Hi...been on high p low carb for two months. I drink lots of water and take some supplements. Every time I do the Proti thing I feel dizzy or light headed.
Anyone have any suggestions..I have had blood work done, and every thing was fine. Is this common? I plan on making this way of eating my lifestyle and am concerned enough that I am thinking about going to the doctor. I was wondering about a glucose T test? Apprciate any direction any one might have to offer. I will continue to research this but just thought someone had some imput..thanks bunches!
ML

Hi ML,

What supplements are you taking? And how much water are you drinking? Because low potassium and /or dehydration can cause dizziness. You need a minimum of 64 oz water daily PLUS another 8 oz for every 25 pounds you need to lose.

Low carbing can make us lose a lot of extra water, which can lead to a potassium deficiency. You replace potassium either by taking tablets, or switching to a potassium salt such as Nu Salt or No Salt (just sprinkle on your food, as with normal salt).

The Drs Eades suggest that early in low carbing an extra 400mg daily is a good idea.
If you take the tablets, they should be taken in divided doses, and with food, as they may otherwise cause stomach irritation.

One more thing: People who are taking tablets for high blood pressure or fluid tablets should not take potassium supplements without first checking with their pharmacist.

HTH!

Rosebud

hi, a GTT might be a good idea. i was getting dizzy all the time too and dr told me to do a GTT. turns out my blood sugar was a 31 at the 2 hour mark. worst case of hypoglycemia that my dr ever saw....

Hi again, ML,

I strongly doubt you have a problem with a low (or high) blood sugar, because that would certainly have shown up on your blood work. In any event, your doctor would repeat a blood sugar before ordering a glucose tolerance test. And he or she would be very unlikely to order a GTT if your blood sugar is normal.

Rosebud (RN)

i dont know about that rosebud. my fasting glucose is always around 80 something. perfectly normal. yet i was at 31 at the 2 hour mark and started feeling like i was going to have convulsions. so, you never know. there are all different kinds of hypoglycemia. mine is reactive.

The reason I am suggesting potassium +/- dehydration, is that this occurs very commonly indeed with low carb. One of the basic tenets of medicine is that "common things occur commonly."

If after correcting a possible potassium deficiency, ML, or anyone else, is still having dizzy episodes, then it might be time for further testing.

I'd like to mention here too, that if one is eating regular, adequate amounts of protein, low blood sugars will be extremely unlikely. Low blood sugar can also be distinguished by cold sweats, something that does not occur with low potassium.

Rosebud

thanks so much for your quick reply....
I drink about 80 oz of water a day or more
My potas was normal a week ago when I had my blood work done, but today, just in case I used a bit more salt. I work for a chiropractor and use all natural supplements, the ones recommend in the Prot Power book. I am on no meds. Blood pressure is about 130 / 75 . My father's blood work for sugar was normal but yet he tested positive for hypoglycemia doing a four hour glucose test....so, that is why I thought I should eliminate that. My dizziness is ALWAYS worse in the AM.
I do Curves, and other exercises at home, I force myself to do this because of how I feel. Thanks so very much. I will keep you posted if I get to the bottom of this. I appreciate your time!!!