Test Results From 5-Hour GTT

I got the results today from last week’s 5 Hour Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT). My endocrinologist told me that I had classic reactive hypoglycemia, for which there’s no pill and no cure. “I hate giving people this diagnosis,” he said, “because there’s nothing I can offer by way of treatment.” My glucose peaked at 135 mg/dL, then plummeted to 49 mg/dL (and possibly even lower).

I am reporting the results of my 5-hour GTT here, along with a few notes from last week. It’s mildly amusing to reread my notes, considering the blood glucose levels that went along with them! For the record, “normal” blood glucose levels (for the purpose of this test) are 65-99 mg/dL (fasting/baseline), 65-140 mg/dL (other points).

• 8:40 (Baseline) 85 mg/dL
• 9:40 (one hour after drinking the glucose) 135 mg/dL
• 10:40 (two hours): 69 mg/dL “my fingers are very cold and almost not working. My brain feels fuzzy, like I’ve had a couple of beers.”
• 11:40 (three hours) 49 mg/dL “Ugh. Fourth stick (2.5ml). “I feel like garbage. Shaky and cold.” My blood sugar went lower in the next 20 minutes, I feel sure of it, but they only draw blood once an hour. Still, 49 is low enough!
• 12:40 (four hours) 73 mg/dL “still freezing cold and feeling a little groggy“
• 1:40 (five hours) 83 mg/dL : (I felt fine, but was starving hungry so didn’t actually write anything–I wanted to eat a horse!)

The results were no surprise, seeing as that’s the same result as my son, Leo had. Plus, I’d home-tested myself for blood sugar levels and knew I dropped pretty low. I learned nothing new, but at least I have no worries or concerns about other disorders (my insulin levels and thyroid levels were normal).

To sum up what my endocrinologist said:

• Apart from reactive hypoglycemia, I’m very healthy.
• Reactive hypoglycemia does not increase the risk of diabetes. My risk (compared to the general population) is “low.”
• There’s no cure (just eat small meals and follow the diet I’ve been eating!)
• It’s more than likely hereditary, but seeing as there’s no cure, there’s not much point in testing. But he was willing to test if I wanted to, for a specific missing enzyme or other genetic abnormality.

I decided not to go for further testing, mostly due to cost and time. I’m having a knee op in a few weeks, a dog with Addison’s disease and several other more important events to pay for and spend time on.  If only keeping Addison’s disease under control were as easy as eating every 2 hours!

Related posts:

1. 5 Hour Glucose Tolerance Test
2. The Reactive Hypoglycemia Test

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