Quote Originally Posted by Catrin View Post
even when I eat an hour or so prior
A couple of things here... first, timing a meal/snack that way before a workout can contribute to hypoglycemia if you have a delayed first phase insulin response... when you time that with increased glucose uptake by your muscles, it would not be a surprise at all if you go low. So I wouldn't recommend doing that... at most, have a light low-GI snack immediately *before* your workout or mid-way through. Like a Luna Mini or energy gel (you'd be surprised that most are relatively low GI, despite seeming like syrup), or something more protein heavy and light on the carbs.

Second, most type 2/pre diabetics who are not on diabetes medication such as insulin or sulfonylureas don't really need to worry about lows - and I don't say that to suggest that they CAN'T happen, more that it's just really unlikely unless you already had a documented medical history of hypoglycemia.

Third, 'dicey' feeling may not actually amount to any medical concern at all. Do you have a glucometer? Are you using it? Do you know if you legitimately 'low' during/after spin class or do you just think/feel like you are? Plain and simple, you can't rely on how you "feel" - you have to test, not guess. Low is <60 mg/dl. Anything higher is probably just fine. I often finish rides in the 70's and sometimes 60's and I don't worry about it at all. You might consider checking your blood pressure too. Mine is sometimes on the lowish side, and that can be really unsettling when on the bike... I will feel like I am going to black out and sometimes I have to stop until I feel better, but I've never been low when that has happened.

A true hypoglycemic event shares a few of the same hormones that are produced/used during exercise (in particular, adrenalin and endorphins, which is what actually contributes to many of the symptoms of being low, and glucagon, which is used by the body to release stored glycogen to fuel your muscles, can make you feel a little woozy on top of that). It's all a normal part of how the body works... so you may end up with 'low' symptoms when your blood glucose is really quite normal. I know it happens to my husband.. every time he's wanted to test because he feels "shaky" his blood glucose is in the 80's - totally normal.

I second the suggestion for some sort of diluted carb source during class. I usually alternate between diluted gatorate (some flavors are better than others when diluted, I prefer the "blue" one, whatever flavor that is - maybe glacier freeze?) and tri-berry nuun on my rides (I take plain water too, but rarely drink any unless it's super hot out). My gatorade is usually diluted more than half strength... it's probably like third strength so it's really not overly sweet.. nuun tastes sweeter, and that has no calories.

The only other advice I have, is that if you don't have a glucometer, get one, and use it. Test at 10 minute intervals until you have some reassurance that your body isn't doing anything crazy. You'll definitely want to have one when you're riding on the road, along with some kind of fast acting glucose if you did have a true low.