HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Sudden Episodes Of Fainting, Blurred Vision And Headaches?

I am a 21 yo NCAA cross country runner and within the past 2-3 years, I have been blanking out during races. I get blurry vision and headaches for about 15min after hard workouts/races and become very lethargic for the rest of the day even after eating and drinking water. The ATs thought it was hypoglycemia so I ve been eating carbohydrates before races and intense workouts (which never do anything and I still have the same symptoms). I ve been checking my sugar after races/workouts and it is around 200-250 mg/dL. Coaches also assumed my fatigue may have been from anemia. Ferritin level was 15 and I have been taking iron and vitamin C everyday for 3 months. My fasting glucose is usually around 105-120mg/dL. Is there a possibility I might have type 1 diabetes?
Tue, 7 Apr 2015
Report Abuse
Neurologist,  's  Response
Diabetes doesn't seem likely with those sugar numbers. When your symptoms come on do you feel LIGHTHEADED at all, faint, or otherwise zoned? Are you usually breaking a pretty good sweat when this all happens? Are you cutting weight for your running? Have they taken your orthostatic blood pressures? Have they measured your BP's orthostatically when you feel this way? Have you had blood work done, imaging study of the head, EKG, or a Holter monitor? I am a neurologist and I also compete as well as assistant coach a varsity NCAA wrestling team here in Cleveland, OH so I know a lot of these sorts of issues as related to our guys and every year at least 1 or 2 of them get into similar problems. Of course, wrestling is a different sport from track and weight losses play a major role in our sport that can get people in trouble if they're not careful. But across the board, hydration and cardiovascular issues seem to be the 2 most important other issues in exertional sports that get kids in trouble from a medical perspective.

You say you're anemic? And you're taking iron? But have they also checked magnesium levels? If you have a magnesium level deficiency and you are anemic...no matter how much iron you take you will never correct the anemia.....so little details like that keep people from getting better. Of course, a bigger question for me is WHY ARE YOU ANEMIC? You shouldn't be....you're an athlete, your diet should be top notch, your sleep habits should be top notch, and your training should be intensive but controlled and carefully overseen. You should hydrate FREQUENTLY DURING PRACTICE AND COMPETITION.

If you'd like I'd be happy to speak with you more 1-1 and help you organize things and make recommendations for you to get testing done to try and figure this out.

Write to me more specifically for information by answering the questions above that I've asked you at:

bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi and I will answer you quickly.

Don't forget to designate your question as that for SPECIALIST CATEGORY as I am a neurologist.

Cheers!

I find this answer helpful

1 Doctor agrees with this answer

Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Sudden Episodes Of Fainting, Blurred Vision And Headaches?

Diabetes doesn t seem likely with those sugar numbers. When your symptoms come on do you feel LIGHTHEADED at all, faint, or otherwise zoned? Are you usually breaking a pretty good sweat when this all happens? Are you cutting weight for your running? Have they taken your orthostatic blood pressures? Have they measured your BP s orthostatically when you feel this way? Have you had blood work done, imaging study of the head, EKG, or a Holter monitor? I am a neurologist and I also compete as well as assistant coach a varsity NCAA wrestling team here in Cleveland, OH so I know a lot of these sorts of issues as related to our guys and every year at least 1 or 2 of them get into similar problems. Of course, wrestling is a different sport from track and weight losses play a major role in our sport that can get people in trouble if they re not careful. But across the board, hydration and cardiovascular issues seem to be the 2 most important other issues in exertional sports that get kids in trouble from a medical perspective. You say you re anemic? And you re taking iron? But have they also checked magnesium levels? If you have a magnesium level deficiency and you are anemic...no matter how much iron you take you will never correct the anemia.....so little details like that keep people from getting better. Of course, a bigger question for me is WHY ARE YOU ANEMIC? You shouldn t be....you re an athlete, your diet should be top notch, your sleep habits should be top notch, and your training should be intensive but controlled and carefully overseen. You should hydrate FREQUENTLY DURING PRACTICE AND COMPETITION. If you d like I d be happy to speak with you more 1-1 and help you organize things and make recommendations for you to get testing done to try and figure this out. Write to me more specifically for information by answering the questions above that I ve asked you at: bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi and I will answer you quickly. Don t forget to designate your question as that for SPECIALIST CATEGORY as I am a neurologist. Cheers!