In hypoglycemics, insulin cutoff is either inadequate, release excessive or action insufficiently terminated by counter hormones. The standard for diagnosis has been the five-hour glucose tolerance test. Such tests were done in 1994 by Genter and Ipp on a group of young, healthy people who had no symptoms of hypoglycemia.1 Samples were taken every ten minutes to measure the timing and amount of various hormones that normally prevent an excessive drop in blood sugar by counteracting insulin. Each reacted at different glucose levels considered normal. They consist of fatigue, irritability, nervousness, depression, insomnia, flushing, impaired memory and concentration.
Anxieties are common as are frontal or bitemporal headaches, dizziness, faintness or actual syncope.
There are often blurring of vision, nasal congestion, ringing in the ears, numbness and tingling of the hands, feet or face. Excessive gas, abdominal cramps, loose stools or diarrhea are frequent. Many complain of leg or foot cramps. These are the chronic symptoms of the condition and are experienced even in the presence of a normal blood sugar. The acute symptoms are frightening and occur at very variable sugar levels usually three or four hours after eating.