What Causes Low Blood Sugar Without Diabetes?

Diabetes is most often associated with an overconsumption of sugar, but this isn’t exactly true. While hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar levels, is more common in diabetics, people also experience hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar levels. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas inherently and consistently can’t produce enough, if any, insulin. This means that the body is unable to lower blood sugar levels by converting blood glucose into energy. In type 2 diabetes, the same process occurs but is spurred on by a developed resistance to or underproduction of insulin.

Type 1 diabetes is thought to be an autoimmune response in which the body mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the pancreas that create insulin. When it comes to type 2, the cause of diabetes isn’t precisely known, but it is related to inactivity and carrying excess weight. In any case, hyperglycemia is a common effect of diabetes. Diabetics take varying dosages of insulin to lower blood sugar, which can result in unhealthy dips — hypoglycemia — from time to time. However, this isn’t the only way someone can experience hypoglycemia.

The presence of hyper- or hypoglycemia doesn’t necessarily mean you have either type of diabetes. While these symptoms are more common in diabetics, people without diabetes can experience low blood sugar, as well.

What Are the Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar Without Diabetes?

It’s very likely that you have and will experience bouts of low blood sugar from time to time. Your body naturally uses up its store of glucose when you aren’t eating. This is what creates energy and keeps you functioning, physically and cognitively, throughout your day. Whether you are extra-hungry or have overexerted yourself, you will experience dips in your blood sugar that leave you feeling shaky or nauseous. If this only occurs briefly and with obvious, everyday causes, it isn’t cause for concern.

However, take note if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms of non-diabetic hypoglycemia frequently over a long period:

• Anxiety;
• Cold, clammy skin;
• Dizziness;
• Drowsiness;
• Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat;
• Hunger;
• Inability to concentrate;
• Nausea;
• Pale complexion;
• Shakiness;
• Sweating;
• Tingling and prickling sensations;
• Weakness.

If these symptoms occur absent of precursors like exercise or missed meals, or don’t resolve by drinking juice or eating simple carbohydrates. There may be an underlying issue that isn’t necessarily diabetes.

What Are the Signs of Severe Hypoglycemia?

It’s also worth acknowledging that low blood sugar can become more severe if you have a worsening underlying condition. Look for some of the following symptoms of severe hypoglycemia:

• Trouble safely swallowing food or drinks;
• Intense confusion;
• Irritability;
• Problems speaking clearly, like slurring words;
• Vision irregularities, such as double vision;
• Loss of consciousness;
• Seizures.

If these symptoms occur, your blood glucose has likely dropped to dangerous levels. It’s important to immediately eat or drink something with sugar to get your levels back to normal. If you can’t do so, have a trusted person around you intervene. Determining the cause of this hypoglycemic reaction should be your next step.

How Can You Get Low Blood Sugar Without Diabetes?

Hypoglycemia is diagnosed by confirming Whipple’s triad, which includes hypoglycemic symptoms, relief of symptoms after glucose is raised, and a plasma glucose concentration of less than 55 milligrams per deciliter. There are several ways in which people who aren’t living with diabetes can develop chronic low blood sugar, including the following most common causes.

Medications

Certain medications, aside from antidiabetic medicines, can cause drug-induced hypoglycemia. Among these include:

• ACE inhibitors;
• Antibiotics, particularly sulfa drugs;
• Antidepressants like SSRIs and TCAs;
• Antimalarials, like quinine;
• Beta-blockers;
• Heart arrhythmia drugs;
• NSAIDs, like indomethacin.

This isn’t a complete list. Any drug that interferes with insulin regulation or glucose metabolism can lead to chronic hypoglycemia that needs medical intervention. Stomach surgeries can also cause low blood sugar due to food passing too quickly into the small intestine.

Alcohol Abuse

Drinking alcohol in excess can also cause low blood sugar in non-diabetics. Too much alcohol consumed at once and over long periods of time can affect the liver’s ability to release stored glucose. When processing the alcohol, your liver has to pause its release of glucose. This can lower blood sugar levels quickly.

Malnutrition

Nutrition is a large contributor to blood glucose levels. Malnutrition and long-term starvation can cause the body to use up all of its stored glucose. This results in hypoglycemia and an overproduction of insulin.

Illness

Some illnesses and diseases separate from diabetes can cause hypoglycemia. These conditions are typically hormonal and metabolic and include:

• Enzyme deficiencies;
• Viral hepatitis;
• Cirrhosis;
• Cancer;
• Severe infections, including sepsis;
• Kidney disease;
• Advanced heart disease.

Kidney disorders, in particular, can prevent your body from filtering medications, compounding their glucose-lowering effects. Any disorder that affects the heart, kidneys, and liver can lead to chronically low blood sugar. Less commonly, there may be a tumor on the pancreas that causes the body to produce too much insulin and leads to hypoglycemia.

Hormone Deficiencies

Hormones are responsible for regulating many of your body’s crucial functions. They balance the endocrine system, and many hormones correlate with blood glucose levels. Hypoglycemia can occur if you are experiencing hormone issues or imbalances, such as low levels of testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, growth hormones, glucagon, or epinephrine.

Hormonal imbalances occur with adrenal gland disorders and pituitary tumors. These are often seen in cases like Addison’s disease, adrenal insufficiency, pregnancy, and natural or surgically induced menopause. Metabolic rates are also affected by hormones and can lead to hypoglycemia.

Reducing Your Risk of Non-Diabetic Hypoglycemia

There are several ways to reduce your risk of low blood sugar and its complications. Non-diabetic hypoglycemia, when not related to an underlying illness, is called reactive hypoglycemia. This is when your blood sugar dips within a few hours of eating and symptoms are relieved by consuming food or sugary drinks. You can prevent this by developing certain habits, like:

• Eating small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals;
• Eating a balanced variety of foods, including protein, dairy, grains, fruits, and vegetables;
• Limiting high-sugar foods.

Fasting hypoglycemia may be due to an underlying condition. In this case, it’s important to consult your physician to decide next steps. You may need medication or surgery to alleviate the problems causing chronic low blood glucose levels.

Managing Low Blood Sugar Without Diabetes

Above all, it’s important to manage your blood sugar by implementing dietary best practices. Keep an eye on your health, and recognize frequent dips in blood sugar as a sign that you could need medical assistance. Always consult a doctor to find any underlying causes, and work with a dietician if needed to find the best meal plan for you to avoid the uncomfortable symptoms of non-diabetic hypoglycemia.

Disclaimer:

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.