Is there a connection between GERD and Hypoglycemia?

[sgraves]

Three years ago I was diagnosed with reactive hypoglycemia. Since then, I've developed a severe case of GERD. It is persistant, everyday, all day long. I wont be seeing a specialist for some time but my family physician told me that the gastro specialist will investigate the cause of my hypoglycemia as well. I was just wondering if there is a connection here?

[emotions327]

hey i have found that there is a strong connection between GERD and hypoglycemia. However its not because of GERD itself, GERD can create a conditon known as Gastric dumping syndrome this happens when u eat food it only sits in your stomach for a very short amount of time. everything in the food it not used, ur body just quickly dumps it into your intestines. Because your body gets rid of the food so fast u get symptoms of hypoglycemia and have to eat a lot more often. ive been told to have something at least evey 3-4 hours any longer i get the shakes and stuff. but if i eat something with a lot of sugar i get bad too with the same symptoms my body cant handle it so id get checked for gastic dumping syndrome

[sgraves]

These symptoms are caused by hypoglycemia  :)

[sgraves]

What is reactive hypoglycemia? For the past year I get these episodes on and off were all the sudden I will get really weak and shakey feeling although you can not physically see me shake and I will get warm and sort of lightheaded, it usually will go away after I eat something and lay down. I went to the Dr. and she did a fasting blood test which was apparently normal. I still am convinced its my blood sugar though... Any thoughts??


Reactive hypoglycemia, simply put, is low blood sugar. The symptoms you are describing are typical of hypoglycemia, especially if they disappear when you eat. I too had blood tests, all that came back with a normal result. I then saw an endocrine specialist and she sent me for a six hour glucose tolerance test. This test involved drinking an orange liquid high in glucose and then testing my blood every half hour for six hours. The results showed a significant drop in my blood sugar during the third hour of the test, and thus, the diagnosis of hypoglycemia.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

Fatigue
General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
Nervousness
Irritability, or even aggression
Trembling
Headache
Hunger
Cold sweats
Rapid heart rate
Blurry or double vision
Confusion
Convulsions
Coma

Ironically, low blood sugar is usually caused by too much sugar and/or carbohydrate in your diet. Treatment involves reducing or eliminating the amount of sugar in your diet and eating small, frequent meals and snacks. Typically, you should be eating something every 2 hours; a piece of cheese or a few crackers or a handful of peanuts...anything that will keep your blood sugar stable.

[Blondee]

What is reactive hypoglycemia? For the past year I get these episodes on and off were all the sudden I will get really weak and shakey feeling although you can not physically see me shake and I will get warm and sort of lightheaded, it usually will go away after I eat something and lay down. I went to the Dr. and she did a fasting blood test which was apparently normal. I still am convinced its my blood sugar though... Any thoughts??

[Abbey]

Is the weakness and shakes caused from the GERD or hypoglycemia?

Just curious, have been experiencing the same thing. Thank you.

[sgraves]

If I stay away from all sugar and simple carbohydrate my symptoms disappear. The worst symptoms for me are weakness, the "shakes" and dizziness.

[Genevamom]

I have hypoglycemia too without Gerd, but maybe others do experience this too.  As long as I don't eat any sugar, I don't have the hypoglycemia. How about you??