Hypoglycemia

[Beefy]

This doesn't involve HRT, but I could use the advice of SWALE as a doctor. It may also be of help to others on this board who suffer from the same symptoms.

I'm 22. 6'1, 230 less than 15% bodyfat. As far as I know I have no existing medical conditions, however I believe I am hypoglycemic. A few months ago I thought it was diabetes, but I had blood work done and it checked out perfectly. I have all of the symptoms of mild to moderate hypoglycemia, and I'm worried that there may be some underlying problem (kidney, liver, or other) that's causing the hypoglycemia. Is it possible to be perfectly healthy and experience hypoglycemia? By the way, I have these problems everyday if I go more than 4 hours without eating. I haven't noticed any signs of kidney or liver problems like dark urine or other health problems. Anyone else experience hypoglycemia? Any help or advice on what I should do is appreciated.

 

[Millard]

This doesn't involve HRT, but I could use the advice of SWALE as a doctor. It may also be of help to others on this board who suffer from the same symptoms.

I'm 22. 6'1, 230 less than 15% bodyfat. As far as I know I have no existing medical conditions, however I believe I am hypoglycemic. A few months ago I thought it was diabetes, but I had blood work done and it checked out perfectly. I have all of the symptoms of mild to moderate hypoglycemia, and I'm worried that there may be some underlying problem (kidney, liver, or other) that's causing the hypoglycemia. Is it possible to be perfectly healthy and experience hypoglycemia? By the way, I have these problems everyday if I go more than 4 hours without eating. I haven't noticed any signs of kidney or liver problems like dark urine or other health problems. Anyone else experience hypoglycemia? Any help or advice on what I should do is appreciated.

The simplest and most obvious advice is to eat something every 2-3 hours.

I don't think it is unusual to feel this way after not eating for at least 4 hours - at least for anyone who is physically active and/or is accustomed to eating 5-6 meals/snacks per day. So, yes I think it can be a normal feeling for a perfectly healthy individual.

Have you recently changed the level of physical activity? Started a new training program?

Do you have your complete blood work? Was anything out of range?

 

[Beefy]

I'm not really concerned with having to eat every couple of hours, I was just worried that something could be wrong with me. Like an underlying health issue. I haven't changed anything drastically for the last 8 months or so. I've had these symptoms for at least a year, though. I am planning on having blood work done this month, but last December my blood work was right in line (blood pressure, LDL, HDL, glucose, etc.) across the board. The Dr. did say something about my protein levels or something in my urine. I can't remember exactly. I guess I'd just better revist the doc and get my blood checked again. While I'm there I'll see if I can get a check on my hormone and liver levels so I'll have a baseline to compare to since I've never used AAS, but am planning on it.

 

[SWALE]

I certainly would explore this issue further with your doctor.

Another possibility would be a deficiency of stress hormone. The adrenal glands, which produce them, can become "fatigued". Cortisol, besides being thought of as a "stress hormone", also is responsible for regulating serum glucose levels (which is why it is of the class glucocorticoids). I have noticed that patients who suffer this may get hypoglycemic (and quite uncomfortable) after injesting caffeine.

 

[freedomfighter]

Ahh another reason for cortisol being around.

Definitely keep working with your Doc. You might want to check out an endocrinologist and a nutritionist to set up a proper diet for regulating blood sugar. 30 years ago I worked with a woman that was one of the first diagnosed with hypoglycemia. She maintained a strict diet and by that overcame the negative effects of the condition(Depression, lack of energy, etc).

 

[Beefy]

Wow, based on what you guys just posted I'm almost certain it's hypoglycemia as a result of stress and extreme fatigue. I've been really busy with my business this year, averaging 14-16 hour days. In fact, I've pretty much quit lifting all together this year because I feel it's doing more harm than good. I've been trying to cut back on caffeine, although I admit I probably drink 12 or more cups most work days (Mon-Sat).

About half-way into January I began to notice that my muscles were sore and tired without even having trained that muscle. That's when I started to scale back lifting. Now I feel pretty much like shit most of the time. I don't sleep well at night. I shoot for 8, but feel lucky to get 5. To beat it all, I want to diet for the spring, but after about 10 days of a good calorie deficit I gave up all hope and started to eat more.

There's not much I can do to get away from working so much right now. I'm seriously thinking about meds to help out, but I'm not sure if that's the best way to go. I will see my doc. Thanks alot, SWALE and freedomfighter. You guys are great bros to have on this board to help young guys like me who are going through tough times.

Beefy

 

[freedomfighter]

How many days a week did you workout? Hypoglycemia causes symptoms that occur when blood sugar levels drop(so its kind of cyclical), but overtraining causes symptoms like you described in your last post. As Swale said stress hormone imbalances can be the cause, overtraining would screw up your cortisol levels. Make sure they test your cortisol levels.

 

[Beefy]

Well, I was lifting about 4-5 days a week. I haven't really lifted in at least 5 weeks, though. So it must be chronic fatigue from work or work related stress. I want a really thorough blood test done. Do I have to specifically tell my doc what I want tested? How do I make sure they test for everything I want to know (test levels, cortisol, etc.)?

 

[freedomfighter]

Ask for specific tests. Chronic fatigue syn sounds right but we should keep an open mind til test results are in.