I have always had a high metabolism, need to eat several meals per day, but if I can't eat when I need to I often feel shakey - sometimes trembling, light headed, I will talk fast and studder, can't think straight, and sometimes even begin feeling very warm and sweaty. Do people who aren't actually hypoglycemic feel this occasionally? I don't know if I am hypoglycemic, but it sure is annoying. sometimes if I chew a peice of gum (sugarless though), it makes me feel a little better until I can eat.
Does anyone have any input about this whether I should consider this a big deal or not?

Hello
Anytime a person has a medical situation, that person needs to have an answer. So in your case with your description I would give consideration to see my doctor to find out what is going on. Just for example, if you are hypoglycemic. Just as with a diabetic, if you run too many low blood sugars and do not know to take care of them properly, you will run the risk of potential brain damage. This kind of damage makes you unable to care for yourself for the rest of your life if allowed to go untreated long enough. So if this is not motivation enough to check this out with your doctor, I am not sure how else to convince you that it is worth your while to do so. I am interested in what you find out so keep us informed as to the outcome of your doctors visit. Take care of yourself the best you know how until you can get in to see the doctor.
Don http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Thank you for your advice, your probably right, I have to call my doctor this week about something anyway so I will have to discuss this with her. After reading many of the other posts on hypoglycemia, it kind of worried me more...so better to check in to it then ignore it!
Thanks again, and I will keep you posted...

Laney -
It's hard to tell if you're hypoglycemic without testing your blood glucose; however, there are some things you can do that may help minimize the symptoms.

1. Do not go long periods without eating. Rather than eating 3 large meals a day, try breaking it up so that you're eating 6 times a day.

2. NEVER, absolutely NEVER, eat carbohydrates without also eating some protein. Example: Apple with peanut butter. Or Cheese with crackers...etc. The protein stays in your body longer before converting to glucose, and will give you a steadier source of fuel. The carbohydrates will be converted very quickly. Also, carbohydrates trigger your pancreas to produce insulin and in people with hypoglycemia, the pancreas produces too much insulin. If you've got some protein in your system, that will give the insulin something to work on AFTER the carbs are gone.

Even if your glucose tolerance test doesn't show true hypoglycemia, some people are borderline, and the above eating habits should help you avoid the drops in blood glucose that trigger the symptoms.

Thanks for the advice, I already do eat several times per day. Sometimes I eat a small meal every 2 hours. It is a little longer if I have a large meat and potatoes type meal. I will have to try harder with the snacking though by adding protein.
I ordered that book - The low blood sugar handbook - to see if I can come up with a good eating plan to get through my days better.

I have an appointment to see my doc to discuss the hypoglycemia possiblity on 10/22...they will call me if anything sooner opens up. I really feel like this is what is going on with me, but what if she just says "make sure you eat several meals per day" and thats it!? Is there any suggestions out there as to what other information I should make sure to tell her? I know there isn't any specific treatment like drugs (as far as I know), but besides my symptoms described in the first post...anything else I should watch for and consider when I do go in to talk with her? Any suggestions would help.
It sounds like I am hoping to have this problem, thats not it, I am just almost sure thats what it is and want professional care and advice from her, not just the simple things I already know!