Question about blood sugar..? And stomach stuff?

So, I always have this slight feeling of being run down. Tired. Sore. Kinda like I have no energy. Some days it's pretty bad. I was wondering if thats because I have low blood sugar levels? I don't eat any sugary foods. Period. I eat veges, meat, nuts and a few berries.  No pop or bread or anything like that. No fast food. (low carb) So basically the only insulin I get is the stuff naturally produced/converted in my liver. So, I was wondering if that's why I don't get "hyper" like I used to..? Or is that amount enough?

I also eat low calorie amounts some days. But, I usually go 1200 or 1300 ish. Which seems to sustain me ok. 5'7, 120's.

Oh, I dunno if this has anything to do with it but I'm never -really- hungry anymore. Only slightly.  I just get headaches. And normally after I eat dinner my stomach hurts SO bad. It feels like I've just eaten 4 whole turkeys.

Sorry, I just thought I'd see if any of you guys knew anything because I'm too busy to go to the doctor and she's too busy for me lol.

Thanks.

You need to make time to go to the doctor for this one - it could be anything from hypothyroidism to anemia to just needing more calories. Sorry, not to scare you...well, just enough for you to schedule an appointment. : )

It really doesn't sound like you're eating enough.  I do think you should visit the doctor too though.

I agree with the wide range of possibilities that could explain your symptoms, but it definately is NOT low blood sugar, which presents with anxiety, shakiness, jitteriness, dizziness, frequent nightmares, etc. Basically, low blood sugar triggers a spike in adrenaline, so you can imagine the feelings you would get.

One possibility is that your body is actually in energy-preserving starvation mode since you are not getting enough calories for your size, even if you are trying to loose weight. Once you dip a certain fraction below your basal metabolic rate, your body actually shuts down, leading to fatigue, low mood, difficulty sleeping, etc. 

Finally, you should make sure you are drinking enough fluids, getting enough sleep, and not exercising too much or too little.  These are the most common causes of fatigue and are easily addressed.

Do you get light headed?  How is your attention span?  Have you noticed that you are more cranky or have less patience?

I would recommend checking with a doctor to make sure nothing serious is going on.  Try not to mix any protein and carbs; that slows down digestion.  Eat fruit by themselves; they digest quickly.  You may need to cleanse you liver, which you would need to go to an herbalist.  I use Standard Process products which are very high quality. However, you have to see a professional to get them.

You're not eating enough. Get those calories up to at least 1500-1800 and I'm positive within a week you will feel better. That's exactly how I felt when I was eating 1200 and I'm two inches shorter and quite a few pounds lighter.

I'd eat more at lunch and something solid, like chicken breast and a vegatable and maybe some small amout of starch - potato or cracker - that will get your sugar up, and give your stomach something to work on during the afternoon - then lighten up at dinner.

I think the above 1500-1800 carlories sounds like a good range.

Thanks everyone. I'll try to up my calories. But, I might do it extremely slow because I gain weight if I even look at food :/.

dc_runner81, yes sometimes I stand up and everything goes black. My attention span seems normal....but I do have ADD lol And yes I have been getting cranky actually. I'm acting like an old woman and I'm only 18. Hm...what does that mean?

Original Post by rdg_md:

I agree with the wide range of possibilities that could explain your symptoms, but it definately is NOT low blood sugar, which presents with anxiety, shakiness, jitteriness, dizziness, frequent nightmares, etc. Basically, low blood sugar triggers a spike in adrenaline, so you can imagine the feelings you would get.

Eep.  That sounds like how I've been lately :| 

No fat intake?

 

You need some form of fuel.  Either carbs or fat.  Living on protein and fruits/veggies isn't healthy and is causing your symptoms.  Your diet is just too imbalanced.

If you want to go low carb, fine, but you have to have some fat.  Basically you just aren't giving your body any choices for fuel.  It doesn't like to use protein as fuel.

 

Oh, and protein does raise insulin.  just not as much as carbs.  And insulin isn't made in the liver, its made in the pancreas.