Hypoglycaemia after meals
Hypoglycaemia often occurs when you haven't eaten, but this is not always the case. Sometimes hypoglycaemia symptoms occur after particular meals, but the exact reason for this is unknown.
This type of hypoglycaemia is called reactive hypoglycaemia or postprandial hypoglycaemia. It often occurs in people who have had bariatric surgeries.
Hypoglycaemia in people without diabetes is not very common and if you are getting persistently low blood glucose levels we recommend you speak to your doctor.
Causes can include:
Excessive alcohol drinking: Drinking heavily without eating can keep the liver from releasing glucose from its glycogen stores into the bloodstream. This can lead to hypoglycaemia.
Medication
Some critical illnesses: Severe liver, kidney and heart disease .
Long-term starvation and fasting: Conditions such as anorexia nervosa is one example of this.
Insulin overproduction: A rare tumour of the pancreas (insulinoma) can cause you to produce too much insulin, resulting in hypoglycemia.
Hormone deficiencies: Certain adrenal gland and pituitary tumor disorders can result in an inadequate amount of certain hormones that regulate glucose production or metabolism.
We recommend that you speak to your GP if you're experiencing frequent or persistent hypoglycaemia.
Contributed by Dr Michelle Woolhouse.