"Do you feel hungry after a meal? Have you had tests that show your fasting blood sugar is normal? Don't be misled by that! You could be suffering from postprandial hypoglycemia, a drop in blood sugar levels!" - warns Dr. Cubala, a physician who runs a medical blog on Instagram.
Reactive hypoglycemia, also known as postprandial hypoglycemia, can be diagnosed even in people who do not have diabetes. A characteristic feature of this condition is a drop in blood sugar levels 2-3 hours after eating. Symptoms such as trembling hands, anxiety, heart palpitations, or excessive sweating subside after consuming food or a sugary drink. Postprandial hypoglycemia may indicate insulin resistance and lead to the development of type 2 diabetes
- explains Dr. Cubala.
What is Reactive Hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, occurs when blood glucose levels drop below 70 mg/dl (3.9 mmol/l). Clinically significant hypoglycemia means blood glucose levels fall below 54 mg/dl (3 mmol/l). In people with hypoglycemia, cognitive function is impaired. Such individuals may become overly agitated or even aggressive, and have difficulty concentrating. Other symptoms include excessive sweating, trembling hands, and heart palpitations. Hypoglycemia is also associated with intense hunger, weakness, and vision disturbances. The severity of symptoms varies, and in extreme cases, it can lead to breathing difficulties, seizures, or even diabetic coma.
Reactive hypoglycemia refers to hypoglycemia that occurs after a meal. This condition is abnormal - usually, eating causes a rise (not a drop) in blood sugar levels, and elevated blood sugar typically lasts for at least two to three hours. It's important to know that reactive hypoglycemia can occur in both people with diabetes and those without any known health issues.
Causes of Postprandial Hypoglycemia
What could be the cause of postprandial hypoglycemia? Some experts believe it may result from excessive insulin production and release by the pancreas after consuming a meal rich in carbohydrates.
Excessive insulin production and secretion continue even after the glucose from the meal has been digested, causing blood sugar levels to drop below normal. It’s unclear what triggers this overactivity of the pancreas
- experts from diabetes.co.uk explain.
There is speculation that rare, benign, non-cancerous pancreatic tumors may be behind the pancreas's overactivity. These tumors can either stimulate the pancreas to secrete insulin or use too much glucose themselves. Another theory suggests that postprandial hypoglycemia may be caused by a deficiency in glucagon secretion (a hormone that works opposite to insulin by raising blood sugar levels through the release of glucose from liver glycogen). However, the exact causes of postprandial hypoglycemia remain unclear.
