Lows
Target: Low blood glucose, or "a low", is sometimes called hypoglycemia. It is important to maintain your blood glucose above a certain level.
A meter reading of less than 70 mg/dl indicates that blood glucose is low. You need to take action to correct the low immediately.
A meter reading of less than 70 mg/dl indicates that blood glucose is low. You need to take action to correct the low immediately.
Most people with diabetes will get lows from time to time but you should talk to your doctor if it happens more than once or twice a week.
Causes
Low blood glucose may be caused by:
- too much diabetes medication or insulin
- skipping meals
- eating late or miscalculating carbs
- vigorous exercise
- alcohol can also cause lows
Complications
Low glucose needs to be treated right away. In most cases it is easy to solve with fast-acting sugar. In severe cases, seizures or loss of consciousness can occur in which case a visit to the emergency room is needed. Do not drive if your glucose is below 70 mg/dl.
Symptoms
Low blood glucose can be an unpleasant sensation. The most common symptoms include:
- feeling shaky
- sweating
- dizziness
- anxiety
- fast heart beat
- headache
- extreme hunger
- irritability
- weakness
- changes in eyesight
How to treat low blood glucose?
- Take 15 grams of fast-acting sugar (3 or 4 round glucose tablets), or half a cup of fruit juice or regular soda (4 ounces), or 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar. If you take insulin or pills that make you produce more insulin, always carry fast-acting sugar with you!
- Re-test glucose 15 minutes after taking the quick-acting sugar. If glucose is still less than 70 mg/dl, treat again with fast-acting sugar (see above).
- Have a snack once glucose is above 70 mg/dl (examples include half a sandwich, a small yogurt, 6 crackers with meat, cheese or peanut butter). Or if you were about to eat a meal - then eat the meal!
- Consider what may have caused the low. Discuss lows with your health care team. They can help find ways to prevent it in the future.
This information is a summary from the "Your First Year With Diabetes" and is provided with the permission of the American Diabetes Association.
It is a comprehensive book and recommended by the American Diabetes Association for those people who have been recently diagnosed with diabetes.
Click on the image to go to the American Diabetes Association bookstore.
Note: Care4life has no commercial interest in any of the books or resources it recommends.