Hypoglycemia_Tool

Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels drop below normal ranges and is a dangerous condition that may require medical treatment. You should talk with your provider about what blood glucose levels are normal for you. For most people, blood glucose levels less than 70 mg/dL are hypoglycemic. If you have diabetes, you are at high risk for hypoglycemia if you: • Are using insulin, especially if you have been using insulin for a long time. • Use diabetes medications called sulfonylureas (glipizide, glimepiride or glyburide) or meglitinides. • Miss or delay meals. • Have liver or kidney disease. • Have had previous hypoglycemic episodes or hypoglycemia unawareness. Here are some tips for preventing hypoglycemia: • Monitor and record your glucose levels frequently. • Eat meals and snacks on a regular schedule. • When exercising, pay careful attention to blood glucose levels. ○ You may need to eat a snack containing carbohydrates or reduce your insulin before exercising. • Avoid alcohol or, when drinking, eat a meal or a snack. • If you use insulin, use an insulin pen (if possible) for more accurate dosing. • Talk to your provider about whether you qualify for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), which can let you know when your numbers are low or are dropping quickly. Preventing, Preparing for and Treating Hypoglycemia • Dizziness or lightheadedness. • Hunger. • Nausea. • Pale skin. • Sleepiness, weakness, fatigue. • Shakiness. • Nervousness or anxiety. • Sweating, chills, clamminess. • Irritability or impatience. • Fast or racing heartbeat. The signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia can manifest quickly and differ from person to person. If you experience any of the following symptoms, check your blood glucose levels right away. • Blurry vision. • Tingling or numbness in the face. • Headache. • Loss of coordination, clumsiness. • Nightmares. • Seizures. What if I feel hypoglycemic but my blood sugar is normal (>70 mg/dL)? This is common and can happen when your blood glucose drops rapidly (for example, from 200 to 85 mg/dL) in a short period of time, or if you have had high blood glucose readings for a long time and are working on lowering them to normal levels (A1C <7%). Your body is used to being “high” and will take time to feel stable at normal levels. Next Steps • Continue monitoring your blood glucose to make sure it does not drop below 70 mg/dL. • After treating with carbohydrates, eat a small snack that is mostly protein, such as low-fat cheese or peanut butter, to stabilize blood glucose. • Avoid consuming glucose or carbohydrates to prevent your blood glucose from spiking again. • Report these symptoms to your provider for further discussion. Your provider may want to investigate other conditions that can cause symptoms of hypoglycemia.