Ep:91 REACTIVE HYPOGLYCEMIA Is it low blood sugar or low sugar inside of your cells? - by R. Cywes 

12 months into a very low carb high fat diet I started akmost passing out 30 mins - 1 hour after a high protein lunch salad. My neighbour gave me a glucose monitor and my fasting sugars were 1.4 Australian measurement. Or near death. I added small amounts of starch at each meal and rectified it. It also cured the dreadful insomnia that lack of carbs caused. By almost passing out I mean dropping to the floor after my whole brain and body went into low gear and slow motion with my vision distorted and barely any control of my limbs. I'm lucky both times were in reach of the bottom of the fridge which had some pears sitting there. As I sucked a pear, I began to recover enough to get up. Really frightening as I live alone.

Astounding…. A voice of reason cries out: Don’t go to the doctor’s office expecting real help. Find the ones who truly honor their oath and training beyond what the university tells them. May the Creator of this universe give you grace. Bravo Doc!!! Thank you.

My favorite video EVER! No one has been able to tell me what was happening to me after DIVING into keto/ carnivore...coming from a CARB HEAVY diet....multiple cardiologists visits...hormone specialists...etc..etc...THIS is what's happening to me...Wow! Can't thank you enough Dr.

Oh my goodness! Have struggled with this for years, bad hypo symptoms but dismissed as my blood sugar readings are ‘not low enough to cause those symptoms’. And as I’m not diabetic they’re not interested. Thankyou so much for explaining what numerous doctors and consultants have failed to do. I’m eternally grateful.

I was 16 when i had a 6 hour glucose tolerance test. I lasted only 3 hours and was diagnosed as having reactive hypoglycemia. My father has it too. My symptoms started some years earlier after having antibiotics for streptococcus. I'm 49, mother of 5 and have tried many diets. The advice i got was to eat high protein snacks every 3 hours. As a teen in school that was hard to do. Being one of 6 kids, living in NC, USA, we couldn't afford a lot of meet. I soon realized that eggs made me nauseous, peanuts gave me gas, and i got tired of turkey. Moved to Germany after High School and continued my journey of looking for the right diet, while dealing with different health issues like Candida, skin problems, digestive issues. Age 25, after 2nd child, had gallbladder removed. I've tried fasting, vegan/vegetarian for many years. I have inflammation in elbows. Just recently i tried keto. I ended up eating a protein snack first and then some fruit. After 10 days i could wean off the fruit. The first day carnivore was absolutely amazing. I had energy, needed no nap, was mentally stable ( had burn out and depression the last few years). Although a storm was coming in, my blood pressure was also stable. Usually i would get panic attacks when a storm was coming. When the air pressure fell, my blood pressure would fall as well and i would be so tired. Eating meat has supplied the nutrients i needed. I take HCL and enzymes with each meal to digest it. Digestion was my problem. After antibiotics, my body did not make enough HCL. Candida had thrown everything off balance in the gut. The carnivore diet has helped me the most.

Now it makes sense I am reactive hypoglycaemia and started a low carb diet and been crashing loads, now I will do it gradually, so glad I watched this!!!

I was recently diagnosed with hypoglycemia. I am type 2 diabetic however what has worked for me to keep my blood sugar above normal range is taking two teaspoons of sea moss eating a little seaweed salad after each meal. No one is saying that diabetes and low blood sugar insulin resistant is a fiber and mineral deficiency. I promise you eating seaweed has high content minerals and fiber... It will raise your blood sugar and keep it at Bay and or sustained it 4 hours before your next meal eat a snack at midnight and add a teaspoon seaweed.. has worked my sugar levels balanced until the morning.

I suffered with this ailment for years and the diet given to me by doctors did nothing but exasperate the problem. I started eating keto, slowly, last October 2019. Since then I have had NO ill effects. Lost 35 pounds, and can now do what I call "light" fasting throughout the day. I feel GREAT! My husband has done this too and lost over 40 pounds. Oh, and my immunity levels are way high, no sickness, and oddly, my thinning hair grew back. Go figure. Eat Keto folks! Live longer, be healthy. The Food Pyramid is a lie.

