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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Feeling Dizzy And Sleepy After Starting A Low Carbohydrate Diet. Do I Have Diabetes?

Hi I have been on a low carb diet cutting out all High GI carb for few days, but I noticed I start to feel a bit dizzy and funny in the head. Then today I really wanted to have something sweet, so I drank 1/4 cup of Mocha - just a bit sweetened, then I suddently felt very sleepy, and it made me feeling worst! Is there something wrong with my blood glucose, will I end up being diabetic ? I m
So worried! But before my low carb diet, I would eat ice cream, sweet stuff without feeling sleepy or sick!
Mon, 6 May 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,
It is a typical feeling after you start a low carb diet.
People on low-carb diets commonly suffer from weakness, fatigue, dizziness, headaches and constipation, particularly during the beginning stages of the diet. 

Actually low carb diets  causes a condition called ketosis, where partially broken-down fats build up in the body.This  Ketosis,then results in  weakness, dizziness, nausea, dehydration and irritability.But after few days body gets adjusted to it and then your symptoms go away.
After few days stored glycogen starts breaking up which results in more urination and this ultimately results in loosing of more of sodium,potassium and magnesium.
Having lower levels of these minerals will make you very, very tired, lightheaded or dizzy, give you muscle cramps, and headaches. This is one of the most common of the low carb diet side effects, and it can be avoided for the most part by making sure you get enough replacement minerals.
You can counteract the mineral losses by eating more salt or drinking salty broth, and eating potassium containing foods ( like fruits and green leafy vegetables ) .

You shall be all right soon and it is not diabetes.
However if you are very tensed about diabetes,you can get blood sugar levels fasting and PP measured.
Thanks
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Feeling Dizzy And Sleepy After Starting A Low Carbohydrate Diet. Do I Have Diabetes?

Hello, It is a typical feeling after you start a low carb diet. People on low-carb diets commonly suffer from weakness, fatigue, dizziness, headaches and constipation, particularly during the beginning stages of the diet.  Actually low carb diets  causes a condition called ketosis, where partially broken-down fats build up in the body.This  Ketosis,then results in  weakness, dizziness, nausea, dehydration and irritability.But after few days body gets adjusted to it and then your symptoms go away. After few days stored glycogen starts breaking up which results in more urination and this ultimately results in loosing of more of sodium,potassium and magnesium. Having lower levels of these minerals will make you very, very tired, lightheaded or dizzy, give you muscle cramps, and headaches. This is one of the most common of the low carb diet side effects, and it can be avoided for the most part by making sure you get enough replacement minerals. You can counteract the mineral losses by eating more salt or drinking salty broth, and eating potassium containing foods ( like fruits and green leafy vegetables ) . You shall be all right soon and it is not diabetes. However if you are very tensed about diabetes,you can get blood sugar levels fasting and PP measured. Thanks