A drop in blood glucose levels results in the release of hormones, which increase blood sugar levels, i.e. adrenaline, glucagon, cortisol and growth hormone. It appears that only adrenaline produces the physical symptoms of hypoglycemia -sweating, tremors, increased heart rate, anxiety, and hunger. If the onset of hypoglycemia is sudden, these symptoms predominate. If, however, the onset is gradual, this physical phase may not be recognized. Instead symptoms such as dizziness, headache, clouding of vision, blunted metal activity, emotional instability, confusion, and abnormal behavior predominate.
Depressed patients do have a higher incidence of hypoglycemia.
Correction of any underlying disturbance in glucose metabolism is the first step in treating psychiatric patients. Instead, we will only mention some effects of the thyroid and adrenal hormones. Thyroid function - Low thyroid function and depression are closely tied, but whether the low thyroid function is a result of depression or the depression a result of low thyroid function remains to be definitively determined. It is probably a combination. Depressive illness is often a first or early manifestation of thyroid disease, as even subtle decreases in available thyroid hormone are suspected of producing symptoms of depression.