Hypoglycemia - help

Hi Everyone!  I am starting to get more and more hypoglycemic all the time now.  I never eat white refined carbs, only whole grains.. and limited amounts.  However this is my dilemma. I am below goal.. my protein is already sky high like over 100 grams even up to 125 grams some days and my fats are maxed out too.  The only thing to add is carbs.. so I have been getting over a 100 grams now and when I do.. i drop all the time.  I also added strength training to my running routine.  I run 2-3 miles 3-4 times a week and now strength tranining 2-3 times a week 45 mins at a time. Ever since I started this a few weeks ago, blood sugars dropping left and right.  I do a protein bar usually before and after the gym.  I am a nurse so really do know how to control these things normally.. but for WLS patients of course its a whole nother ball game. I am below goal and adding cals to stop my loss but find that if I eat too many even good carbs, I just drop like mad. Partially I think this is my fault b/c I detoxed from carbs (especially bad ones) 6 months preop.  I think my pancreas is still spitting out insulin like I am a diabetic even though I don't need that much and with the fat loss, there are more receptors available on the eyelet cells to uptake that insulin for my cells.. = disasterous, low blood sugars. I am very tired of it.  I eat 6 times a day.. I am doing everything I am supposed to.  I may have to give up the strength training.  It's been worse since.. any thoughts?  Thanks everyone. 

Melissa, What kind of carbs are you adding back in? Are they the kind that have slow blood sure uptake like these? Artichoke <15 Asparagus <15 Avocado < 15 Broccoli <15 Cauliflower <15 Celery <15 Cucumber <15 Eggplant <15 Green beans <15 Lettuce, all varieties <15 Low-fat yogurt, artificially sweetened <15 Peanuts <15 Peppers, all varieties <15 Snow peas <15 Spinach <15 Young summer squash <15 Zucchini <15 Tomatoes 15 Cherries 22 Peas, dried 22 Plum 24 Grapefruit 25 Pearled barley 25 Peach 28 Canned peaches, natural juice 30 Dried apricots 31 Soy milk 30 Baby lima beans, frozen 32 Fat-free milk 32 Fettuccine 32 * M&M's Chocolate Candies, Peanut 32 Low-fat yogurt, sugar sweetened 33 Apple 36 Pear 36 Whole wheat spaghetti 37 Tomato soup 38 Carrots, cooked 39 * Mars Snickers Bar 40 Apple juice 41 Spaghetti 41 All-Bran 42 Canned chickpeas 42 Custard 43 Grapes 43 Orange 43 Canned lentil soup 44 Canned pinto beans 45 Macaroni 45 Pineapple juice 46 Banana bread 47 Long-grain rice 47 Parboiled rice 47 Bulgur 48 Canned baked beans 48 Grapefruit juice 48 Green peas 48 Oat bran bread 48 * Chocolate bar, 1.5 oz 49 Old-fashioned oatmeal 49 Cheese tortellini 50 * Low-fat ice cream 50 If so, try sticking to the ones that are the lowest for a while and see if that helps (list retrieved from http://www.nutricoach.net/low_gi_foods.html).  I sometimes have an episode for no apparent reason and have to make a mad dash for my cheese and apple.  Just a thought. Diona

Hi Diona! I am only eating brown carbs that are completely 100% whole grain with high fiber content or nonstarchy veggies or carbs from low fat milk products like yogurt and cheese.  Whole grain tortilla (small ones with 8 grams of fiber), pitas same thing, 8 grams of fiber, protein bars with lots of fiber counts (atkins), yogurt (no sugar added), beans, romaine, brussel sprouts, bell peppers, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, apples are the highest glycemic index food I probably eat and even if i pair them with protein I drop.  I have to stick to even lower glycemic like blueberries and strawberries.. its frustrating.  I eat protein at every meal too.

I'm having a lot of the same problems.  So far, I seem to be able to control the episodes by avoiding the wrong carbs and eating often, but the problem does seem to be getting worse.  Sometimes it just seems to come on with little warning-- especially if I haven't had enough water.  Dehydration makes it worse.  I have tried to research the problem but haven't found any studies.  My surgeon says he sees it a lot in WLS patients, but has no other suggestions for me.  It's a little frightening.  You're a nurse, are there any vitamins/minerals that help with carb metabolism that we might be low on?

 

 

Thiamine helps with this but I already take 100mg of this a day (its also known as B1).  Otherwise not sure of any others.  If I figure something out I will let you know.  I'm pretty tired of feeling this way, I shouldn't complain but its getting old especially since "junk" doesn't get put in my mouth.  Even the good stuff can send me spiraling downward.  Hits me fast too.  Good luck to you!

I take my supplements religiously and like you, eat really healthily.  I also exercise a lot.  All my labs have been normal.  I'll keep doing research as well.  Hopefully, we can figure this out.  Keep in touch!

 

Found this article.  

 

http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/353/3/249 

Thank you for sharing this.  I think tomorrow i need to low carb it again and slowly work my way back up again little by little (I was at about 75 good carbs and now that I have gone over 100 the symptoms of low blood sugars are worse).  Also the strength training I have started really seems to have increased it.  Yes, lets keep in touch!

Not much advice except to stay away from carbs. I have reactive hypoglycemia and I have to watch carbs......Im mostly following Atkins. Its hard and frustrating, I know.

Hope you find something that works for you!

It is frustrating considering i get over 100 grams of protein as it is... i really don't wanna "beef" that number up much more nor that fat.. what does that leave? carbs.. evil.. carbs.  Argh.. thanks for listening and responding.