low & high sugar and emotional problems? - Diabetes Message Board

Hope* · 03-29-2002, 02:09 PM

I was wondering how to know if you have low or high sugar, since I've heard that diabetics can have their sugar get low on them too sometimes. High sugar runs on my mother's side of the family, and low on my dad's. For years I have had symptoms of low sugar (light headed, dizzy, shakey, weak, sweating when hungry, overweight). And some readings at the doctor's were in the 70's and low 80's, and once in the 60's. But when testing it with my grandfather's kit at home, at times I didn't feel well, it would be in the 50's and 60's. Once in a while I get the symptoms (shakey, light headed, hungry...) but the reding will be in the 70's, which a past doctor said 70's is fine.

My new doc thinks I am hypoglycemic, but doesn't do the glucose tests because she said it does not always give the info they are needing, since it changes all the time. By my own home tests and my sypmtoms, she has me eating more proteins and snacks to help my sugar stay level.

The thing is that a few months ago (before I starting seeing the new doc) I started also having depression and anxiety. I think hormones are a part of that, and I am on a progesterone cream now that seemed to be helping. But this month I had a bad cold and was not eating the way I should for my low sugar, and when PMS time came along, I had a very bad day with anxiety and depression. Pretty scary stuff!

I am wondering if high or low sugar can cause any of these mental/emotional symptoms? And also, I did a few readings again, which have been in the 160's range. So, I now wonder if I am hypoglycemic, or diabetic. I get rapid heartbeat sometimes and don't feel well. And get very tired a lot and also have major thirst (but I've had the thirst problem for years, even when I always was getting low sugar readings). Sometimes I feel better after eating, sometimes I feel worse. Who knows - maybe it's food allergies too...? I heard that can cause depression (weird, huh?).

Anyone have any words of wisdom or advice? I'd appreciate any feedback. It's so confusing, and it seems to be to doctors too...

WallSal55 · 03-29-2002, 03:42 PM

If you choose to stay with your doc, demand a Glucose
Tolerance Test. It is the defining test in detecting
diabetes. (I passed every urine and blood test for
diabetes, and they neglected to do the GTT. So my
diabetes went undiagnosed for, god only knows, how many years!) If you log on to diabetes.org and other
diabetes websites that pop up in a search engine, they
are very helpful. My blood sugar always ran at 70
for many years. Now, it runs high if I eat sugar.
I am sorry to say this, but doctors are not always
top notch in diagnosing diabetes--they often dismiss it or overlook it. The American Diabetes Assn. is
trying to get the word out, and has set up new
guidelines! It is important to rule diabetes in or
out! Yes, high sugar or low sugar can cause you to
feel different emotions. I have Type II diabetes
with a hypoglycemic factor--meaning if I eat high
sugary foods, I will be energized, my blood sugar will go above 140, but my sugar will then drop too low 2 hours later and I will be depressed. I eat
sugar free now to prevent the wide swings. Good luck!

[This message has been edited by WallSal55 (edited 03-29-2002).]

mlgable · 03-30-2002, 11:10 PM

You can have emotional problems as your blood sugar drops. A co-worker of mine has this problem and her mother and yes even I can tell when she is starting to drop. You need to follow the guidlines set by your doctor and be sure to eat your snacks as ordered. Keep some hard candy or glucose tablets on you at all times and it would be a good idea to keep a can of regular cola in your refrigerator at all times since this is great to help bring the BS back up. 65 or 70 up 105 0r 110 is considered in the normal range for BS. Also remember if you have a hypoglycemic attack and do use a quick acting sugar product to bring the BS up quickly be sure to follow up with a high protein snack so that you don't bottom out as the high sugar wears off. Since you have a family history of both hypo and hyperglycemia you should get tested for both. If you doctor won't do it then ask for a referal to an endocrinologist. Also since you have had know hypoglycemic spells you should get your self a glucometer so you can check you blood sugars as often as needed. Good Luck.

wolf · 03-31-2002, 11:55 PM

I've been a Type I diabetic for a few years; I can tell you that mood is DEFINITELY affected by blood glucose levels, especially the lows. Some diabetics report feeling "high" or "spacey" when blood glucose levels are high; I can't verify that personally.

Please get tested, as others have suggested. The faster a diagnosis is made, the sooner you can deal with whatever is causing your problem.

Hope* · 04-01-2002, 07:44 AM

Thanks for your feedback, everyone. I always hate pushing doctors to do things (like run certain tests). They always make you feel like you are a hypochondriac or something - or like they know what's best, and you do't have a clue. But I will call my new doc and see what she says. I did see a nurse practioner once who mentioned possibley sending me to an endochronologist for hormone problems. Maybe if my doctor won't refer me, I'll go see that practioner again. My dad let me borrow his test kit and Saturday I had weird readings. I had a whole grain bagel with lite cream cheese for breakfast with decaf coffee (no sugar). Not even an hour later my sugar read 170 (and I felt tired and spacey). Then I started doing some baking for Easter, a lot of mixing and kneading and rolling out dough, and I suddenly started sweating and feeling weak and shakey. I checked my sugar and it was 62. So I stopped to make some lunch. I then just felt so tired and wiped out the rest of the day even though my sugar later read 100. I didn't think 62 was suppose to be that low, yet I was really feeling crappy. I've felt crappy before with it in the 70's.

Oh, I also have been having problems with yeast rashes (which has been happening for years). It flared up Saturday too. Does anyone here have problems with that from sugar? I thought mine was from a weak immune system, but now am thinking maybe the sugar has something to do with it too...?

I think I'll chart my readings for a few more days, and then call to make an appointment with the doctor again. I've been trying to eat the way she suggested, but some days still get so weird...

Thanks.