Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia

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Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia
What is non-diabetic hypoglycemia?




Non-diabetic hypoglycemia is a condition that causes the sugar (glucose) in your blood to drop too low. This can happen in people who do not have diabetes. The 2 types of non-diabetic hypoglycemia are fasting hypoglycemia and reactive hypoglycemia. Fasting hypoglycemia often happens after the person goes without food for 8 hours or longer. Reactive hypoglycemia usually happens about 2 to 4 hours after a meal. When your blood sugar level is low, your muscles and brain cells do not have enough energy to work well.

What causes non-diabetic hypoglycemia?
•Fasting hypoglycemia:

◦Certain medicines or herbal supplements such as fenugreek, ginseng, or cinnamon

◦Alcohol

◦Exercise

◦Medical conditions such as liver disease, hypothyroidism, and tumors

◦Eating disorders or malnutrition

◦Stomach surgery or hemodialysis

•Reactive hypoglycemia: The causes of reactive hypoglycemia may be unknown.

◦Hyperinsulinism

◦Meals high in refined carbohydrates such as white bread or foods high in sugar

◦Prediabetes

◦Any surgery of the digestive system

What are the signs and symptoms of non-diabetic hypoglycemia?
•Blurred vision or changes in vision

•Dizziness, lightheadedness, or shakiness

•Fatigue and weakness

•Fast or pounding heartbeat

•Sweating more than usual

•Headache

•Nausea or hunger

•Anxiety, Irritability, or confusion

How is non-diabetic hypoglycemia diagnosed?
•Blood tests are done to measure your blood sugar levels. These tests may also be done to find the cause of your hypoglycemia.

•Fasting tests may be done. You may have an overnight fasting test or a 72-hour fasting test. After you have fasted overnight, your blood sugar levels will be tested 2 times. For a 72-hour fasting test, you will not be given food for a period of up to 72 hours. During this time, caregivers will check to see if your blood sugar drops to a certain level.

•An oral glucose tolerance test may be done. After you have fasted for 8 hours, your blood sugar level is tested. You are then given a glucose drink. Your blood sugar level is checked after 1 hour and again after 2 hours. Caregivers look at how much your blood sugar level increases from the first check.