When you consider who’s more likely to be impacted by low blood sugar, you might consider somebody dwelling with diabetes. Though individuals with diabetes are most probably to expertise signs of low blood sugar, anybody can discover themselves feeling shaky or lightheaded as a consequence of a drop in blood sugar. So, what causes low blood sugar with out diabetes, and when must you be nervous? We talked to a health care provider to search out out.
What’s non-diabetic hypoglycemia?
If you happen to’re dwelling with sort 1 or sort 2 diabetes, you might expertise low blood glucose ranges as a facet impact of your situation. However when low blood sugar happens in somebody with out diabetes, it’s referred to as non-diabetic hypoglycemia.
“Hypoglycemia [low blood sugar] is when blood sugar falls below the normal range,” says Susan Savery, MD, DABOM, a board-certified weight problems drugs and first care doctor with PlushCare. “It is most common in people who are being treated for diabetes. Non-diabetic hypoglycemia occurs when the blood sugar falls below the normal range in a person who does not have diabetes.”
A traditional fasting glucose stage for adults with out diabetes is lower than 100 mg/dL. (Be taught extra about regular blood sugar readings by age right here.) If you happen to’re not already checking your blood sugar however are concerned with doing so, speak to your physician a couple of steady glucose monitor (CGM), an over-the-counter wearable system that gives readings all through the day.
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What causes low blood sugar in individuals with out diabetes?
If you’re not diabetic however have skilled signs of low blood sugar, you seemingly have questions on why it’s taking place. Right here, the most typical causes individuals with out diabetes might expertise low blood sugar.
Your physique launched an excessive amount of insulin
“The most common reason people without diabetes experience low blood sugar is something called reactive hypoglycemia,” says Dr. Savery. “When you eat, your pancreas naturally releases insulin to help manage your blood sugar levels. However, with reactive hypoglycemia, your pancreas releases too much insulin, which then causes your blood sugar to drop more quickly than it should. This usually happens about two to five hours after you’ve finished eating.”
In response to Healthline, reactive hypoglycemia sometimes happens in wholesome adults and not using a recognized underlying situation. It might even be triggered by exercising shortly after consuming a high-carbohydrate meal.
You’re on- a low-carb weight loss plan or skip meals
Way of life selections round consuming habits also can play a task in experiencing low blood sugar with out diabetes.
“Certain diets, such as low-carb eating plans, can sometimes lead to low blood sugar—particularly if you’re taking medications that increase your risk of low blood sugar,” says Dr. Savery. (Extra on that beneath.) “When a person eats irregularly or skips meals, it can throw off the delicate balance between our blood sugar and important hormones like insulin.”
Medicines and dietary supplements are additionally necessary to contemplate when you’re experiencing signs of low blood sugar with out diabetes.
“Non-diabetes medications that can cause hypoglycemia include beta-blockers such as propranolol, quinolone antibiotics such as levofloxacin and ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril,” says Dr. Savery. “Common herbal supplements associated with hypoglycemia include ginseng, chromium, bitter melon and cassia cinnamon.”
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How low blood sugar with out diabetes is handled
If you happen to’ve had a low blood sugar episode and don’t have diabetes, Dr. Savery presents steerage on what to do subsequent. Step one when you discover signs reminiscent of shaking, sweating, irritability or mind fog? Examine your blood sugar with a blood glucose meter (glucometer) or CGM to find out if it’s truly beneath the conventional vary (70 mg/dL). “A continuous glucose monitor can be helpful, since it provides ongoing blood sugar readings throughout the day,” provides Dr. Savery.
In case your blood sugar is certainly low, think about in case you have any of the chance elements above, reminiscent of following a low-carb weight loss plan or taking remedy which will have an effect on your blood glucose ranges. Whereas a one-off incident of low blood sugar typically isn’t trigger for concern, you’ll wish to speak to your physician when you expertise frequent bouts of non–diabetic hypoglycemia. They’ll focus on your choices, reminiscent of making dietary modifications or doubtlessly adjusting your remedy.
“A medical provider will also take a detailed history including when you eat, what foods you are eating and how these might relate to the low blood sugar episodes,” says Dr. Savery. “In rare cases, they might recommend additional tests to rule out other hormone-related conditions.”
For acute bouts of low blood sugar in in any other case wholesome adults that occur now and again, Dr. Savery recommends sipping ½ to 1 cup of fruit juice or soda or taking 1 to 2 Tbs. of honey. Repeat each quarter-hour till your signs resolve, she advises.
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This content material just isn’t an alternative choice to skilled medical recommendation or analysis. All the time seek the advice of your doctor earlier than pursuing any therapy plan.
