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Suggest Treatment For Severe Anxiety And Stress

Posted on Tue, 27 Sep 2016

Question: I am insulin resistant and have elevated DHEA-S. I need to lose 35lbs. I also suffer from extreme stress and anxiety due to divorce. The problem is I feel I cant tell the difference between anxiety and hypoglycemia. My endo says the insulin resistance is not causing my symptoms bc my glucose is perfect even during these episodes. However it seems alleviated after eating. But could it actually be anxiety/panic that Im mistaking for hunger? How can I tell the difference?

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Check blood glucose during the episodes

Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your question.
If during symptoms, if blood glucose is normal, then it is not due to hypoglycemia.
Tremors , sweating and palpitations can be there for anxiety/panic episodes as well as for hypoglycemia. It is very difficult to differentiate with out doing blood glucose level.
Eating/over eating is one of the common things people do in anxiety/depression. You may need to meet a psychitrist and start medications. That will also help to improve your symptoms.
Next time when you feel those symptoms, please check your blood glucose by a glucmeter. If that is normal, your symptoms are not hypoglycemia related.

regards
Binu

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

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (40 minutes later)

I have checked during these episodes and glucose was 82.

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (24 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Rate of fall

Detailed Answer:
usually one would consider 82 as a normal glucose level. However I have seen some people developing hypo symptoms even at 100.
The rate of speed at which glucose reduce also matters. suppose your glucose levels were 200 and suddenly falls to 80, you may experience hypo symptoms even though most doctors consider low sugar as below 75 mg.

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

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (37 minutes later)

Can stress both physical from chronic illness & emotional affect insulin or dhea s levels

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (21 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Stress plays a big role

Detailed Answer:
yes of course. insulin levels can vary in stress due to high levels of stress related hormones. these hormones antagonise the actions of insulin and worsen insulin resistance. Pituitary is overactive in stress and ACTH hormone will be high which in turn can stimulate adrenal gland to produce excess cortisol and DHEAS.

Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

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