hypoglycemia--anyone get it?

bikergirl17

have had two bad episodes (one resulting in passing out while cycling) -- talking well beyond the usual bonking -- blood suger level down <2.5, which is supposedly not good (4+ is normal).

am eating and it has only happened twice in a year, so is that something that needs to be tested? anyone else experienced something like this, and is it a matter of just mainlining sugar?

andyk19

I've had it from long distance hiking but never cycling. When hiking I've found proper nutrition to be key to avoiding it, as it usually happened when I'd stopped eating properly due to tiredness.
As for being tested, I have no idea but there can't be any harm in asking a GP.

Also I take it you mean hypoglycaemia which is blood sugar dropping too low?

BigJimmyB

Sorry to be a smartar$e, but you're referring to HYPOglycemia.

HYPO refers to lack of, HYPER refers to too much of.

Go and get tested!

alex1rob

Ok my gut instinct is that you probably don't need to worry, and this is a common hyperchondriacal complaint. Some people may be more sensitive to changes in blood sugar but your body will always save sugar for your brain which is more efficient at taking it from the blood stream than muscles. The reason you 'bonk' is that your brain tells your body that it cannot do any more exercise or else the blood sugar will drop further, you have exhausted your muscles/livers store of energy and rely on slower sources (fat mainly).

As for passing out, I would be careful to attribute it to a low fingerprick reading. It is far more likely to be due to dehydration or some other condition, are you prone to passing out? I have fingerpricked myself a number of times for glucose and have had a reading of 2 a few times, when I have been feeling perfectly fine. There is a horrendous amount of inaccuracy (15-30%) in fingerprick testing. There are two conditions which can cause you to have low blood sugar, one occurs at random times (very very very very rare insulinoma) and the other occurs after eating a meal (Addison's disease). Neither of which would explain getting it during exercise.

End of the line passing out during exercise is probably due to over exertion and exhaustion/dehydration and you are most likely fine. However, I can't be sure of everything that is going on with you and don't have the full details so it is probably safer to approach your GP and get an opinion. I would advise you not to present with 'low blood sugar' but rather you 'passed out while exercising'. You will probably get more of a full work up.

Disclaimer - This is not medical advice. Just an opinion that you should not base your decisions on. If you have any concerns with your health you should consult a qualified healthcare practitioner.

bikergirl17

eom

cyco2

I get hypo at the drop of a hat. So, I make sure I get a good carbo meal (pasta)1hour before say a 40 mile ride, on and off-road. Up to 30 miles I'm ok. I also take in a litre of energy drink for 30 miles and 2 litres for 40 miles but as the temperature goes up more is needed. I have no idea how much I need but by experimenting I think I hold hypo at bay. I hope by doing this I don't go into my glycogen reserves because if I do it can take a day to recover.