Blood Sugar Level

 lately my blood sugar has been dropping.  I'm not sure why either.  I feel the need to eat all the time.  Sometimes I'm hungry but other times I've eaten and a short time later I drop.  Has anyone else had this problem too?  Millie

it is very common with RNYers. Hypo-glycemia, not sure if I have anything in my profile about that one, I'll have to check....but yes, common, teaspoon of peanut butter helps.

You might keep some life savers or other hard candy around.

The real true way to avoid this is to have about 5 or 6 small meals.....not large meals, not snacks, but planned meals....I am supose to do this but is hard to do when at work.  The below article is why I suggest peanut butter, we don't need "sugar" for the hypoglycemia....that's not good.

Hypoglycemia, also called low blood glucose or low blood sugar, occurs when blood glucose drops below normal levels. Glucose, an important source of energy for the body, comes from food. Carbohydrates are the main dietary source of glucose. Rice, potatoes, bread, tortillas, cereal, milk, fruit, and sweets are all carbohydrate-rich foods.

After a meal, glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream and carried to the body’s cells. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps the cells use glucose for energy. If a person takes in more glucose than the body needs at the time, the body stores the extra glucose in the liver and muscles in a form called glycogen. The body can use glycogen for energy between meals. Extra glucose can also be changed to fat and stored in fat cells. Fat can also be used for energy.

When blood glucose begins to fall, glucagon—another hormone made by the pancreas—signals the liver to break down glycogen and release glucose into the bloodstream. Blood glucose will then rise toward a normal level. In some people with diabetes, this glucagon response to hypoglycemia is impaired and other hormones such as epinephrine, also called adrenaline, may raise the blood glucose level. But with diabetes treated with insulin or pills that increase insulin production, glucose levels can’t easily return to the normal range.

Hypoglycemia can happen suddenly. It is usually mild and can be treated quickly and easily by eating or drinking a small amount of glucose-rich food. If left untreated, hypoglycemia can get worse and cause confusion, clumsiness, or fainting. Severe hypoglycemia can lead to seizures, coma, and even death.

In adults and children older than 10 years, hypoglycemia is uncommon except as a side effect of diabetes treatment. Hypoglycemia can also result, however, from other medications or diseases, hormone or enzyme deficiencies, or tumors.

 Darlene,

I can't thank you enough.  This makes so much sense to me now.  I feel like I'm always needing to eat to keep on top of this.  I've dropped as far down as 44 in the last few months.  I usually hit into the high 50's... scares the bejesus out of me.  I can't miss a meal or have it late as it tends to catch up to me no matter what I eat.  The article mentions all of my symptoms.  By the time I drop I want to over eat cause I get scared then my blood sugar goes high.   This is the only problem I've had with my WLS.   I don't feel so bad wanting to eat all the time now....  lol

Thanks again....
Millie

PS  let me know how the powder food color works on your chocolate decorations