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What Causes Reactive Hypoglycemia?

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Posted on Mon, 23 Feb 2015
Question: Good evening. 34 year old male. 5'11 tall, 169lbs. For the last four years I have been having symptoms that no doctor can find a cause for. These symptoms started at almost the exact same time. Up to the time the symptoms started, I never experienced them. They are as follows.

Frequent hunger - doctor did a glucose tolerance test and stated I have "reactive hypoglycemia" but no cause could be identified.

Explosive burps when getting hungry
Ive gained 30 pounds due to this frequent hunger

Migraines with aura - average one every couple months.

frequent urination to the point that I seem to expel the same amount or more than the liquid I take consume. Doctor advised that my blood work on one occasion showed I was slightly dehydrated, I was shocked at this revelation.

frequent elevated heart rate- my normal resting heart rate was in the high 50's to low 60's four years ago. My resting heart rate now is between 70 to 85. My heart rate during the day stays in the 90's without excertion.

On three occasions my liver enzymes have been elevated on blood work. 100/75.

When I consume alcohol my heart rate elevates (100-120 bpm) and stays elevated for 8 to 12 hours after consuming it. When consuming alcohol I have to urinate every ten minutes. Again, these symptoms have never been experienced up until around 4 years ago.
I also have a lot of anxiety now but not sure if its because of the symptoms or part of the symptoms.

Test I have had:
MRI of abdomen and organs
Stress echo of heart
EKG's
MRI of brain
Thyroid test
CBC
cortisol
c-peptide
and multiple other blood tests that I cant remember.
All test have came back normal except the slightly elevated liver enzymes and mild dehydration.
blood pressure is good and so is cholesterol

Thanks in advance for your response.
XXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Divakara (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Eat small but frequent food.

Detailed Answer:
HI XXXXXXX

Greeting from Dr. Divakara.P     
First of all thanks for choosing Healthcaremagic for posting your query.


You said you have been told that you have Reactive Hypoglycemia. Well reactive Hypoglycemia can explain excess of hunger and subsequent weight gain and burps.

There are no medications that can cure this condition . You need to make dietary adjustments in the form of avoiding simple carbohydrates and using protein more in the diet. Eat in small amount but more frequently.If in spite of this there is no relief then there are certain medications called Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors that can help you.

For your Migraine , you don't need any specific treatment as your frequency of Migraine headache is less. Just make sure you get proper sleep , avoid stressful situations and use a simple pain killer like Paracetamol at the onset of headache .

Regarding your Heart rate , resting heart rate of 70-85 is fine and nothing needs to be done . But if it bothers you I would recommend you to learn Meditation and start doing it.

As of your elevated Liver enzymes is concerned , the elevation is very mild and can be explained by your Alcohol intake . So just abstain from alcohol and your Liver enzymes will come to normal.

Elevation in your heart rate after consumption of alcohol could again be due to Reactive Hypoglycemia. My advise to you is check your blood sugars after Alcohol consumption at the time of elevated heart rate.

I also advise you to get Urine Osmolality tests done and revert back . Also among your blood tests has any tests been done for Digestive enzyme deficiency ? If yes kindly upload the report.

Hope this information was useful to you.
Any clarifications feel free to ask .

Regards.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Divakara

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2358 Questions

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What Causes Reactive Hypoglycemia?

Brief Answer: Eat small but frequent food. Detailed Answer: HI XXXXXXX Greeting from Dr. Divakara.P First of all thanks for choosing Healthcaremagic for posting your query. You said you have been told that you have Reactive Hypoglycemia. Well reactive Hypoglycemia can explain excess of hunger and subsequent weight gain and burps. There are no medications that can cure this condition . You need to make dietary adjustments in the form of avoiding simple carbohydrates and using protein more in the diet. Eat in small amount but more frequently.If in spite of this there is no relief then there are certain medications called Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors that can help you. For your Migraine , you don't need any specific treatment as your frequency of Migraine headache is less. Just make sure you get proper sleep , avoid stressful situations and use a simple pain killer like Paracetamol at the onset of headache . Regarding your Heart rate , resting heart rate of 70-85 is fine and nothing needs to be done . But if it bothers you I would recommend you to learn Meditation and start doing it. As of your elevated Liver enzymes is concerned , the elevation is very mild and can be explained by your Alcohol intake . So just abstain from alcohol and your Liver enzymes will come to normal. Elevation in your heart rate after consumption of alcohol could again be due to Reactive Hypoglycemia. My advise to you is check your blood sugars after Alcohol consumption at the time of elevated heart rate. I also advise you to get Urine Osmolality tests done and revert back . Also among your blood tests has any tests been done for Digestive enzyme deficiency ? If yes kindly upload the report. Hope this information was useful to you. Any clarifications feel free to ask . Regards.