etc. recently to stop that awful bloating I was getting. 

Do you cook?  DH batch cooks for the freezer so that we don't grab rubbish when hungry ;-).

Hormone Replacement Therapy does what is suggests.  Nothing to do with diet.

[Shelster]

Thank you. Yes, I do this already (other than the 24/7 thing!!). That might take some work! x

[CLKD]

24/7, 7/52 ........... etc..   It took me a while.  But after a few false starts when I felt quite ill, I got into the habit of eating B4 my body got hungry ;-)

[Perinowpost]

Personally I think it does help x

[CLKD]

It saved my Life at the time.  I would stop eating due to nausea when in fact my body required little and often.  As a side effect, I found several small bananas each day cured my restless legs syndrome.

[Hurdity]

Hi Shelster

 

The most important way to stabilise blood sugar as CLKD says is to eat slow release foods. Maybe run us through your typical day and what you eat? Many women seem to find problems with blood sugar regulation on becoming peri-menopausal. I certainly did and still do have problems and I take HRT (have done for 13 years). You do not need to eat through the night. Blood sugar is highest in the early hours, but maybe eat something light before you go to bed. I often have a small bowl of natural yogurt last thing as I get very hungry late eve and first thing in the morning for some reason!

Cut out added sugar as much as you can as well as refined carbs white flour pastries bread etc and go for whole grains alternatives but also cut down on the amount of carbs you eat (if you eat a lot of these) and replace with low fat protein which fills you up for longer. Also cut down on juice and sugary drinks if you eat lots of these, for example too.

HRT hasn't made a difference in that sense to me although I think the hormonal fluctuations make blood sugar fluctuations more noticeable in some women.

I presume you have had blood sugar tests as well to see what is actually hapening? If you're like me then it's called non-diabetic hypoglycaemia or reactive hypoglycaemia and doesn't need to be diagnosed by a doc except in the first instance to rule out diabetes. To al intents and purposes the symptoms are excatly like proper hypo ie intesne hunger, sweating and trembling, weakness so you have to eat glucose/sugar quickly to feel OK again which takes a few minutes. This is not good in the long term (eating sugar) so that's why you need to later your diet, how much and what you eat and recognise the signs. I have a pretty big breakfast as my weak point is mornings and if I do an exercise class ( not done since lockdown!) without a big breakfast it will happen while I'm in the class!

Hurdity x

[Shelster]

Thanks Perinowpost, it’s good to know it’s helping you!

Hurdity, I do avoid processed sugars and never have fizzy drinks. I’ve tried low carb and it makes me worse. I really hit a low point when the doctor put me on antidepressants. This was when it really started for me. Now I’m off them but it hasn’t improved.  This is what I ate yesterday to give you an idea:

8am porridge with a small amount or raw honey and almond butter
10am four oatcakes with almond butter
12pm bean salad, tuna, avocado
2pm an apple with cottage cheese and a few nuts
4pm a banana
5:30pm brown rice, green veg, tofu
7pm strawberries
8:30pm small bowl of porridge as at breakfast

I eat when I feel the my blood sugar start to drop which seems to be every couple of hours. I’m putting loads of weight on despite always having been a steady 10 stone in the past!

Thanks so much for your tips/ support!

Doc checked thyroid and blood sugar and both in the normal range
Iron levels on the low side so I’ve started supplementing.

[Shelster]

Also worth saying I’m veggie and can’t bear the idea of starting to eat meat again!

[Sparrow]

Looking at your menu, which look pretty health, I would say it's a little low on protein.  I know this can be a problem if you are a vegetarian but maybe try making your porridge with milk and adding whole Greek yoghurt into the mix.

[Kathleen]

Hello Shelster and welcome to the forum.

You say you have not been formally diagnosed so is it worth investing in a  monitoring device used by Type 2 diabetics? That way you would be certain that blood sugar control is your problem  and be able to track your levels accurately. Sorry if for some reason this is a silly idea lol.

To increase your protein intake perhaps you could add vegetarian protein powder to your porridge or yoghurts or perhaps start making  smoothies with added protein powder?

I am no expert but I agree with Shadyglade that your diet looks very healthy to me. Infact it's pretty similar to mine and I eat whole foods , plant based. I do however include complex carbohydrates at every meal including my salads. Having said that I often feel a bit  sweaty and anxious etc  but without the intense hunger. I am not on HRT and I assume that my wobbles are hormonal and meno related.

Wishing you well and take care.

K.

[Shelster]

Thanks Shadyglade and Kathleen!

Yes, I have some protein powder at the back of the cupboard. I’ll get it out!

I don’t think it’s a silly idea about investing in a blood glucose monitor. I’ve thought about it before but didn’t know if I was going overboard! I’ll have a look now xx

[Sparrow]

Just a thought but have you had your B12 levels checked.

Non meat eaters often need to suppliment and you could be confusing symptoms with low blood sugar.

[Shelster]

Ooo, thanks Shadyglade, no I haven’t. I’ll look into it x

[CLKD]

4 me a sudden drop in blood sugar causes me to feel very sick, my thighs followed by calves go weak and I feel light headed.  Because my body is hungry.  DO NOT WAIT until your body gives those symptoms, eating every 3 hours, 24/7 is what NAPS recommended.  Because when 1 stands up to go to the bathroom in the early hours the body uses up energy ....... so a biscuit by the bed is important in the initial 6 months of getting into the habit of eating regularly.

Listen to your body.  A friend was veggie from age 21 until her mid-60s when suddenly she craved meat.  She thought that she was going mad but we shared a steak - she began eating a small amount meat every month and within 3 months felt better.  We are after all meat eaters and sometimes the body requires that type of protein.

Fish? Eggs?  Oily fish once a week ..........