Question 1

a gp the last few months has ordered multiple blood tests due to having hypoglycemic episodes. it consistently shows an abnormal low glucagon level. im non diabetic. not aware of lows. cant get in w/ an endocrinologist & shes not sure what to do?

Accepted Answer

: Have you had insulin level checked?  Have you been tested for reactive hypoglycemia where, after eating concentrated carbs, your blood sugar spikes high, causes release of insulin to lower the blood sugar but instead of stopping at normal the sugar drops too low?  I think if you called the endocrinology department at a university hospital near you you would be able to see an endocrinologist quickl

Question 2

no diabetes, normal fasting insulin levels, gaining weight fast, no thyroid issues, but low fasting glucagon levels (25pg/ml), no energy, healthy diet?

Accepted Answer

Exercise?: The only thing you didn't mention is exercise.  That can be a vital component of good health.  Please check w/your doc about your fitness to do some exercise.  Simple walking can be helpful.  You said no diabetes but i see metformin in your med list.  Looks like your doc want to keep your blood sugar balanced.  Is your diet balanced?  Peace and good health.

Question 3

can people with low blood sugar inject glucagon?

Accepted Answer

If conscious: Glucagon treatment is reserved for our patients on insulin. They can only self inject if they're conscious. It would be a last resort treatment for very low blood sugar because of side effects.  Typically our patient families use it only when their child with diabetes is unconscious from hypoglycemia because oral treatment would be contraindicated.

Question 4

low blood sugar, symptomatic. should i use glucagon or what?

Accepted Answer

Degree of symptoms: Usual protocol is that if your symptoms/signs ( like passing out or seizures) render you unable to self administer glucose (in whatever form), then another person gives you glucagon as an emergency measure and calls for medical help. Please discuss this with your physician and have an emergency plan ready.

Question 5

was tested for glucagon fasting blood levels, very low level, much lower than lower range, no diabetes, gained 10kg, hypos during exercise. any ideas?

Accepted Answer

Confused: I am not aware of fasting glucagon levels being of any medical utility, other than in diagnosing rare pancreatic tumors causing high glucagon levels.  A low level is of no clinical significance unless your sugar at the time is also low.  You say you dont have diabetes, yet indicate that you are on metformin.  Are you Insulin resistant?  You should not be having low sugars while on metformin alone.

Question 6

i am brittle diabetic. i just got on pump. i have very low bs occasionally. my sister died from low bs. when should i use glucagon?

Accepted Answer

Never: If you're awake & alert enough to use glucagon, you don't need it.  Eat or drink something instead.  Glucagon is intended to be used by someone else when a low sugar episode is so severe that you can't speak properly, and can't swallow safely enough to make sure food and liquid goes into the esophagus (food tube) and not into the trachea (windpipe).

Question 7

my very low reading of igf-1 is being investigated by glucagon test and mri.  if the cause of low igf-1is malabsorption, will these tests show this?

Accepted Answer

Test: The testing is to see if your growth hormone access is intact. This includes your hypothalamus, pituitary and then your liver which is where IGF 1 comes from.  The test will not assess malabsorption.

Question 8

had poor cortisol& growhormone response to glucagon stim test.could poor response be due to nutritional deficiencies?how could i confirm. cort&gh low.

Accepted Answer

More testing: if you failed the test you could indeed have a GH deficiency.  You need to get a full lab evaluation to determine the cause.  See an Age Management Physician.

Question 9

serious hypoglycemia symptoms every 3 hrs w/o food. as a child had low sugar crashes if super hungry but it's now much worse. chronic low energy, reversible but frequent muscle weakness, heavy sluggish + trembling. any tests? genetic? glucagon? thx!

Accepted Answer

Yes: The symptoms suggest either a hyper insulin state or a genetic condition where glycogen (carbs) is not stored properly in the liver. An internist should be able to sort this out. In the interim try to focus on consuming complex carbs, not just sugar. glucagon won't help if you have no glycogen stored for it to mobilize.

Question 10

what is glucagon?

Accepted Answer

Hormone: Glucagon is one of the hormones produced by pancreas.  In general it opposes the action of insulin.

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Doctor answers about:

Low glucagon

A member asked:

A gp the last few months has ordered multiple blood tests due to having hypoglycemic episodes. it consistently shows an abnormal low glucagon level. im non diabetic. not aware of lows. cant get in w/ an endocrinologist & shes not sure what to do?

A member asked:

No diabetes, normal fasting insulin levels, gaining weight fast, no thyroid issues, but low fasting glucagon levels (25pg/ml), no energy, healthy diet?

A member asked:

Can people with low blood sugar inject glucagon?

A member asked:

Low blood sugar, symptomatic. should i use glucagon or what?

A member asked:

Was tested for glucagon fasting blood levels, very low level, much lower than lower range, no diabetes, gained 10kg, hypos during exercise. any ideas?

A member asked:

I am brittle diabetic. i just got on pump. i have very low bs occasionally. my sister died from low bs. when should i use glucagon?

A member asked:

My very low reading of igf-1 is being investigated by glucagon test and mri. if the cause of low igf-1is malabsorption, will these tests show this?

A member asked:

Had poor cortisol& growhormone response to glucagon stim test.could poor response be due to nutritional deficiencies?how could i confirm. cort&gh low.

A member asked:

Serious hypoglycemia symptoms every 3 hrs w/o food. as a child had low sugar crashes if super hungry but it's now much worse. chronic low energy, reversible but frequent muscle weakness, heavy sluggish + trembling. any tests? genetic? glucagon? thx!

A member asked:

What is glucagon?

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