Regular feelings of 'low blood sugar' but I am not diabetic, what could cause this?

[OnaSaturdayin1999]

I have suffered a myriad of chronic health issues for years and I am becoming increasingly certain that they are all connected, although I am struggling to find a doctor to connect the dots.

A problem which really does get to me is this strange sensation that I can only describe as a sudden onset of a low blood sugar level-like attack. Regardless of what, how or when I have eaten I will suddenly come over feeling super shaky and weak, very tired and nauseous and burp loads, and sometimes, not always, I will have to use the loo quickly (I do have daily IBS like symptoms too). This feeling often comes over me mid to late afternoon. I am certain it's not to do with not eating enough as it happens regardless of what I have eaten. I still have strength (ie I can still grip stuff) but I feel so weak and shaky and my legs will feel like jelly. I will often feel headachy too. During this time, although my stomach feels off I feel that I need something starchy to eat to try to counteract the feeling although it often has little effect, I just have to let it pass. It lasts a few hours and after I will feel drained for the rest of the day and need to sleep or rest up.

I used to think it was related to low iron, I have a history of gynae issues and was iron deficient for many years but since having infusions a couple of years ago my ferritin levels and iron have remained within normal levels. I had a HbA1c blood test recently which was also normal and all other blood tests have returned as normal according to NHS ranges (B12, vit d, thyroid etc).

Does anyone know what could be causing this? I really don't want to keep experiencing this on top of my other health issues. I keep a food and symptoms diary as I have IBS but I genuinely can not see any connection to anything that I am eating, drinking (only drink water) or doing within my life to experience this awful feeling.

I have the same and welcome insight from others as to the cause.

I will say protein helps, as soon as I start to feel unwell I reach for boiled eggs (2) some chicken, ham or Greek yogurt. My body is craving full fat coke, a mars bar, high sugar but I can't afford to eat those things as I already am overweight without them!

I get the full fat coke craving too which is weird as I rarely drink it but when I get this feeling that's all I crave alongside starchy stuff.

I always make sure I have a good source of protein with all my meals.

It's such a strange sensation isn't it? Do you suffer from any other health issues? I have IBS, endometriosis and adenomyosis but I just can't see how they can be connected to this feeling?

I get the shaky sensation if I eat too much carbs with no protein. So sadly scones are a no no, along with afternoon cake, sometimes happens if I buy something like a pasta salad pot for lunch. I am fine if I buy or make something high protein.
Once I have the shakes I need something with sugar in it to get me to feel ok again. It is unpleasant so I try to avoid it.

Reactive hypoglycemia. You can test yourself to find out if it is

I always eat protein with anything I eat and I don’t eat too many carbs so not sure why I get this feeling.

How do I test myself for reactive hypoglycaemia?

Yeah I feel like I'll die if I don't have a can of coke! I feel weak, sweaty, dizzy and so exhausted and my heart papitates. It's grim. Not happened to me for a while though.

Buy a blood sugar monitor and test your blood sugar after eating if it suddenly drops about 2 hours after eating you probably have reactive hypoglycemia. Keep a record and take it to your gp

Did you ever find the cause?

Thanks, I’ll do that.

Yes, I have this. It has been confused with diabetes by nurses in hospital (when you have to fast - I get very unwell and they have to give me glucose sachets).

Sounds like Dumping Syndrome.

I have this. Low carb diet will help and avoid diabetes in the long term. Buy yourself a Continuous Glucose Monitor

I get this but I think it’s linked to acid reflux. So it feels like my bloods are low (I have checked and they are only a little low) but it’s actually too much acid, now I have this under control more I don’t get it as much.

I do have digestive issues and have had for almost 30 years, lots of tests but they always say it's just IBS.

I do eat fairly low carb and higher protein and have considered keto but I can't tolerate eggs or dairy so it would be very restrictive.
I'll look into a continuous glucose monitor, thanks.

That's interesting, I have awful issues with nausea and acid but a recent gastroscope came back completely clear so my gastroenterologist is saying it's functional dyspepsia.

You could be talking about me OP. I have very similar, usually end up asleep which sorts me out, but I get palpitations, feel shaky and generally unwell

I'm the same, I've taken myself up to bed, feel bad as I haven't seen DH all day but I feel so drained when I get this that I have no conversation in me and now have a splitting headache from the tiredness so I may as well go to sleep.

I find it so annoying not really knowing what causes it.

I had this for many years. I remember episodes right back to my childhood. Was fobbed off by docs after trying to investigate after a particularly bad episode where I passed out and hurt myself in my early 20’s. Had another bad episode around 10 years ago where I stayed feeling shakey and unwell for a number of days where docs investigated and couldn’t find anything. Strangely it hasn’t happened since then. Sorry I can’t be of more help but you’re definitely not alone

Could it be a dip in your blood pressure?

AF?

Try an electrolyte drink

I get low blood sugar episodes sometimes even if not diabetic. At those times I feel weak, raised heartbeat, sweaty, look pale, sometimes vision gets blurred in a strange way. This happens randomly and I can go months without it happening, but it seems to be connected to eating sugary foods without eating properly that day. For me though eating something sugary is also a quick fix - I now carry some sweets at all times because this feeling is very unpleasant and requires quick fix by raising blood sugar fast.

Like others have said I’ve had this my whole life. I’ve learnt that if I go straight in with something sugary/carby as my first food of the day, no matter what it is, I will have an episode. I have to eat sensibly first. I usually have Greek yoghurt and berries in the morning which starts me off on a good footing. If I had cereal, or jam on toast, I’d be fucked all day, it’s a constant battle then.