Question:
Anyone have dizziness and fainting with low rbc and low glucose?

I have been having near fainting spells and dizziness for a few months now. They usually last 30 seconds to a couple of minutes. Sometimes everything goes black, sometimes things just swirl around a while. It happens at various times of the day and there doesn't seem to be much of a pattern. Two months ago, my doctor recommended eating every two hours. So, I do. I had blood tests taken recently and my glucose level is still within "normal" levels but on the end of low. My glucose has dropped from 84 to 72 within the past 6 months and although 72 is still within "normals" levels, it is close to the low mark of 70. All of my red blood levels were low, like hemoglobin, ie. Including my red blood count which is low. All of my other numbers were good. Iron is really good. B-12 is excellent. I just don't understand. Anyone else have similar problems? I drink plenty of water, so I really doubt I am dehydrated. I have been told in the past by my doctor that I am borderline anemic. So, other than eat liver how can I overcome this problem? Help would be appreciated. Thanks a bunch.    — kirkpatrickbm (posted on November 20, 2004)

November 21, 2004
Before having had surgery I had periodic hypoglycemic periods;I would feel so shaky, hot, and weak when my bloodsugar would dip. Then, after surgery, and currently at 4.5 years post op, I have periods of increased episodes of lowered blood sugar. I notice that when I eat too many carbs, or carbs alone, I experience an increase in hypoglycemic episodes. It has helped me to eat a larger amount of protein than carbs when eaten together. Also, caffein can increase these episodes. As for being anemic; I was anemic about a year ago. I felt weak, and just tired. I was told to eat malto-meal because it has a huge amount of iron, in addition to taking ferrous sulfate(a strong type of iron), which should only be taken for anemia due to it's strengh. This helped; I no longer have anemia, but I do still have occassional bouts of hyperglycemic lowering of bloodsugars.I don't know if this will help, but maybe some leads for you.
   — twenc

November 21, 2004
Hi. I had the same problem and came to find out it was low blood pressure. I don't know how far post op you are, but I am almost 18 months out and still get it sometimes. My doctor said it was fairly normal and that it takes the body time to equalize after so much weight loss. Maybe check that out. Good luck!!
   — Jennifer H.

November 21, 2004
I started experiencing this around siz months. I asked my doctor about it and he said it was low blood sugar. He told me to keep small candy or something on me that when when I start getting dizzy to eat 1 piece. I did do this and have been fine ever since. Maybe this will help you. Good Luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 21, 2004
Hi bridget I went through the same thing after about a year I started eating mor sweets and some real pop. well I would have these epoisode of blacking out. I work at a lab so I thought next time this happend I would do blood one night after working 12hrs it happened so I thought maybe it was my electolytes well I waited awhil for results and couldn;t wait no long so at about 10:30 I get a phone call and it is my dr saying Angie are you o.k and I said yes why was my surgar high ( because I had found that I could eat little laughy taffy's and had ate about 5 that evening) and he said no why and I told him the story about the sweets and he said no your sugar was 28 I was floored but what was happening when I would eat sweets my blood sugar would go really high and drop with in 20 minutes so you need to be real careful and eat something good if your going to eat a sweet to my dr even wants me to wear a bracelet so when I blackout people knows wants going on. well I need to go if you have any other question feel free to email me thanks Angie
   — angela S.

November 21, 2004
I have the same problem with dropping to low if I eat sugars, "rebound hypoglycemia" However, if I eat sugar to counteract it I start on a roller coaster ride. I HAVE to eat protein if I start feeling low to bring it up with out my body over reacting. here is an exerpt from an article on dumping. If you want the whole thing email me. **************************************************** "Late dumping has to do with the blood sugar level. The small bowel is very effective in absorbing sugar, so that the rapid absorption of a relatively small amount of sugar can cause the glucose level in the blood to "spike" upward. The pancreas responds to this glucose challenge by "cranking up" its output of insulin. Unfortunately, the sugar that started the whole cycle was such a small amount that it does not sustain the increase in blood glucose, which tends to fall back down at about the time the insulin surge really gets going. These factors combine to produce hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) which causes the individual to feel weak, sleepy, and profoundly fatigued. Late dumping is the mechanism by which sugar intake can create low blood sugar, and it is also a way for gastric bypass patients to get into a vicious cycle of eating. If the patient takes in sugar or a food that is closely related to sugar (simple carbohydrates like rice, pasta, potatoes) they will experience some degree of hypoglycemia in the hour or two after eating. The hypoglycemia stimulates appetite, and it's easy to see where that is going...."
   — **willow**