''this is a life long change''...yes, start slow, get to know your body on keto, 7 months in, 35 pounds gone, that is 5 pounds a month, 5 pounds i don't gain back. and my body now maintain the loss like a new normal, not like a temporary thing.

You are always a wealth of information! I’ve had to listen to this one several times (one should not try to multitask when wanting important information to sink in!) Thank you for cutting to the chase and laying things on the line!

Thank you for this video!!! You just explained a problem I have suffered with for years. I didn't understand what was going on until now.. No one talks about this!

love the way you explain things, makes it so easy to understand

Absolutely makes sense! Explains why I feel the way I do

Great advice. After doing an alternating daily fasting to two weeks I experienced the symptoms of hypoglycemia. Based on your presentation, it probably means that I am having success but should just slow down and take a break. A break will allow time for my body to fully adjust to the lower glucose levels in the blood. Thank you. Cheers

Thanks, Dr. Cywes. This is the best explanation I’ve found on the hypoglycemia topic. I’m a lifelong hypoglycemic, per diagnosis in my early twenties, now approaching 62. I started keto 15 months ago and haven’t crashed once since, though prior to keto crashes had been increasingly frequent and seemingly unpredictable. I always knew I felt better with protein and avoiding sugar, but until I removed starchy foods I got fatter and more miserable. Weight loss is slow, but I’m down 25 pounds and still dropping. About 3 months ago I transitioned to mostly carnivore and feel better than I have in years. Most recently my fasting insulin was 5. All my labs are great except ldl is through the roof, and of course my doctor is pushing statins. My hdl and triglycerides are both improved and well within optimal range. I’m thankful for this way of eating and no longer living with a constant fear of hunger. I’m so glad I found your channel and I look forward to learning more in your future videos.

I had this happen when "treating" myself with some sugar free chocolate a month into keto-vore. My blood sugar has been around 120 after a meal and then one night I had some sugar free peppermint bark and ended up in a clammy sweat, clutching a bucket, feeling like my life force was being drained. I tested my glucose and was at a 76. My body is so used to me binging on sugar that the moment I had something sweet it dumped way too much insulin and I crashed HARD. It all makes sense now!

Intermittent fasting slowly changed my hunger pings and I have been able to lose 25 lbs in 8 weeks on Carnivore! I do not have diabetes, my doctor said no not YET! Thank you for your ongoing wisdom and explanation! Know your body! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

I find your vids very interesting. I work in the UK, NHS, so do pass this on to my colleagues.

You explain things so well!!This has been my life. My TRYGS where always high from a young age but always pass my fasting glucose test but I had chronic fatigue and fibro from my early 20s and just deeper and deeper spiralling issues. Never knowing the sugar/carbs are staying in my blood stream and my cells are/were starving. Insulin resistance is killing us all. AND it is mind blowingly simple to stop. Heart breaking looking at people everywhere oblivious to their own destiny. But I also find it frustrating people don't want to hear it. As soon as you say keto...no sugar..people think I am a nutter and missing out on living. (their junk toxic life) The world is messed up 😞

Excellent video! Thank you so much!

Thank you for explaining this. ❤

Since my 20s I often experienced hypoglycemia without diabetes. Without the support of doctors I learned I needed to add protein and fat to my meals, especially breakfast. And now at the age of 62 as my blood glucose rises I learn of this condition called Insulin Resistance and that I probably have had it and Reactive Hypoglyemia for nearly for 40 years. For the last 6 weeks I've been low carb, 16-18 hr fasting , lowering my BG , raising my ketones . After ending my first extended fast of 40hrs today, I achieved a fasting glucose of 77 and ketones 3.5. I was elated into thinking I've reversed the IR, but within an hour of my first all protein/fat meal, I experienced that all familiar hypoglycemic emptiness. As a result of listening to you Dr. C, I realize IR will prevent adequate blood glucose from entering my cells. The message is to stay the course. It'll take more than 6 weeks to unwind 40 years. I just pray it won't take 40 years.

Never been more glad, to have watched a video till the end ;-) I bet, a lot of people will have major epiphanies, watching this.

This was the best explanation. Thank you!

