June 12, 2003
Diagnosis and Symptoms
Question from Lawrence, Kansas, USA:
I’m 23 years old, and I believe I have suffered from hypoglycemic symptoms for several years. If I don’t eat every two to three hours, I get shaky, nervous, lightheaded, confused and experience mood swings. I also have heart flutters and cold sweats. Within 15 minutes of eating, I feel much better. However, I’ve also experienced extreme thirst and frequent urination, even in the middle of the night, and I know that these last few symptoms are symptoms of diabetes, not hypoglycemia. Is it possible to have both diseases concurrently?
Answer:
Usually not. Some people have speculated that the intermittent lows in people at risk for diabetes suggest dysregulated insulin secretion and hyperinsulinemia. However, I do not think this has been systematically studied. What you need to do is to have a fasting blood sugar with your next physician visit.
To avoid the hypoglycemic symptoms, you may need to eat small frequent feedings throughout the day.
JTL
