Hypoglycemia after intense workout? Non-diabetic, no history of blood sugar issues

glasscast
glasscast Posts: 16 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
hey all! yesterday i was having a lot of fun at the gym so instead of stopping at my usual point i decided to just keep going until i felt like stopping. initially i felt fine-- a bit tired, a bit shaky, maybe.

but about 20 minutes after my workout i started to feel really, really sick. i was about to make a post-workout snack but when i stood up i felt like i was about to faint (i've passed out before) and like i was about to vomit at the same time, i ended up having to sit on the floor until i felt better.

when i stood up again i broke out in the worst cold sweat of my life and started shaking uncontrollably. like, i was shivering but sweat was dripping off my face... and i felt so sick i was sure i was going to throw up. i pushed through it and managed to eat my food, and after a little bit of research found out that all my symptoms were indicative of hypoglycemia, i had some sugar straight out of the bag and instantly started to feel better. within 10 minutes of having the sugar i felt completely normal again.

the thing is, i've never ever had a problem with my blood sugar before. i'm not diabetic (i've been tested! multiple times! my fasting blood sugars are always perfect), i've never even gotten low blood sugar headaches or anything like that.

has anyone else experienced hypoglycemia after a more extended workout than usual? and how do you prevent it? i don't restrict carbs or anything like that. i usually eat complex carbs prior to my workouts and something high protein afterwards.

Replies

  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    That is really a question for your doctor.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    What did you eat before & after your workout on this particular day? Was there any difference in the previous 24 hours from your usual? I haven't personally experienced this, but it seems plausible, especially since you worked out longer than usual. How long is your usual workout vs this one?
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    I expect you did have low blood sugar and luckily you found the cure. I suggest you carry glucotabs with you.
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    edited February 2019
    It sounds like you just went a little further with your workout than your body is used to. Even healthy people can expend more glycogen than their muscles and liver have stored with a long period of intense exercise. If you're coming down with a cold and don't know it yet, or some similar stressor, that could be another factor.

    The way to prevent it would be a small carby snack - about 15g net carbs - immediately after finishing your longer than usual workout, or stopping in the middle to have something like a gummy if you start feeling bonky. And don't drive right after working out without a little something until you feel confident this isn't going to happen more than once. Most likely this is a one-time thing with an obvious explanation, unless it happens again I wouldn't be too concerned.

    Keep an eye on yourself and if anything similar happens again, call a doctor. More likely than that you are diabetic is that it's reactive hypoglycemia.
  • Fflpnari
    Fflpnari Posts: 975 Member
    As always recommend you see a doctor.


    Ive had several times I felt like my blood sugar has dropped. I bought a glucometer for about $20 at Freds. It turns out my blood sugar wasn't dropping like I though it was. My lowest reading was 77. I think my sugar was just dropping quickly and thats why I felt like this. I change some things up with how I eat carbs and have been fine since
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    Something like EFS or Accelerade during workout should help prevent this.
    Both have sugar and electrolyte replacement. EFS also has ahm element that helps oxygen uptake. No protein.
    Accelerade has a 4:1 carb to protein ratio.
    EFS helped me push my swimming distance to 20km and normalized my heart rate after exercise.
  • hypocacculus
    hypocacculus Posts: 68 Member
    edited February 2019
    Possibly you hit "the wall", or 'bonked' as cyclists call it. Depending on your fed state and fitness, your body can sustain up to a couple of hours of vigorous exercise before it runs out of available carbohydrate and is forced to rely solely on metabolising fat - the transition can be rough. This is why endurance athletes carb load and/or eat fast acting sugary snacks while under way.
  • StargazerB
    StargazerB Posts: 425 Member
    You should follow up with your doctor.
This discussion has been closed.

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