Dr. Cywes is a BEAST love this channel!

Thank you Doc. I think I had this issue for years.

Brilliant and well explained and super useful!

This helped so much. I went from high carb no fat to carnivore high fat a month ago. My resting blood sugar is normal. In the 80-90 range, but It will drop down to 63 after a meal. It was confusing the hell out of me. Thank you.

Interesting and educational too, thanks.

One thing Dr. Cywes didn't mention, that may not be obvious to all viewers, is when you get reactive hypoglycemia you will get a strong craving for refined carbohydrates so it can be a vicious cycle.

I was recently diagnosed as pre-diabetic and was recommended to treat with dietary changes. For 2-3 weeks I reduced refined sugar and excess carbs. I focused on good carbs (wheat bread, brown rice...) and protein with veggies. I recently had what appears to be a hypoglycemic response in the middle of the night.

Love. (Thank you for the end).

Thank you Dr Cywes for this very important information

Thank you for this video!

Excellent! and very useful....

I was starting way too fast going down from carbs and after three weeks the crashes and roller coaster spikes and lows became absolutely unbearable. So thanks for the tip to take it slow. I brought some dark organic bread back into my diet and at first will continue to keep white wheat and industry sugar out for a while, before also reducing all other dark whole grain baked products. Then I reduce white rice, then fruits and potatoes will be last.

Excellent! Thank you!

I first experienced hypoglycemia while working as a nurse in the hospital. I ate my usual breakfast of cold cereal with milk. About 2 hours later I noticed my hands were shaking and I could not write legibly. I wish I knew then what I know now. Thanks for what you do Dr. Cywes!

Ive had reactive hypoglycemia since birth. Im now 50 and the keto diet has changed my live.

This makes so much sense. I haven't been on keto very long. Not even a week. I was wondering why I still am feeling that "carb crash" type of feeling after eating only fat and protein, and now I see that my cells aren't allowing insulin in. I know about "keto flu" and that it makes you feel fatigued, but I didn't completely understand why--and now I do. Thank you!

Thanks Doc.. The voice of reason which explains the true cause of reactive hypoglycemia.

This was a great video,, i needed this intracellular hypoglycemia!! wow

I was looking and searching for an explanation on this and could never find it. Now randomly RU-vid puts it on my feed. Anyway thanks for the info

Thank you Dr, finally!

This is the most helpful information I’ve found so far, on reactive hypoglycaemia. It, along with POTS are destroying my quality of life, but this gives me hope.

I watched till the end😊

Great info.

3.3 on my CGM is low. Finally an answer as to what in the world is going on. I'm not on meds, active and whenever I try keto or carnivore my BG crashes then I get scared and drink juice and half sugar cube to bring it up. It's like a vicious cycle. Start slowly with frequency and qty. Thanks so much Doc!!!

Thank you!

You rock doc

Thank Gosh for Dr Cwyes! My BS since going Carnivorne from keto , have gone from 86--93 To 58-63( Morning reading) on Carnivore Keto mojo alarms but I feel GREAT!

It's all about carbs withdrawals under extreme conditions such as corrective surgery and other mitigations,,, variations,, glucose response and reactions.

Amazing!

Thanks doc I always appreciate your knowledge and insight. Type two for 23 years and boy oh boy have I had my share of scary lows over the years. I was on insulin for the last four years and oh what a wild ride that was. Up and down went the blood sugars, that is until I discovered the ketogenic diet 6 months ago. Two months in I became fat adapted and had to start weaning off the 170 units of long and short acting insulin because the lows were dipping into the 30’s. I’ve now been off all insulin for the past four months and it is such a relief to not be on the blood sugar roller coaster any longer. I’m still working on reversing the type two and making slow but steady progress. I’m finding that a ketovore way of eating is working best for me at this point. I also do intermittent fasting and extended fasts as well. Grateful every day that I finally after years of searching I have found the answer to riding myself of this disease. Thank you so much for all you share here on your channel. ❤️🥰❤️

Dr. C. I love your common sense approach. I am so glad to have found keto and carnivore and so glad to have you, Dr. Berry, Dr. Westman. My father had severe diabetes and heart disease. I am convinced it was caused by his diet. He was a first generation Greek who came to America and began eating the standard American diet after he got back from WWII. He died at 59. I still miss him. If only Drs. were taught this in med school and taught it to their patients. My Dad, and would have lived a lot longer and my Mom wouldn't have spent her last couple of years on this earth at sea in her dementia.

Thank you for the gems. They are a girls best friend. 😘

Excellent. Thank you Dr Cywes! Subscribed. EDIT: {Gotta stay for the Gems} 😉⁂

I tried keto for 5 weeks but felt so hypo that at the end I couldn't get up anymore. I think you're right, starting slowly might be the way. I've had reactive hypoglycemia since I was 8 years old.

I've been on this LC journey for 2 1/2 years and I've been tracking down source's of insulin resistance in my body. One was not easily identified, Low Testosterone. Once I started TRT, I brought my HbA1c down to 5.5

I have listen to this video a few times. For years I have had this problem but no one could tell me what it was. I thank you so much for explaining I have had problemmfor years felt awful and when I would go on a low calorie diet it would trigger the problem but I never had an answer. How I know what it is and what to do. Thank you.

I am 69 and have been in ketosis for 6 months. Blood glucose started out at 140 and is now averaging 107 after fasting for 16hours but glucose reads about the same all day, ketones avg 1.0. I have lost 15lbs over the 6 months. Feel great, but think I will move to carnivore (although I love broccoli cooked in butter :) looking forward to get up in the morning and seeing my glucose below 90. Feel like I did in my 30s

However, don't wallow in the "swampy center" longer than necessary.

I just finished a strict Keo diet for 3 months. Lost weight, got fit again, etc. I celebrated today with just a LITTLE chocolate. 15 grams of sugar, after no dugar for months. Just had a damn INSULIN attack, I could feel coming on,it wasn't major, but I felt it. This sucks. I'm not diabetic at all, have no signs of it. My body does NOT like sugar. So I'm guessing I'm cursed with this no matter what. I can never enjoy sugar again it seems. No matter how much I reverse insulin resistance.

I love you brother!!

Been on keto lifestyle for 2 months. My body is finally accepting fat as a source of fuel and I’m starting to feel the incredible difference in stable energy. Any tricks on consuming more folate and potassium. I’m tracking all my intake on cronometer and even with a cup of spinach and kale, I can’t seem to optimize my intake. ? You were the factor why I started keto and I thank you.

Thank you Dr Cywes...are you aware of any connection between carb/sugar consumption or diet in general and peripheral nephropathy?

Guys, get yourself a freestyle 3 sensor and u will know right the way! I get hypoglycemia multiple times per day and night!

Please watch entire video, valuable life saving information 🙏😇❤️

I had no choice. I was smacked out of nowhere by ketoacidosis and had no idea what was happening. I couldn't eat a carb if I wanted to at the time. Had no choice but to stop carbs and I even started fasting because I was afraid to eat anything. RU-vid channels like this one saved me big time.

Hi Dr I noticed maltodextrin is what makes me have hypoglycemia. I had gastric bypass about 3 years ago. Do you know anything about this. I’m not a researcher but I am a nurse and I tracked the ingredients in my food and noticed it was when I had foods containing maltodextrin.

Thankyou I think I have this how long will it take to get rid of and does this contribute to lifestyle or pre diabetes? Also does that mean I’ll have to be on a keto diet for along time? I don’t eat red meat so I’m not a massive meat eater as it is so this might be hard for me trying to get my protein up and get rid of these symptoms 🙄

What if one is skinny and had a stint installed they put him on a statin what diet do you eat to keep weight on if your veins are 40% plugged?

The keto mojo is great for ketones but it’s way way off for sugar levels. It reads 30-50 points too high and this is at fasting levels. The freestyle precision neo is what I use and it’s much much closer to actual levels (I take all my meters with me and check them against arm draw results)

Im so glad i watched dr eric, this doctor and other different sources. I had reactive hypo, because i used anti psychtoics and antidepressends. Some of these medicines raises the bloodsugar. Within 6 days of keto and IF i was on 1 keto meal a day. But i aid some pure chocolade an hour later, because i thought i needed some sugar. The other thing was i took my medications with the meal. This al together raised my bloodsugar to quick and to fast en for to long insuline was released, which gave me to long low bloodsugar, with all the symptoms of a hypo. Then i took some proteïn and some water. The last one did the trick. At least i think. The water thinnes the bloodsugar and after an hour i was almost back to normal. Maybe the protein helped too. So try take a few glasses of water if you think you have a reactive hypo and avoid sugars in the beginning. If you really have a hypo, then sugar will help. Of course, consult with your doctor first

Hi Dr Cywes, how can a MIDD diabetes person be treated other than using medication?

When I do activities such as drawing, coding or one that I need to think a lot, Reactive Hypoglycemia 'activates' and I start cold sweat, trembling and much hunger (or hungry )

Sugar addict all my life. 50lbs overweight. Recently did some low carb/keo with IF and whenever I eat carbs now I get RH. Is this due to me being more sensitive to insulin now? My A1c was only 5.1 but I can't eat carbs anymore so am back doing keto. How long until my insulin levels drop down enough to allow me to eat some carbs without a reaction?

I get crashes from carb heavy meals or alcohol. Usually in the middle of the night. I went into a keto diet overnight and the crashes stopped. C-peptide 1.8, insulin 3, A1C 5.2. Cholesterol hasn't been done in a year but I know my triglycerides were low and total cholesterol was good though LDL and HDL was elevated. I'm on a cgm because the crashes were so bad. Im nursing twins and sleep is hard to come by so my eating habits were pretty bad. I want to be able to have my sushi or burrito days or alcohol on occasion which I know goes against what you teach. In the past on keto and carnivore I was always able to bounce back and forth easily and have those high carb days and then get back into ketosis the next day. Is there a way to regain metabolic flexibility? Is the nursing and lack of sleep likely the culprit? I can't seem to find answers anywhere. My primary care wants me on 100 carbs a day spread evenly through five meals and that just isn't going to work for me.

So... how do you get your blocked cells to start taking the glucose that insulin provides???

You missed the gems - that’s awesome!! 🤣🤣🤣

Went to a low carb diet to experience it. As we seem to be hearing in this clip, I got low blood sugar with symptoms of mental fog. It went down to 3.6 mmol/L, but as our posting Dr says, that is only what we can easily measure and does not show what the situation is in our cells. I quickly corrected it with some orange juice, and went back to the drawing board. After contemplation, I tried just no sugar, but kept the carbs. That helped the overall situation indeed. Tinea disappeared for example. Fungi like sugar? Now I plan to reduce carbs - slowly.

How can I find a doctor like you in my area. ... I’m hypothyroid and HRT. at a fit weight. Jus needing help finding the truth about my health ... other than synthroid and HRT. thank YOU

I wish I knew this 5 years ago

About 50 or so years ago, hypoglycemia was the current self-diagnosed fad ailment everyone was sure they had. It came and went like flavor of the month. Oddly, the remedy was protein, not carbs. I think half my friends always carried nuts and cheese in their purses to save themselves in case of emergency. Your explanation and suggestions make sense.

So i have been keto/ carnivore for two years. Today i took my glucos teo hours after eating three eggs with butter. it was 65. You are saying that this might be fine? I had no hypoglycemic symptoms at all. i had lots of energy and felt great.

Wow, blow me away... 👍👍👍👍👍 Yes Doc, you confirmed what I suspected happened to me sometimes - blood glucose shows slightly elevated on my CGM & yet felt horrible. Then again I cannot know for sure as I am also subjected to Low BP attacks when away from my BP meter. And yes, you are very right about phasing slowly into a new diet & lifestyle. I am currently OMAD & Low Carb. However due to recent heart-bypass about 2 yrs ago & CKD stage 3 with proteinuria, I am limiting on fats & protein too. However I am eating more good Fats like Omega from Animal & Avocado & EVOO. Protein from eggs & sometime beef steak. My only weak-spot is all kind of Nuts😅. Yes, aware of saying that protein do not harm the kidney but feel terrible everytime seeing foamy urine. I need some advise b/c wanted to bring my OMAD to the next level gradually, 30/36/42/48/54/60/66/72 to maximise Autophagy once a Qtr. Purpose is to reverse multiple diabetic complications: 1. Retinopathy 2. Neuropathy 3. Nephropathy ... other lesser damages too... I have to stop the last time I tried due to Low blood below 3.9 mmol. Would getting a Keto Breath Meter help to confirm for me that there is enough ketone to support proper function & my body would not suffer an abrupt shutdown. Not sure if my understanding is right regarding high enough Ketone would compensate low blood sugar effect & damage to the body. For those kind soul who are experienced in this pls point me to the right direction. TIA!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

So how long does it take these issues to resolve usually? I'm experiencing them right now.

I wish I had understood this 20 years ago

I sure needed this. My boyfriend swears he has hypoglycemia but has never been checked and never diagnosed. What can I tell him so he can either stop it or deal with it? He eats a lot of junk~ First thing in the morning....a bowl of cereal~

I go from 6.5 to 4.2 in 20 min. But it doesn’t ever go lower than 4.2. Can Candida also cause this?

Hi Dr. I have been doing lazy keto now for over three weeks and I’ve also been on an antidepressant and benzodiazepine for my mental illness. Because I haven’t been getting enough carbs could eating keto affect my seratonin levels? I haven’t been myself lately and I’m considering going off keto.

Hi Dr Cywes, Is it still reactive hypoglycemia when about an hour after eating a low carb or keto meal, I just want to pass out and sleep, my blood glucose has not spiked high, and is the same result for me - between 4-6mmol/l?

This was helpful. The other day, I had waffles. At lunch I had some leftover ham. Just ham - no carbs or anything. Couple hours later my blood sugar was 60. I guess this is reactive hypoglycemia, but I dunno. I have a tumor on each of my adrenals, so I think I'll ask the endo about it to be safe since I know now tumors can make hormones. I figure if I got tumors on my adrenals, why not the pancreas as well.

Dr Cywes, is the concentration of sugar why high fructose corn syrup is so bad for you?

I have listened several times... I followed along with the transcript too. Now I know the problem. But I do NOT understand how to fix it. I've been keto/ low carb for 3 years. I lost 90 lbs my first 2 years. I've maintained for the past year. But now I've been stuck... here. Im wearing cgm. If I have Any carbs at supper the low alarm wakes me out of sleep! What can I do. All my muscles ache. Please help?

Ha! Best ending ever at the very end!!!

I've suffered with an anxiety disorder and agoraphobia for 25 years now. I managed to beat both but had a relapse about three years ago when they both came back. At the time I was over 300 lbs and I've been slowly working on dropping my weight down to 200lbs. I've only just recently been guessing that a lot of my anxiety is due to low blood sugar and I'm in the processes of testing this theory out through diet and a glucose monitor. Although when my blood sugar drops the numbers aren't in the range that would put it at a low level, my body seems to over react and pumps out the adrenaline and cortisol causing anxiety. During this episode if I eat something usually within half and hour my anxiety just slows to a trickle and just stops. I'm not diabetic and I'm not showing signs of prediabetes but for some reason my body is sensitive to blood sugar drops. I'm hoping that by getting away from the SAD diet now in my 40's I won't have to worry about becoming insulin resistant down the road.

Last spring I did strict Keto (20 grams) for six months. I felt great and lost 20 pounds but my lower legs were bright red, swollen, and tender. I also started sweating more. It wasn't a problem until the hot San Antonio summer months when I was burning up every day. Do you have any videos on possible adverse symptoms of keto?

Thank you Dr. Cywes, I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia 20 years ago, but if it’s insulin resistance we should be concerned about why don’t they make a home testing monitor for it instead of ketone and glucose? Also what do you consider the range for too low?

I just got a CGM and am having regular crashes at night while sleeping with pretty stable (high) readings during the day. Carnivore for one year and still have sugar readings in the 100-115 range during the day. Crashes are below 55 which sets off the alarm and wakes me up (not good for sleep!). Any suggestions to avoid these night crashes?