Some insight would be great - hypoglycemia

[csb123]

Hi all,

Have a lady friend (40) been training many years and a competitor in body fitness.

She started feeling not well after her last comp around 3 weeks ago. Had her cheat day or couple... And started going into prep for her next show.

Diet is lowish carbs but not no carbs.

Only caffeine is 8/10 cups of coffee a day.

Only hormone support is low dose var and winny at the moment. No Glucophage or anything similar and certainly no slin.

No eca no pre workout etc

Almost every hour to hour and a half after a meal she gets a serious low sugar issue, can hardly stand, dizzy, can't talk, confused. Some sweets helps a little bit. Sugar tests after each time is 3.3 then 4.4 then 4.1.

This is now ongoing multiple times a day. Carbs in diet was adjusted but didn't help much.

She has gone to the doctor twice now and it is not diabetes according to them. And suggested she carries sweets with her and also ups salt etc. Her diet has plenty seasoning in it, she also has a electrolyte replacement drink before training and it's not helping either.

At a loss at the moment on what it could be and the doctors haven't been overly helpful and the issue has not been resolved and as many here would know it's extremely scary when it hits.

Any help or insight would be great, or experiences if you have had similar.

 

[palifter21]

High doses of caffeine can cause hypoglycemic similarities; ask anyone that's deep into prep and takes a 400mg caffeine pre workout...it's not fun. I'd tell her to start cutting back on the coffee. Meal timing may play a role too but you'd need to be more specific with her meal schedule and training schedule.

 

[Stewie]

I'm taking a stab in the dark here. There's many things that can be translated here. Tho no absolute.

One being as palifter21 pointed out is the over-indulgence of coffee (caffeine) induced hypoglycemia.

Next could possibly be an electrolyte imbalance. Such as lowish Sodium (hyponatremia) and possibly caffeine induced hypokalaemia-- Low potassium.

Has she had a CBC or chem panel pulled.

Definitely have a follow-up with her primary care provider.

 

[csb123]

Thanks guys

No Chem panel I am aware of. I am just trying to get her current diet set up as it changes very two weeks or so. I am not her coach on this one. Training wise I will let you know shortly.

The doctor did also suspect low salt, so she introduced the rehydrate packs and some more salt. But no real improvement as yet.

I have suggested she reduced the coffee on your guys request and willwill let you know if it helps