Re: RE: Running out of options for hypoglycemia
Nettle leaf does sound like a good idea for dealing with my chronic and reactive hypoglycemia.
I am concerned about the opening up of the insulin receptors however. Even though my receptors are being opened gradually with the chromium, I don't think my body (or anyone's body) will recognize this instantly, so open insulin receptors with the same high amount of insulin will lead to really low blood sugar, which doesn't feel good at all. I suppose the whole thing can be done gradually, like you implied, to make the process tolerable.
Nettle leaf is not as high in chromium as say chromium supplements. So it is not going to be a strong immediate reaction. And as the nettle leaf increases adrenal function the adrenals will respond to the drop in blood sugar by releasing cortisol. This in turn will release glycogen stores in the liver increasing blood glucose. So the nettle leaf is not going to cause sudden or severe hypoglycemic reactions.
I have an idea that might make it easier for hypoglycemics to go through this process. Apparently there is something in avocados called "mannoheptulose" that some sources say inhibits insulin production and secretion. This will lead to higher levels of blood sugar. What if you eat a lot of avocados while you're taking things, like nettle, that open up the insulin receptors that way you won't have heightened insulin levels while you're becoming more insulin sensitive, thereby avoiding the even lower blood sugar episodes that might otherwise occur?
Again it is not needed since the opening of the insulin receptors is going to be gradual. And the fiber and protein in the nettle leaf will also help with blood sugar stabilization.
In addition, avocados are high in fat and can increase weight. Increased body fat can increase insulin resistance defeating the purpose of the chromium in the nettle.
I am wondering about a few things though. If mannoheptulose really has those effects of limiting insulin and you're taking it regularly in increased amounts, will it cause a huge insulin surge if you stop taking it suddenly, or even gradually, since your blood sugar was higher during this period?
Most likely, especially if the effect is temporary.
Can your body (pancreas?) recognize and adjust to the lowered need for insulin if you have more open insulin receptors while you have been suppressing insulin production with mannoheptulose?
The pancreas does respond directly to glucose levels and adjusts insulin output accordingly if everything is working properly.
On a side note, I read on someone's blog that having less insulin will cause you to feel more hungry since you're getting less nutrition into the cells.
I disagree. Take for example people who fast for lengths of time. The body is getting less energy and yet these people say that the hunger does not persist for very long. This can be from the hormone leptin that also has appetite suppressing effects on the brain in the same manner as insulin.
They mentioned that your body will produce more insulin receptors in as little as four days in response.
Again I disagree. If this were the case then type 2 diabetics would just produce new receptors in place of the closed receptors and their diabetes would be cured in 4 days. But this is not reality.
If the body is capable of doing that so quickly, it makes me think that correcting the situation isn't as easy as opening up new insulin receptors. What is going on in the body that leads to this happening and what can be done to prevent it from recurring?
See comments above.
Also, I have been having episodes of tachycardia for the past few weeks, and in the past few days it has increased in frequency. Right now I've had an ongoing episode of tachycardia for around 48 hours now. It is the longest I've had it. My heart is beating around 90-100 bpm when I'm sedentary, where normally it is in the 60s, and when I get up and walk around it goes up to 115+. In another response to this hypoglycemia post, someone suggested iodine and I also got a message with someone suggesting the thyroid as the culprit, or at least a factor, which is possible since I had some symptoms of thyroid problems when I was first getting really sick in 2007/2008. I had dry skin, fatigue, low body temperature, and a few other things at that time. The low body temp and dry skin have since cleared up.
Low body temperature indicates hypothyroidism, and hypothyroidism also leads to a slower pulse rate. Tachycardia is a symptom of hyperthyroidism, but you would also have other symptoms such diarrhea and severe weight loss.
It is hard to say what is likely causing the tachycardia without having more information such as blood pressure when this happens and if the pulse is regular or irregular.
I am convinced that the adrenals play a role in my problems with hypoglycemia; is it possible that my thyroid plays a role in it as well, along with this heart issue? If so, what are your suggestions?
i have never seen a direct connection between thyroid function and blood sugar levels, and as I mentioned above I seriously doubt that your thyroid is responsible for your tachycardia. But again without more information it is hard to say what the cause may be.