Hello again, I’m still feeling hesitant about starting a GLP-1. I’m struggling with the idea of it reducing ‘food noise’ because I don’t really experience that; I’m an active runner, and exercise usually kills my appetite. I’ve been wondering if what I feel is actually anxiety or perhaps hypoglycemia. Sometimes I get so hungry and ‘hangry’ that I start shaking, which feels like low blood sugar, even though I’m not diabetic. I’m a 44-year-old female, 5’7", 170 lbs, aiming for 145 lbs. Has anyone found that GLP-1 medications help with these specific sensations? To add context, it gets worse during stressful times like being stuck in traffic or traveling and hiking with my kids. Even after a hearty breakfast, I get irritable very easily. Also, has anyone tried eating at maintenance levels rather than a deficit? I’ve been restricting for years and my body composition has suffered. As a runner, I want to prevent injuries while managing my weight. Thanks for any insight!
Since GLP-1 medications lower blood sugar, you’ll need to be even more cautious if you already have hypoglycemic tendencies. Have you considered using a continuous glucose monitor for a while to see what’s happening? Regarding the deficit—people can eat at maintenance, but weight loss generally requires some level of deficit; the medication just makes that easier to handle.
Hi! I was diagnosed with reactive hypoglycemia last summer with symptoms very similar to yours. I used a CGM for a bit to confirm these were actual sugar drops and not just anxiety attacks. My dietician had me significantly increase my fiber intake. The monitor also helped me identify that sugar and simple carbs are my worst triggers. Increasing fiber and avoiding simple carbs has been a huge help. I also started microdosing tirzepatide for weight and food noise, and it actually helped stabilize my blood sugar, which my doctor expected. I still get drops if my diet is poor, so food choices still matter most, but the medication definitely smooths things out. I saw an immediate difference on the CGM once I started. That said, it can lower blood sugar further for some, but for my reactive hypoglycemia, it’s been beneficial. I’m very sensitive to drugs, which is why I choose to microdose.
You should definitely get a blood glucose meter like a Keto-Mojo from Amazon. Don’t just guess. I discovered that going hypoglycemic can make women feel like they are losing their minds, often being confused for anxiety or physical illness.
I’ve been hypoglycemic my whole life. Tirzepatide has actually stabilized my levels, but I have to maintain a high-protein, low-carb diet. I focus more on protein than fiber to keep me going. My glucose has stayed steady, though I have occasional issues if I’m low on protein or electrolytes. I suggest getting a monitor to check your fasting levels and your levels two hours after eating. However, if you’ve been debating this for five months and are stressed about food, anxiety might be a big part of it. When your blood sugar truly crashes, you’ll know it because you’ll want to eat everything in sight to fix it. Watch for shakiness, irritability, confusion, and sweating rather than just hunger. I highly recommend tracking your levels daily.