Feel like my blood sugar levels are low - advice and thoughts please

[Tigerblue]

Had my tea last night (veggie and lentil curry with rice and a banana) and shortly afterwards started feeling shaky and a bit odd like my blood sugar levels are low and I needed something to eat - I had a bit of easter chocolate on which made my difference.

I was fine when I got up this morning, had a herbal tea and then cereal as usual, but around 9am I started to feel like my blood sugar levels are low. Legs are wobbly as well.

Any ideas? Any suggestions what I could eat to help me feel better?

[CoteDAzur]

Why would your blood sugar levels be low if you have just eaten cereal?

Can it not be something else, like iron deficiency?

[CoteDAzur]

Or banana. Surely blood sugar levels would be up after eating a banana, Not down.

[Tigerblue]

It doesn't make sense that I feel like this especially as I've just eaten. I really need to go out and do certain things, so I might try with the one that nearby and hope I'll be okay, also the fresh air will do me good.

Hopefully not iron deficiency, although, worth bearing in mind if I don't feel better.

[babyboomersrock]

Are you eating enough protein? A carb and sugar-heavy diet (rice, cereal, banana, chocolate) would make me feel shaky too.

I know there's protein in lentils but when I was veggie, I found I needed to eat cheese and eggs in substantial quantities to avoid feeling shaky.

[Venusflytwat]

If I eat carbs at 7am I have shaky hands by half nine. Same at lunchtime. I've never really got on top of it tbh; other than upping the protein and lowering the carb/sugar count. I would quite happily eat carbs all day long but to stop the shakes I then end up eating far too much.

[Tigerblue]

I didn't feel any worse going out for a walk this morning, so that's good as I was worried I'd feel faint. Had salad, 2 boiled eggs and bread for lunch. Afterwards I did have a bit of a twinge in my upper tummy and when I did a bit of hoovering felt shaky. I've been feeling a bit tired since all this started, so have just had a catnap.

Bearing in mind what some of you have said about carbs and protein, I'd planned spag bol tonight, so I think I'll have more of the bolognese than usual (to which I love to add loads of parmesan cheese) for protein and less pasta. I've got some salmon and tuna steaks in the freezer, so will have one of these for tea tomorrow as I think they'll provide a good level of protein. I'll have some grapes in a bit (to keep up my intake of fruit and veg) and maybe have a hot milky drink tonight - I wouldn't normally have this, but it will provide a small amount of extra protein.

[timeforabrewnow]

Are you diabetic?

[Tigerblue]

As far as I know I'm not diabetic, but I did wonder about that. DH is meant to be home early tonight (I won't hold my breath) and then is around for the next two days, so at least I'll have an adult around if I'm not right.

[youarenotkiddingme]

I've felt like this on and off for a few days. Fuzzy headed too. I'm assuming some kind of virus? Mostly because nothing in my life diet and exercise wise has changed!

[SlB09]

Sounds viral, it could also be hormones (I frequently get this mid and end cycle), migraine, dehydration/BP etc. Give it a couple of days and see how you feel

[nearlyfinishednearlystarted]

How is your blood pressure? Your blood sugar will not be low after eating, the same symptoms you experienced can be from high blood sugar. If you don't eat, you can be low, but not after food.
You can buy a blood glucose machine if you are worried about your blood sugar levels. Normal has a big variant but between 4 & 7 is normal & after eating it can go up to 9 more information can be found on the diabetes site:

www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html

[Deux]

How old are you? If you are in the perimenopause years you could be experiencing insulin resistance which is more common then due to fluctuating oestrogen levels .

I've been diagnosed with this and told to avoid eating carbs without protein especially first thing.

[hairymuffet]

It's a sign of insulin resistance.
You eat something, your blood sugar goes up.
Your pancreas recognises it and shoots out some insulin, because you're resistant, your blood sugar stays up and your pancreas shots out more insulin.
Result = low blood sugar !
It can be a symptom of polycycistic ovarian syndrome

[Tigerblue]

Thanks for your further replies.

nearlyfinished - My blood pressure was up at the start of the week - I know I'm at the top end of the normal range and if I'm tense and it goes up I get a headache on top (which was happening). Fairly sure it's back down to normal from mid week. It's would be easy for me to get a glucose monitor at a discount(!) so will bear that min mind.

Deux & hairy, interesting what you say about hormones. I'm in late 40s so should be obviously postmenopausal - periods have been a slightly shorter cycle for approx eight months and have been feeling a bit warmer (I wasn't sure if this was the weather or my age).

If I'm not better by Monday/Tuesday I'll get myself checked out as I don't want to struggle at work.

[nearlyfinishednearlystarted]

A chemist will test them too but if you are worried a machine is fairly cheap. It could be hundreds of different things & impossible to diagnose on the internet. But a diary of food intake/mood & symptoms may be useful.