Low Blood Glucose and Diabetes Glucose (sugar) is the body’s main source of energy. You get most of the glucose you need from carbohydrates (sugars and starches) that you eat. As you digest your food, glucose is absorbed into the blood and sent to all your cells. Sometimes, the level of glucose in your blood goes too low. This is called hypoglycemia or low blood glucose. It can happen when you don’t manage your diabetes. With low blood glucose, you don’t have enough energy.
What causes low blood glucose?
How you may feel The symptoms of low blood glucose can happen quickly. You and those around you need to know these signs:
People with type-1 diabetes and some people with type-2 diabetes take insulin or other medicines to lower their blood glucose levels.
• feeling nervous, shaky or irritable
But your blood glucose can go too low if you:
• being very hungry
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• take too much insulin or oral medicine
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• miss a meal or don’t eat when you should • don’t eat enough food for the amount of insulin or oral medicine you take
• mood changes
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• drink too much alcohol
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• sweating too much • feeling weak all over • being confused or not thinking clearly
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• exercise without planning ahead
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• dizziness or headache
• rapid heartbeat • cold, clammy feeling • passing out (in severe cases)
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Low Blood Glucose and Diabetes Things you can do When you feel that your glucose is low, check your blood glucose level. If it is below 70 mg/dl, take some form of sugar right away. You can: • drink 6 oz of non-diet soda or 8 oz of milk
• take 3–4 glucose tablets (you can buy these at a drug store)
• drink 1⁄ 2 cup of fruit juice (orange, apple, grape, etc.)
• eat 8–10 pieces of hard candy like lifesavers® (not chocolate)
Rest for 10 to 15 minutes and then check your blood glucose again. If it is still low, eat or drink some sugar again. Any fast acting sugar will work. Over time, you will learn what works best for you.
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Note: If your blood glucose is lower than it was to start with, call your health care provider.
Prevention tips You may have low blood glucose from time to time. The best thing to do is take fast action when you feel it coming on. To avoid problems: • know what lowers your blood glucose • know your symptoms
• remember that exercise and insulin lower blood glucose and food raises it
• when you exercise, do it with a friend who knows your symptoms
• always carry some form of ID (like Medic Alert®)
• if your levels are already low, eat a snack and test your levels before you exercise
• know your target glucose range
• take a snack, fruit juice or glucose tablets with you when you exercise • eat enough food to cover the insulin you take Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. Bringing Patients & Health Together ®
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My healthy blood glucose range is before meals: _____ to _____ 2 hours after meals: _____ to _____ at bedtime: _____ to _____
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