Retroactive hypoglycemia is a condition that leads to low blood sugar within four hours of eating, leading to anxiety, shaking, dizziness and a variety of other side effects.
If you suffer from reactive hypoglycemia, it can impact your ability to work so you might be wondering if you can apply for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The answer is yes, you can. It is possible to qualify for disability benefits so long as your case is strong and you include all of the necessary medical documentation.
How Does Reactive Hypoglycemia Affect Ability To Work?
One of the reasons reactive hypoglycemia can impact your ability to work is that you have to keep eating to ensure that your blood sugar doesn’t drop. If it does, it can cause dizziness, blurred vision, difficulty thinking and even fainting.
Reactive hypoglycemia can be part of a larger diabetes diagnosis. Many diabetics suffer from severe drops in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and reactive hypoglycemia is one such side effect, only it has the potential to come on in a certain time frame following a meal, making it difficult for someone with the condition to maintain a proper balance throughout the day.
This can make work challenging because you would need to eat almost constantly to avoid the drop in blood sugar, and if a drop happens then it can be potentially dangerous to be on the job given that it could lead to a number of physical side effects.
Can You Qualify For Disability Benefits With Reactive Hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia is considered under section 9.0 of the Blue Book, the SSA’s guideline for determining eligibility for disability benefits. Not only is hypoglycemia evaluated under section 9.0 for diabetes, but it is also considered under 11.0 because it can cause complications like seizures and loss of consciousness, and under 12.0 because it can lead to altered mental status.
To that end, when completing your application for disability benefits you will want to include all of the side effects of your reactive hypoglycemia, especially if you suffer from loss of consciousness or an altered mental state. By including all of this information it increases your chances of approval.
Residual Functional Capacity
If your reactive hypoglycemia does not meet all of the criteria under sections 9.0, 11.0 and 12.0 of the Blue Book, you can work with your doctor to complete the residual functional capacity (RFC) form. The RFC outlines the maximum amount of work you are capable of performing given your condition. If you suffer from a combination of side effects or if your reactive hypoglycemia is not able to be managed given limitations of your job, then your doctor can explain this in the RFC so that your inability to work is documented and explained.
Have Your Case Reviewed by An Attorney
If you suffer from reactive hypoglycemia and it has made it impossible for you to work, you can speak with a disability attorney who can help you to complete your disability benefits application.
A disability attorney can help you gather evidence to support your case by working with your doctor to ensure that you have the documentation outlined in the Blue Book to make your case as strong as possible.
For information about how a disability attorney can help with your claim, fill out a free case evaluation.
