Hypoglycemia problem

#1

Hello, I’m hoping for some advice, as while I am able to obtain ketosis of 4 and above quite easily, my fasting glucose is always below 3. This leaves me shaky and hungry. What could I be doing wrong? Currently I eat OMAD 200grms in weight chicken, meat broth, 200grms in weight butter, 2 eggs yolks, 100grms in weight veg. I am following a version of GAPs/carnivore to try and cure a condition.

(icky) #2

I often have issues with hypoglycemia when doing extended fasts. I fix it by simply giving my body a tiny amount of carbs, like a tablespoon of apple juice diluted in a glass of water. I make sure it’s not something “yummy” like a piece of chocolate, to make sure it doesn’t create cravings.

I find that my body needs this “support” when fasting occasionally. And if I give that support, then my body settles down and will do many hours of fasting with regulated blood sugar levels.

I think that when my body accidentally gets into a hypoglycemic “dip” it sort of panics and sends danger signals like being shaky/ hungry. If I react to this with compassion and provide just enough carbs to get blood sugar back to safe levels, my body reacts well to getting out of the “danger zone”.

If I ignore it and just try to “force” my body to “deal with it” then I find the fasting experience to be a negative, stressful one.

#3

This is beautifully explained, thank you so much

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #4

How long have you been eating a ketogenic diet? If you are new to keto, then I would suggest eating three times a day until you are fat-adapted. At that point, you will likely find yourself skipping meals by accident, and then you can start doing so on purpose.

Also, how are you testing your ketones? If using urine strips, remember that they are not precise. The most accurate measurement is of β-hydroxybutyrate in the blood, but blood meters are not cheap.

Lastly, while restricting carbohydrate, be sure to eat enough protein and fat. Fat is the source of energy that replaces glucose when we stop eating carbs, so don’t fear it, because it has no effect on your insulin level (which carbohydrate raises considerably).

(Bob M) #5

3 is pretty low. How many meals do you eat a day? When do you get shaky relative to when you eat?

I’m wondering if you’re producing so much insulin that you’re driving blood sugar low (or maybe you have a glucagon problem - glucagon is the “mirror image” hormone to insulin; insulin lowers blood sugar, and glucagon raises it).