Hypoglycemia, Fact or Fad

With unwarranted enthusiasm, the popular press has embraced hypoglycemia as an explanation for a host of physical ailments. Although this has permitted purveyors of numerous "treatments" to do a brisk business, very little helpful and accurate information has been communicated about hypoglycemia. Lynn Bennion, a Stanford-based clinician, has written a book that provides the general public access to the medical facts concerning hypoglycemia, and, as a bonus, gives the lay reader a glimpse of medical diagnosis. Hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, produces symptoms that are non-specific. Since dizziness, headaches, or lethargy can be caused by other conditions, it is misleading to attribute them to hypoglycemia without medical proof of low blood sugar. The author argues that the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test not be used for the diagnosis of hypoglycemia. Its results have a large margin of error, and the extremeness of its conditions do not reflect real circumstances. Instead, blood glucose levels should be measured when symptoms are present. If the symptoms are caused by hypoglycemia, then the blood sugar will be low. Since hypoglycemia is the manifestation of an underlying disease, the cause of the low blood sugar should be uncovered so that proper treatment can be initiated. This book explains the mechanisms whereby the body normally maintains blood glucose levels and details the numerous potential metabolic causes of hypoglycemia. There is also a chapter with additional causes of hypoglycemia in children. The book is full of case histories that vividly illustrate the author's points. By explaining the role of the medical history, physical examination, and lab tests in diagnosing hypoglycemia, the author gives the reader an understanding of how medical diagnosis is accomplished. For the physician who is not afraid of a well-informed patient, this is an excellent book to recommend to the lay person who comes into the office complaining of "hypoglycemia."