Hypoglycemia turns into Diabetes?

United States
October 29, 2007 2:40pm CST
I went to a specialist doctor last week and he told me that I am diabetic. However, I have been hypoglycemic for many years. Is this possible? Have you had experience with this? I'm just doubting his word, mainly because he was so rude and abrupt during my appointment. Can hypoglycemia turn into diabetes?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
29 Oct 07
I'd get a second opinion but I'd have to guess yes. I think hypoglocemia is like the early stages of diabeties where you have trouble managing your bloodsugar but its not the the point of needing inselin yet. Diabeties runs in my family & both my sister & I are hypoglycemic now.
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Oct 07
That's interesting. I thought hypoglycemia was kind of the opposite of diabetes--producing too much insulin when eating anything with -ose in it (glucose, fructose, etc.). I'll have to check out what you're saying. That's not good news to me. I'm sure it's not to you, either. I'm sorry your family struggles with this. Thanks for responding. :)
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
31 Oct 07
Both are caused by the body's inability to regulate itself properly. You can see how it could shift from one end to the other.
@coolcoder (2018)
• United States
6 Apr 09
If I'm not mistaken, hypoglycemia is a pre-diabetic condition. Don't ask me how, I just read somewhere that it is.
• United States
31 Oct 07
Glycemia (either hypo- or hyper-: too little or too much) is the level of glucose on the blood. This is the most commonly measured sugar. An imbalance of blood sugar (either too low or too high) results in an imbalance of insulin production. The imbablance of these two factors leads to diabetes. Carbohydrates convert to sugars (energy) in the body. Not all carbs are equal; some are 'quick carbs' and some are 'slow carbs' (high glycemic foods and low glycemic foods)."Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, often develops from the same dietary extremes that cause diabetes, but instead of a diabetic shortage of insulin, an excess is produced. In time, if insulin overproduction continues, the pancreas becomes overworked and loses its ability to produce sufficientand/or effective insulin, the result is diabetes. This is why hypoglycemia often precedes the onset of diabetes." (Healing with Whole Foods, page 335, Paul Pitchford, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, 1993) Educating yourself about sound nutrition and following a disciplined eating program that avoids the kinds of foods that will spike blood sugar/insulin production, will lead to a healthier body.
• United States
3 Nov 07
That's what I'm up to these days. I need to get more into exercising, though. That's what I find difficult right now. I have exercised all my life up until the past 16 months. I just couldn't get myself to do it. It was too painful and I have been too short of breath. I'm trying really hard with the slow carbs, though. It's hard to find them because of my allergies, but I'm discovering them one at a time and trying to force myself to eat a little more than I was. Thank you for your very thorough answer! It cleared up this muddy issue for me very well. :)
@mikecrush (163)
• Malaysia
29 Oct 07
yah.. i am puzzled too. Hypoglycemia means low blood sugar content and how can it cause diabetes? Can i suggest something ? please go for a second opinion coz it will be better to have another specialist look into it.Moreover it's clear that the so called specialist doesn't have time to properly explain to you whats happened right and being rude. You are paying money for god sakes . it's not free hope everything will be okay with your health soon .
• United States
31 Oct 07
Thanks for the suggestion. I already am in the process of getting another opinion from a different doctor. Yes, we paid big bucks for a rude, uncaring doctor appointment. Kind of makes me sick to think about it. Thank you for your well-wishes. I appreciate it. :)
• India
30 Oct 07
Hypoglycemia is uncommon except as a side effect of diabetes treatment. But it can result from other medications or diseases, hormone or enzyme defeciencies. You have not mentioned for what reason you went to a specialist doctor. Any thing can change any time in our body. It is better to go for a diabetic test and this will clear your doubt.
• United States
31 Oct 07
I think you're right about the fact that it can be the result of medications or other diseases. Because I have fibromyalgia, and have had it for a long time, it seems like I continue to "collect" ailments. I've got stealth viruses, a cardiac problem, a thrombotic problem, and more. I'm also on a lot of meds, many of which are compounded or are supplements. I think the medicine thing is really pushing me under, personally. That was a good suggestion. I need to get another doctor's opinion of all this, and get checked for diabetes, as you suggested. Thank you for taking time to respond. Any further thoughts would be appreciated.