confused on RHG & other names it might go by

With all this talk of reactive hypoglycemia and other names I have seen others give I am just confused .. is reactive hypoglycemia & nesidioblastosis & noninsulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia (NIPHS) all the same thing??????   Or are they actually different from each other??? Rhonda

Rhonda, Reactive hypoglycemia is a symptom or "result" of a condition such as nesidioblastosis, NIPHS or other pancreatic abnormality.  In essence, the short answer is Yes, they are all the same, just stemming from different sources.  Does this make sense to you?  I hope so  ;) Cindy RN/Bariatric Coordinator St. Joseph Hosp Bryan, TX RNY 5/3/06 230/219(surgery)/133(current)

Cindy, Thanks for the info .. I guess it does kinda sorta .. smile .. I was just getting so confused .. I seen the endo Dr for the first time last week .. he said it was reactive hypoglycemia .. severe .. then others here say that is called by those other names .. he didn't mention them .. so was just getting confused .. but they all seem to have the same last resort if nothing else works .. removing a portion of the pancreas .. so again was just getting totally confused on the names .. smile .. thanks again Cindy!     Rhonda

Reactive hypoglycemia can have different causes.  It is a symptom.  For example, it can be caused by nesidioblastosis which is an enlargement and unusual longevity of pancreatic cells which are pumping out gobs of insulin like they're on steroids.  It can also be caused by insulinomas which are (usually benign) tumors in the pancreas.  I don't think there is any evidence that insulinomas are caused by GBS.  Insulinomas are not that uncommon in obese people so that's one of the first things that doctors will look for if you are having hypoglycemia.  I believe they do CT or other scans to locate these.  If they aren't there, then they look for "noninsulinoma" causes for what is going on.  There is evidence that prolonged gut hormone reactions to the presence of undigested foods, especially carbs and glucose in the intestines stimulates pancreatic cells to enlarge and not die as they normally would.  Some studies have found that this change is permanent (it doesn't revert to normal after GBS reversal).  However, I don't know if that outcome is different depending on how severe the condition is.  Some researchers believe that this is why you see very quick reversal of diabetic symptoms in post op GBS patients even before they've lost significant weight.  They are trying to figure out if they can use these gut hormones to treat diabetes without causing the reactive hypglycemia problems that GBS patients are experiencing.  

Beatrice,

Thank you .. that helped .. when I have mentioned the reactive hypoglycemia that I had diagnosed in '04 but nothing was really done with it and then I had a test in Nov and just seen the endo Dr last week and he again said it is reactive hypoglycemia there were others who said it was also known as one of the other two .. so I got confused and thought they were ALL 3 the same thing with just different names or something .. I know I have no tumors or anything .. but was told that medicine wouldn't correct it so I have to start checking my blood sugars .. something no one has ever had me do before and then I have to go and talk to them this week on my diet .. but if it fails and I still have problems .. cuz I have had 6 grand mal seizures with this since '04 then it would require a portion of my pancreas to be removed .. so that is why I got confused with those others .. thanks though on the info you gave .. I appreciate it .. Rhonda

You are very welcome Rhonda.  It's really important that you cut WAY down on your starchy carbs and even on some fruits.  I'm sure your dietician will help you.  I hope you will be able to keep this under control with diet.  My hypoglycemia is no where near as bad as yours, but I have found a real improvement with changes in my diet away from sugar and starchy carbs.  I'll keep you in my prayers!