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What Are The Symptoms Of Hypoglycemia?

Posted on Thu, 11 Dec 2014

Question: Yesterday I experienced what was thought to be hypoglycemia. It occurred at noon and I was having some of the common symptoms like dizzyness, chills and blurred vision. I had not ate anything other than a 7am coffee and a small piece of bread (I lost track of time). I also took one theraflu tea packet around 10 in the morning for my cold symptoms. My question is: was the blood sugar drop due to missing a meal, or is there something in the theraflu that affects glucose levels, or was it a combination of both? I'm 24 yrs old and relatively healthy, although I'm due for a physical. I also exercise enough to control my weight.

Answered by Dr. M. Vamsi Krishna (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Will need some information, can you answer these questions please?

Detailed Answer:
Dear sir
i can understand your concerns
in need to have some information to proceed to further Discussion.
1.Are you taking any medications?
2.how much time the episode of blurred vision was there?
3.how many times you suffered the problem and is it the first time?
4.do you have any symptoms like burning urination ?
5.Any history of increased temperature?
in a normal healthy individuals its very rare to see hypoglycemia.
At any given time there will be around 15gms/kg body weight of glycogen reserves in liver and it can support up to 24 hrs before getting depleted.
in some conditions like increased metabolism like infections and fever this glycogen will be depleted quickly.
regards
Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Diabetologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. M. Vamsi Krishna (12 hours later)

I'm currently taking no medications. The blurred vision was actually a difficulty to focus my eyes on a particular area or light headedness. This lasted approximately 10-20 minutes and slowly went away as I started taking sips of Gatorade and other small foods. This particular event is the first of its own in terms of severity however I have had events in the past where I experience fatigue if I have no food within my system. No burning urination to report and no history of increased temperature.

Answered by Dr. M. Vamsi Krishna (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
it might be hypoglycemia or transient ischemic attack

Detailed Answer:
Hi there
thank for your valuable information.
As per your information i am ruling out the involvement of infection in this scenario.
There are two most probable explanations for your episode.
1)Hypoglycemia.
2)Transient ischemic attack.

your explanation about the symptoms is quite classical for hypoglycemia

The only best way to rule out hypoglycemia is to check the blood sugar test done.
I am able to see that you suffered with similar events in the past.
I suggest you to go for evaluation with some test like.,
1.Insulin essay during extending fasting(fasting more than 12 hrs)
2.C-peptide analysis.
This two test will give some info to diagnose the condition.

The next condition is transient ischemic attack
This is a condition in which there will be reduced blood supply for brain for few minutes.
usually transient ischemic attack will never last for more than 24 hrs
This condition need to be evaluated with a neurologist.
He might suggest investigations like
1.CT scan
2.EKG

Hope I was able to help you.
If you have any further question feel free to write me back. I will be happy to help.
Take care.
Best Regards.
Dr Vamsi Krishna
Consultant Diabetologist
Apollo Hospitals

Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju