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=== What Does It Mean? ===
== What Does It Mean? ==


* Hypoglycemia is a condition in which blood sugar (glucose) levels drop below normal, leading to symptoms that may interfere with normal bodily functions.
* Hypoglycemia is a condition in which blood sugar (glucose) levels drop below normal, leading to symptoms that may interfere with normal bodily functions.
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* Functional medicine addresses the root causes of hypoglycemia, including hormonal imbalances, dietary insufficiencies, and metabolic dysfunctions.
* Functional medicine addresses the root causes of hypoglycemia, including hormonal imbalances, dietary insufficiencies, and metabolic dysfunctions.


=== How Did We Get Here? ===
== How Did We Get Here? ==
Root Causes & Contributing Factors:
 
=== Root Causes & Contributing Factors: ===


* Excessive Insulin Production: Reactive hypoglycemia due to an exaggerated insulin response after meals.
* Excessive Insulin Production: Reactive hypoglycemia due to an exaggerated insulin response after meals.
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* Metabolic Disorders: Underlying conditions such as insulin resistance or mitochondrial dysfunction.
* Metabolic Disorders: Underlying conditions such as insulin resistance or mitochondrial dysfunction.


Signs & Symptoms:
=== Signs & Symptoms: ===


* Shakiness, dizziness, and sweating.
* Shakiness, dizziness, and sweating.
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The following lab tests help evaluate hypoglycemia and its underlying causes:
The following lab tests help evaluate hypoglycemia and its underlying causes:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|Lab Test Name
|'''Lab Test Name'''
|Expected Changes
|'''Expected Changes'''
|Optimal Range
|'''Optimal Range'''
|-
|-
|ALT (SGPT)
|ALT (SGPT)
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|}
|}


=== How Do We Treat It? ===
== How Do We Treat It? ==
Treatment focuses on stabilizing blood sugar levels and improving metabolic function. A well-structured nutrition plan with balanced macronutrients, customized at the provider’s discretion, is the most effective approach.
Treatment focuses on stabilizing blood sugar levels and improving metabolic function. A well-structured nutrition plan with balanced macronutrients, customized at the provider’s discretion, is the most effective approach.


==== Additional Lifestyle Interventions: ====
=== Additional Lifestyle Interventions: ===


* Balanced Meal Composition: Include complex carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats in every meal.
* Balanced Meal Composition: Include complex carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats in every meal.
* Frequent Meals: Eating small, balanced meals throughout the day to maintain stable blood sugar.
* Frequent Meals: Eating small, balanced meals throughout the day to maintain stable blood sugar.
* Adrenal Support: Adaptogenic herbs and stress management techniques to support cortisol balance.
* Adrenal Support: Adaptogenic herbs and stress management techniques to support cortisol balance.
 
* Limit Refined Carbohydrates: Avoid high-glycemic foods that cause rapid blood sugar spikes and crashes.
Limit Refined Carbohydrates: Avoid high-glycemic foods that cause rapid blood sugar spikes and crashes.

Latest revision as of 02:47, 8 May 2025

What Does It Mean?

  • Hypoglycemia is a condition in which blood sugar (glucose) levels drop below normal, leading to symptoms that may interfere with normal bodily functions.
  • This can occur due to excessive insulin production, prolonged fasting, excessive physical activity, or underlying metabolic disorders.
  • Functional medicine addresses the root causes of hypoglycemia, including hormonal imbalances, dietary insufficiencies, and metabolic dysfunctions.

How Did We Get Here?

Root Causes & Contributing Factors:

  • Excessive Insulin Production: Reactive hypoglycemia due to an exaggerated insulin response after meals.
  • Poor Dietary Intake: Insufficient carbohydrate consumption or imbalanced macronutrient intake.
  • Adrenal Dysfunction: Cortisol imbalances may affect glucose regulation.
  • Excessive Physical Activity: Increased glucose utilization without adequate replenishment.
  • Metabolic Disorders: Underlying conditions such as insulin resistance or mitochondrial dysfunction.

Signs & Symptoms:

  • Shakiness, dizziness, and sweating.
  • Confusion, irritability, or difficulty concentrating.
  • Sudden hunger or weakness.
  • Rapid heartbeat and anxiety.
  • Severe cases can lead to seizures or loss of consciousness.

Lab Test Findings

The following lab tests help evaluate hypoglycemia and its underlying causes:

Lab Test Name Expected Changes Optimal Range
ALT (SGPT) Altered 10.00-26.00 U/L
C-Peptide Altered 1.10-2.10 ng/mL
Glucose, Serum Decreased 75.00-86.00 mg/dL
Hemoglobin A1C Decreased 4.60-5.30 %
HOMA2-IR Altered 0.75-1.25 index
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Altered 140.00-200.00 U/L

How Do We Treat It?

Treatment focuses on stabilizing blood sugar levels and improving metabolic function. A well-structured nutrition plan with balanced macronutrients, customized at the provider’s discretion, is the most effective approach.

Additional Lifestyle Interventions:

  • Balanced Meal Composition: Include complex carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats in every meal.
  • Frequent Meals: Eating small, balanced meals throughout the day to maintain stable blood sugar.
  • Adrenal Support: Adaptogenic herbs and stress management techniques to support cortisol balance.
  • Limit Refined Carbohydrates: Avoid high-glycemic foods that cause rapid blood sugar spikes and crashes.