MEDICAL MATTERS
- Medical Matters features questions asked by Members of the ME Association on health-related topics.
- Dr Charles Shepherd and the ME Association's other advisers answer these questions by sharing their expert knowledge.
- Medical Matters is based on the popular ‘Ask the Doctor’ series in ME Essential magazine.
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Questions in the Category: Insulin
Symptoms: Low blood sugar
I sometimes have acute and short-lived episodes involving symptoms that are found with low blood sugar: feeling weak and dizzy, looking pale, sweating, increased pulse rate, blurred vision and confusion.
I’ve read on the internet that one of the symptoms of ME can be episodes of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). However, I cannot find hypoglycaemia being listed in any of the official diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS, or in the symptom list in the MEA purple book.
As my brother is diabetic, I’ve been checking my blood sugar levels at these times and found them to be low. My GP said he didn’t know if this could be related to ME/CFS and has arranged for me to see an endocrinologist (hormone specialist) for further assessment.
Please could you clarify if there is a link between ME/CFS and low blood sugar. If so, what is the best form of treatment? I should add that I have a healthy balanced diet with no food restrictions.
Blood sugars: Hypoglycaemia
I sometimes have acute and short lived episodes involving symptoms that are found with low blood sugar: feeling weak and dizzy, looking pale, sweating, increased pulse rate, blurred vision and confusion.
I’ve read on the internet that one of the symptoms of ME can be episodes of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). However, I cannot find hypoglycaemia being listed in any of the official diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS, or in the symptom list in the MEA purple book.
As my brother is diabetic, I’ve been checking my blood sugar levels at these times and found them to be low. My GP said he didn’t know if this could be related to ME/CFS and has arranged for me to see an endocrinologist (hormone specialist) for further assessment.
Please could you clarify if there is a link between ME/CFS and low blood sugar. If so, what is the best form of treatment? I should add that I have a healthy balanced diet with no food restrictions.
Diet and Nutrition: Restrictive Diets
All kinds of strange and restrictive diets are recommended for people with ME/CFS. I know of people who have cut out loads of different food groups, especially dairy, gluten and meat. Some of them have lost weight and made themselves worse as a result. So is there any evidence that any of these restrictive diets can be helpful? And what are the potential problems?
Diabetes
Knowing that lack of exercise and weight gain are two things that increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, is this type of diabetes more common in people with ME? I ask because I noticed I was getting thirsty, drinking more water than usual, and was also passing urine more frequently. I went to see my GP for some blood and urine tests and she confirmed that I had developed type 2 (non insulin requiring) diabetes. The good news is that a change in diet and weight loss are definitely bringing things under control and it doesn’t look as though I am going to need treating with drugs.
Dr Charles Shepherd
Dr Shepherd has been Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association for more than 40 years. He is integral to the charity's activities and provides information and support based on his professional knowledge, personal experience as a doctor with ME/CFS, and the understanding gained from helping many thousands of people with the condition. He was a member of the comittee responsible for the 2021 NICE Clinical Guideline and is a recognised expert on ME/CFS in the UK. His knowledge extends to Post-Viral Fatigue Syndromes (PVFS), Myalgic Encephalopathy/Encephalomyelitis (ME), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or Long Covid.
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Medical Matters is based on the popular ‘Ask the Doctor‘ series featured in the highly-regarded member’s magazine, ME Essential, and in the healthcare professional magazine, ME Medical. Both are produced by the ME Association and published as hard-copy magazines every 3 months and sent to members and healthcare professionals by post to home or business addresses.
If you are an HCP you can sign-up here to receive ME Medical magazine (people with ME/CFS can also nominate their HCP by completing the sign-up form).
