Why Do My Glucose Levels Drop After Eating?

As we eat, the energy in our food is distributed throughout the cells in our body. For this to happen, many signals must take place in the body, leading to a rise or fall in blood-sugar level.

Initial Rise in Glucose Level

When the sugars and carbs from your meal are broken down, they are carried through the bloodstream and liver, and your glucose level rises.

The Body’s Reaction

Because of this initial increase in glucose levels, your body will respond by raising insulin levels, dropping blood-sugar levels back down to normal to balance the system.

Consistently High Levels for Diabetics

Diabetics may continue to have high glucose levels after eating, because they don’t have enough insulin or can’t produce the amount required to decrease blood-sugar levels.

Low Glucose Levels Due to Hypoglycemia

When there is too much insulin in the blood, due to reactive hypoglycemia from diets rich in carbs, fasting, malnutrition, reductions of liver function, or other reasons, blood-glucose levels can remain low, even after eating.

Low vs. High

According to eMedicine, hypoglycemia levels may be present when glucose levels are below 70mg/dl. All About Beating Diabetics says diabetics have high blood-sugar levels after eating of 200mg/dl or higher. If you are concerned, check to see if your glucose levels are less than 140mg/dl after a meal.

References

• All About Beating Diabetes: Blood Sugar Levels After Eating
• Net Doctor: Hypoglycaemia
• eMedicine: Hypoglycemia