If you’re a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), you’re probably no stranger to high blood sugar! You may even know that up to 80% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance, which is when your body can’t process glucose correctly instead of converting sugar to energy, your body stores it as fat and absorbs it into the bloodstream. These high insulin levels contribute to a bunch of PCOS symptoms like weight gain, cravings, fatigue, darkened skin, and more. It also increases your risk of long-term complications like type 2 diabetes and heart disease!
But, can people with PCOS experience LOW blood sugar (also known as hypoglycemia) as well as high blood sugar? That’s what I’m going through today! I’ll explain how to pick up on the signs of low blood sugar and how to fix it if you do have it! Here’s what you need to know about hypoglycemia and PCOS:
What You Need to Know About PCOS And Low Blood Sugar
Hypoglycemia (AKA low blood sugar) happens when the glucose levels in your blood drops below the normal range for blood sugar levels. That means your blood glucose levels would be below 70 mg/dL.
Can PCOS Cause Hypoglycemia?
Yes! In some instances, though rare, PCOS can play a role in low blood sugar! Women with PCOS are at a higher risk of “reactive hypoglycemia” where your body produces an excessive amount of insulin while eating to sort of prepare your body for all the sugar it plans to receive. You’re more likely to have reactive hypoglycemia if you eat meals that have a higher proportion of carbs, you have insulin resistance, or both.
After your body produces all that extra insulin, your body’s glucose levels abruptly drop right after your meal. This can make you feel sweaty, shaking, irritable, and even hungry despite just having a big meal. In case it wasn’t clear, these big fluctuations are not normal! We need to get to the root of the problem to maintain blood sugar levels without all the sharp peaks and valleys.
List of Hypoglycemia PCOS Symptoms
- Shakiness or Tremors
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Hunger
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Heart Palpitations
- Confusion
- Blurred Vision
- Sweating and Anxiety
- Increased Pulse Rate
- Increased Blood Pressure
- Brain Fog
- Memory Issues
- Mood Swings
- Tingling Sensation in Hands and Feet
- Darkening of Skin
- Frequent Urination
- Increased Thirst
- Increased Hunger
Hypoglycemia PCOS Treatments
Eat 3-4 balanced meals a day.
One of the best ways to keep your blood sugar stabilized is by making sure you don’t skip your meals. You want to avoid letting your blood sugar drop too low between meals, so eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in between. In addition to that, finding your Carb Tolerance Range can be helpful in knowing how much carbs you need to feel good and satisfied. Eating below your Carb Tolerance Range and even more than that can worsen that drop in blood sugar after eating and intensify those cravings.
I recommend a gluten- and dairy-free anti-inflammatory diet that focuses on high protein and healthy fats. And, don’t worry, this isn’t at all restrictive! You can still eat delicious food like pizza, brownies, and chicken nuggets, but with intentional ingredients that help you maintain your blood sugar levels, reduce your insulin resistance, and relieve PCOS symptoms! Download The Cysterhood app where we can help you find your Carb Tolerance Range and PCOS-friendly meal plans that align with the different carb levels!
Stay hydrated.
You need to be hydrated so that your kidneys can secret excess blood sugar in your bloodstream and maintain healthy blood sugar levels. It also helps support healthy levels of hormones and reduce insulin resistance. So, drink plenty of water throughout the day to give your body the best chance at blood sugar regulation!
Reduce your stress levels.
Stress can negatively impact your PCOS symptoms, but I probably don’t have to tell you that! However, do you know that stress isn’t just hard on your mind, but it’s hard only on your body, too? Stress can cause hormone imbalance and worsen insulin resistance. And. remember, insulin resistance can lead to hypoglycemia! So, try to reduce your stress levels by cutting back your busy schedule, meditating, getting out in nature, practicing daily self-care, and anything else to improve your state of mind.
Take helpful supplements.
There are plenty of supplements that can help with blood sugar balance. They essentially work by filling nutrition gaps to allow your body to function optimally to better manage glucose levels. Some supplements that have been shown to help with hypoglycemia are Ovasitol, omega-3, and vitamin D3. These supplements have even more benefits beyond blood sugar balance for PCOS, so you should definitely consider adding them to your routine! You can get all three from my NSF-certified PCOS-friendly supplement line Ovafit!
Consider monitoring your blood sugar.
If you continue to struggle with your insulin levels, talk to your doctor about glucose monitoring. It can be a hassle and is usually only necessary if you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, however, if you’re having consistent issues, it can be helpful to use a continuous glucose monitor to keep your levels in check and respond appropriately. Here’s more on CGM and PCOS!
Tackle hypoglycemia with the right natural remedies!
No matter what, you should first consult your doctor if you think you may be hypoglycemic. However, remember that high or low blood sugar and insulin resistance can be reversed naturally using intentional lifestyle changes to things like diet and exercise.
You can find out more about that on the PCOS Weight Loss blog and on my A Cyster and Her Mister podcast! Healing is just around the corner!