Can Hot Flushes And Fainting Sensation Be Symptoms Of Low Blood Sugar Levels?

Posted on Fri, 31 Jul 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 31 Jul 2015 Answered on

Sat, 22 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Why is it during an panic attack, that the excessive hormone adrenaline, leads to hot flushes, which can make you feel like to may faint/pass out???

Is there any possibility this could be low blood sugar is this similar symptoms?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Hypoglycemia can cause similar symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. It is a normal physiological response of body to secrete adrenalin in response to some anticipated fear. This prepares body to fight-flight response or acute stress reaction.

Adrenalin rush results in shift of blood circulation which cause hot flushes, fainting like stage.

Yes low sugar could be the reason for similar symptoms. Hypoglycemia cause similar symptoms like faintness. But this can be easily ruled out by checking blood sugar levels.

Thanks, Hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (50 minutes later)

if you have been diagnosed as having panic attacks, is it highly likely occasional fainting like symptoms is only panic attacks and not Hypoglycemia?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes hypoglycaemia can also result in fainting

Detailed Answer:
Hello again, thanks for asking a follow up

No that's not true, even adrenaline rush increase body metabolism and thus results in consumption of glucose reserve of body which might go in hypoglycaemia.

While hypoglycaemia due to any other cause may lead to precipitation of panic attacks and thus complicate the anxiety. So the relation is bidirectional and either of condition can lead to fainting like symptoms.

Thanks, Hope this helps you, if you have more doubts you can ask again

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (8 hours later)

bit confused sorry....too medical for me.

I have never ever fainted.....just had the hot flushes very occasionally, which feel like you may faint...

So its more likely panic attack symptom or hypoglycaemia?

Should I just go and get my bloods tested?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
These symptoms are more likely due to panic symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up

I am sorry for using medical terms, but I used these to explain the physiology to you.

Its more likely due to panic symptoms than hypoglycaemia.

No need to get your blood tested. If symptoms increase in severity then you can take low dose benzodiazepine like Clonazepam on SOS basis and this will surely help you.

Thanks. Still have more doubts please ask again.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar