![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by janejane on January 12, 2010, at 9:25:31
Hi everyone.
I know that hypoglycemia can cause depression and anxiety in some people and am wondering what experiences people might have with this. I don't think it's the total cause of my depression, but think it may be contributing to it and possibly making it worse. I always wake up hungry and irritable and with ruminating thoughts and usually feel a little better (not totally) after I have a good breakfast. I also get really cranky if I don't eat every few hours.
Is it worthwhile getting tested for this? The test itself sounds like it would be very unpleasant. I have already cut down on sugar compared to what I used to eat, but I thought maybe I would try a hypoglycemic diet, though I think it would require a lot of willpower, which I'm not sure I have right now. I read it can take a few months to work, too. Is that true?
Do SSRIs and other ADs work if depression is caused by hypoglycemia?
Posted by Phillipa on January 12, 2010, at 11:00:47
In reply to Depression caused by hypoglycemia?, posted by janejane on January 12, 2010, at 9:25:31
Jane I think there are different type tests for hypoglycemia. Used to be a five hour glucose tolerance test. Drink a very sweet liquid and blood drawn hourly for three to five hours. Then the doc checks results. By now there may be new ones I'm not aware of. Protein every four hours is good for stabalizing blood sugar and keeping it stable. Others may know of newer testing. I too eat sugar at night didn't used to as had hypoglycemia when younger. Phillipa
Posted by inanimate peanut on January 12, 2010, at 20:25:49
In reply to Re: Depression caused by hypoglycemia? » janejane, posted by Phillipa on January 12, 2010, at 11:00:47
A lot of people have hypoglycemia at one point or another that may not show up on the fasting blood glucose test. It may be affected by stress, amount of sleep, etc. so that you only have it at certain times. I'm hypoglycemic at least part of the time and it definitely has an impact on my mood. I get very down and then feel better once I've eaten something to pull my blood sugar back up. The hypoglycemic diet is probably a good idea if you can make yourself do it. I just try to make sure I have small meals every 3-4 hours (I haven't done well lately).
Posted by Phillipa on January 12, 2010, at 22:06:33
In reply to Re: Depression caused by hypoglycemia?, posted by inanimate peanut on January 12, 2010, at 20:25:49
For six years now I've seriously had no taste and smell so no enjoyment in food the only is lindtt chocolate truffles and ain't giving them up. Specialists and no reason a virus don't buy it. Any suggestions it's so horrible. Love Phillipa
Posted by inanimate peanut on January 13, 2010, at 15:13:39
In reply to Re: Depression caused by hypoglycemia? » inanimate peanut, posted by Phillipa on January 12, 2010, at 22:06:33
I have no idea... sorry
Posted by bleauberry on January 15, 2010, at 18:28:04
In reply to Depression caused by hypoglycemia?, posted by janejane on January 12, 2010, at 9:25:31
This is very easy to test yourself. You'll have to spend a little money at WalMart to get a glucose meter and the thingies to prick yourself with for drops of blood.
I've done that before. It doesn't hurt hardly at all. Very easy to do. You can test yourself whenever you want, keep a log, make a chart, and see what's going on, so as to rule it in or rule it out. Test before a meal, after a meal, between meals, wake-up time, bedtime...see what's going on.
I did that for a few weeks when I thought for sure I had some blood sugar things going on. That entire two weeks I recall having one spike reading that suprised me, quite random and didn't repeat, but other than that it all was well within normal. But at least I knew for sure. Without doing those tests, I wouldn't know and would still be wondering.
No matter what the disease happens to be in a discussion, a common base strategy is to eat 5 smaller meals per day rather than 3 big ones, eating something about every 2 hours, and to keep sugar intake to a minimum. Every meal needs a balance of protein and carbs with veggies and fruits. Even without any particular diagnosis or suspicion of disease, this is a good strategy for health preservation anyway.
Whether it be hypoglycemia or any number of other things going on, they do lessen the efficacy of any psych meds we take.
Posted by janejane on January 15, 2010, at 19:15:27
In reply to Re: Depression caused by hypoglycemia?, posted by bleauberry on January 15, 2010, at 18:28:04
Thanks, Bleauberry. It never occurred to me to get a glucose monitor. What a great idea.
As for your other suggestions, I've always been a grazer and usually eat throughout the day. I also try to eat protein as often as possible, though sometimes it's hard to do when all I really want is a piece of fruit or something. I think I may try taking chromium before bed to see whether that helps with morning hunger/irritability.
I found out that rhodiola can cause hypoglycemia, so maybe that's why it seems worse lately. I also just learned that garlic can too, so I guess I won't be trying that soon, after all. After reading your other post about the odor it causes, I got less excited about it, anyway. And I guess turmeric is hypoglycemic as well. Bummer.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.