night shift and hypoglycemia??

Nurses General Nursing

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So I've been doing night shift for the 2 months. I've noticed the last 2 weeks I keep getting dizzy spells and when they occur I get a bad headache and nauseous. I actually checked myself into the ER at the end of my shift yesterday because the dizziness wouldn't go away. They could not fine anything wrong. In looking at my labs my blood sugar level was only 80. I know that's considered normal, but I find it odd because I had just eaten about an hr before that level was checked. I am now wondering if I am becoming hypoglycemic towards the end of my shift. I did have a miscarriage on May 16 at 12 weeks. During that time if I didn't eat something every 2 hours I was feeling weak and nauseous. I know I'm not pregnant as they checked that in my labs yesterday. Anyone else have this issue?? I plan on following up with my doctor but I'm wondering if night shift is screwing with my body.

Thanks :)

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Specializes in New PACU RN.

I started getting that when I started my new job at a fast paced acute unit - I was not eating during nightshift and not drinking. I was dehydrated and alwas felt dizzy and nauseous at the end of my shift.

Are you drinking enough?

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Specializes in LTC.

I aldo get hypoglycemic. I used to be a waitress so it was easy to grab something quick and go into the back for a minute. I know that my blood sugar is getting low when I start shaking, irritable, inability to focus, and sometimes dizzy. A few weeks ago I decided to take my blood sugar at work when I was feeling like that and I was 71. That is technically, ok but obviously not for me.

I work in a nursing home so I often keep a little snack in my pocket or on my med cart and snack as I go. If I dont do this, I am useless and I'm sure you are feeling the same way. As the previous poster mentioned, drink enough water! I am guilty of not drinking much water even on my days off. I'm sorry for your miscarriage also :( So. drink water and try to take frequent small breaks for power snacks. I know that is not always easy. Good luck!!

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Hypoglycemia is not common in people who do not take antihyperglycemic medications, because your body can make its own sugar.

Best to follow up with your doctor as planned.

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I have to disagree with the above poster and empathize with the first two responders. I saw my doctor about hypoglycemic symptoms unrelated to anti hyperglycemic medications and he said it was common for women in their 20's, especially under stress. Side note, some birth controls I have noticed make it worse for me than others. I had the same glucose of about 80 right after a starchy breakfast. Hope you find what works for you and feel better.

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it does sound like bad habits catching up with you, plus the night shift, most definately a change in your body. You really need to ask yourself, am i sleeping enough, and yes not eating or drinking enough can cause a low blood sugar, a normal low blood sugar, which can make even the non-diabetic get a little delirious, even children! Ever see kids get grouchy and fight due to being hungry, it's true. Then again, anxiety, stress and other things can make you feel that way also.

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Specializes in LTC.

One night I finished getting an HS fingerstick from one of my residents. It was a crazy night.. I didn't eat anything.. just had water to at least keep hydrated while I worked. I checked my blood sugar.. just for the hell of it.. it was 66.

I think as nurses we are more likely to become hypoglycemic during work than a layperson at their job. That would be an interesting survey.

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Specializes in peds, psych.

I work tons of night shift and yes it happens to me all the time, think about what you know about the circadian rythms of your body and the endocrineology, your body isnt really made to sleep during the day and work at night, talk to a good nutritionist, or others of us that have learned good methods to trick our bodies lol, nights is the roughest for your system hands down but is very manageable, I hope you get this under control, you cannot take care of others if you dont care for yourself honey... best of luck

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I have to disagree with the above poster and empathize with the first two responders. I saw my doctor about hypoglycemic symptoms unrelated to anti hyperglycemic medications and he said it was common for women in their 20's, especially under stress. Side note, some birth controls I have noticed make it worse for me than others. I had the same glucose of about 80 right after a starchy breakfast. Hope you find what works for you and feel better.

I'm not a doctor and I'm not attempting to give medical advice to the OP, but it is true that hypoglycemia in the absence of antihyperglycemics is uncommon, and that the body does produce its own sugar (gluconeogenesis). If a person without diabetes is experiencing hypoglycemic symptoms, it is best to follow up with one's own doctor.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.

Hi. This happens to ms as well. I carry glucose tabs and pop 2 if I start feeling symptomatic, then follow up with some leveling longer lasting carbs.

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Thanks everyone for your responses. I do have a followup with my primary tomorrow afternoon. I was just wondering if this had happened to anyone else

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