Diagnosed with Hypoglycemia after bypass surgery: What helps?

In a Bariatric Support group meeting, members were talking about hypoglycemia and I realized it was similar to symptoms I occasionally experience. I plan to discussion with my endocrinologists next month. The episodes do not happen often, once every few month.

First time it happen I was scared to death not knowing what was happening. When followed up with my primary, he never discussed hypoglycemia. I have no history of diabetes, so they just said if happens again, come back and would run more tests. My A1C and fasting blood tests always come back OK. They actually did nero testing to make sure was not stroke related.

I just got a Accu-Chek and few strips from a friend who had extras. Going to randomly take glucose levels so know base line and if and when next episode happens, will take glucose level to see if low. The kind I am using does not require prescription and available at drug stores.

I had Sleeve done in May of ‘23 and have been diagnosed with Reactive Hypoglycemia. This causes your blood sugar to rise and then crash. I have been down on the 40–50’s. The crash usually happens 2-4 hours after I eat. Thankfully mine is well controlled with diet. I have to stay away from 15gm or more of carbs per meal. If I go over that then my blood sugar crashes. A LOT of people with the Bypass have this. Look on the internet for it. Some people said that when their doctors appeal the turn down of insurance for a monitor the insurance approves it, or so they say. My doctor gave me a sample one for free, it was like a 10 day trial, that could maybe help you figure out when your crashes are coming. Worth asking. Hope this gives you some ideas. Good Luck!

Yes, I too have “Post Bariatric Reactive Hypoglycemia” PBRH for short. I had a roux-n-y 20 years ago and hypoglycemia has become a serious problem for me. More research is coming out that this is a much more common problem than originally thought. There is much information out there to learn more, and new treatments possibilities are being studied, some at Mayo. I encourage uou yo research farther. There is so much to say on this subject it is difficult to summarize in this brief forum.

The one thing I do recommend is absolutely get a CGM even if you have to pay out of pocket. It has been a godsend and game changer for me. It helps to predict when the lows are going to occur so you can start treating before you get dangerously low and Blood sugars in the 40’s are considered dangerously low.
I have a Dexcom G6 CGM (for over 2 years now) and I love it because of how you can program the alarms. My endocrinologist was able to make the case to insurance so I am fortunate not to have to pay, but if It wasnt paid for I would definitely pay out of pocket. Fortunately when my Endocrinologist and I were first trying to improve my situation we learned the Libre brand would not cost me more than 75$/month. The alarms are not as fancy as the Dexcom brand but it still works well. I recommend discussing all of this further with your endocrinologist, snd perhaps try to find a Dr who has experience with this problem, although they are hard to find.

I hope this helps to let you know there are many of us out there trying to figure this complication out because frankly, it is a nightmare to live with! Best, Nancy