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What Does A Blood Sugar Reading Of 80 Indicate?
Posted on
Wed, 19 Oct 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 19 Oct 2016
Answered on
Wed, 9 Nov 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : I hope you can clear something up for me. On Thurs. the 13th I found myself on the floor at work (alone) I managed to get up to call my mom that I would be late, of course someone came and took me home. I just felt worse, my boss (a Veterinarian) told my mom to call 911. They came took my blood sugar and it did not even register. They gave me glutous 15 (sp?) that was a short fix. The paramedics told me if I went to hospital they would just have me wait in waiting room so I should just see my Dr. in a.m.. I ate a baked potato and drank a lot of juice and soda because all i wanted to do was go to sleep. The next day I went to the Dr. (a fill in, mine is gone until 24th). He told me I had vertigo, I asked what about the low blood sugar, which was 80 in his office. His answer was - all women have this problem and that was that. I had an "episode" in his waiting room and another on Sat. and a small one last night. Is this something I sould be really worried about?
Brief Answer:
Another cause should be excluded.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
If hypoglycemia is confirmed by the paramedics in those moments than it should be evaluated further.
Yes, it is true that reactive hypoglicemia is a common finding at the females but usually it is at the levels of 50-80 mg/dl. Another serious problem should be excluded.
A low cortisol level causes low sugar levels and an insulinoma (especially if fasting hypoglicemia is detected) is the second to be excluded.
Checking cortisol at 8.00 a.m and the electrolites (Na,K, Mg, Ca) is suggested and you should talk to your treating physician about the diagnostic work up of the insulinoma.
Meanwhile you should eat often (every 2-3 hours) and do not eat food with high caloric index.
Hope i have been helpful.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta
Another cause should be excluded.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
If hypoglycemia is confirmed by the paramedics in those moments than it should be evaluated further.
Yes, it is true that reactive hypoglicemia is a common finding at the females but usually it is at the levels of 50-80 mg/dl. Another serious problem should be excluded.
A low cortisol level causes low sugar levels and an insulinoma (especially if fasting hypoglicemia is detected) is the second to be excluded.
Checking cortisol at 8.00 a.m and the electrolites (Na,K, Mg, Ca) is suggested and you should talk to your treating physician about the diagnostic work up of the insulinoma.
Meanwhile you should eat often (every 2-3 hours) and do not eat food with high caloric index.
Hope i have been helpful.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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