Two weeks in: Feeling MORE hypo than before. Worried!

[esoteric]

Hi all!

Before I started my low carb thing, a couple of times a month or when I treated myself poorly (too much drinking the night before) I'd get the symptoms of hypoglycemia. That is, shaky, weak feeling, empty feeling, a bit tired, mental sharpness lost a bit, etc. I could easily relieve myself of this by simply eating something with carbohydrates.

My first week on low carb was rough. Mentally I couldn't think straight and my short-term memory was horrible as well. I work in a bar, and I lost all ability to multi-task. That "thread" that runs in the back of your head that keeps track of things to do or think about stopped working. I'd make stupid mistakes and all my sharpness was gone (usually I'm really quick and witty). I felt stupid and fatigued the whole time.

I've been feeling better, but the symptoms of hypoglycemia are starting to look MORE like diabetes than before when I was eating carbs. Symptoms include, increased hunger (and maybe thirst), more frequent urination of shorter length, sudden onset of weak, shaky hunger ("I need to eat NOW!!!"), fatigue, etc.

I'm a little worried, because I seem to be heading more and more towards WORSE low-blood sugar, than AWAY from it. I'm hoping my body will adapt, but it's been frustrating.

Does this experience mirror anyone else's?

Also, I've just started adding in some cardio and plan to add resistance training as well, hoping that will improve it.

Thanks so much!

[locarbbarb]

Hi there!

You will get a lot of advice here.

People will tell you to stick with it, it will pass. Some will say to go see a doctor, to find out exactly what is going on.

I doubt anyone will tell you to eat more carbs, well, maybe one or two.

So, you can pick and choose what you want to do.

I'd say this. Try eating reduced carbs. Keep them over 50 g a day, so you don't go into ketosis. The carbs you eat should be low glycemic, like vegetables, oranges, berries, even one slice of truly whole grain bread, with high fiber and no more than 10 g carbs per slice. Be sure to have some PROTEIN with every meal and snack.

Actually, eat no more than 20 g carb at a meal (or at a time).

You might find that this level is still enough to lose weight without feeling hypo.

I've been there...done that. Tried every amount of carbs under the sun. When I was heavier and did cardio every day, I had up to 90 g a day and still lost weight.

Even the Atkins website says you can start the program anywhere, you don't have to do induction (<20 g a day). Check out this page - LINK (http://www.atkins.com/articles/atkins-phases/phase-two/how-to-follow-phase-two-part-2)
Regular exerciser* 60-90 grams of carbs per day
*In this context, a regular exerciser is someone who does vigorous exercise five days a week for at least 45 minutes.

Don't over-do the exercise as you are starting out. You will be more apt to have a hypo. Walking is best if you haven't exercised in a while. Do moderate weights as well, to see how you do.

You don't have to jump in at the deep end. Just put a toe in the water and start slowly.

Definitely see a doctor if you don't feel better, though.

Barb

[Nancy LC]

You might be experiencing false hypoglycemia. False hypoglycemia is when you get the symptoms of hypoglycemia but your sugar readings are just lower than your body is used to. Real hypoglycemia happens when your BG readings drop low, like below 70 or 60. This happens a lot to type 2 diabetics and people on the road to diabetes when they cut out the carbs.

I am guessing that most people who aren't on insulin are probably false hypos. It just takes awhile to adjust to lower blood sugar.

As a guess you could try to lower the carbs more gently or just try to white knuckle it out.

Jenny has written about False Hypos here: http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045621.php (scroll down)

[locarbbarb]

Nancy,

That article was very interesting! I bet it's true because when I first started LC, I had to have many more carbs a day to feel well than I do now.

Over time, I've gradually reduced my comfort level from around 80-90 to 50-70. In fact, most days I have 50-60. I exercise every day, with vigorous strength training 3 X a week.

Very interesting!

[Candyless]

Are you low on Potassium? Alcohol lowers your potassium also.

[Lottadata]

The increased urination is probably not from blood sugar. It happens because you are depleting your stored liver glycogen. I have written about this on: http://www.phlaunt.com/lowcarb/19058097.php

Are you testing your blood sugar with a meter when you feel low? That would be important. Unless you are under 70 mg/dl you aren't truly low.