Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

Overview

Causes include too much insulin, skipped meals, extra exercise, and alcohol.

Severe lows can cause seizures or passing out. Some people stop feeling warning signs over time.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Shaky, sweaty, or confused
• Hunger and dizziness

Less common

• Fast heartbeat
• Headache
• Blurry vision

Look up a symptom: Dizziness · Racing or pounding heartbeat

When to get medical care

Causes

Diabetes medicines, skipped meals, exercise, alcohol.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.

Who is more likely to get it

• Insulin users
• Sulfonylurea pills
• Kidney disease

Possible complications

• Diabetes

Diagnosis

A finger-stick check confirms it.

Questions you may be asked

• Diabetes medicines, meals, exercise, alcohol

Tests

Tests, if needed:

• Blood sugar check:
• A1C and CGM review:

Treatment

Use the 15-15 rule.

Self-care

• Take 15 grams of fast sugar: 4 ounces of juice or regular soda, or glucose tabs
• Recheck in 15 minutes and repeat if still under 70
• Then eat a snack or meal
• Carry glucose with you
• Teach family to use glucagon

Medicines

Medicines that may help:

OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional. Medicine names here are examples, not a full list.

Your care team may change medicine doses or suggest a glucose monitor.

Prevention

To prevent lows:

• Eat regular meals
• Check sugar before driving

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to an endocrinologist (hormone doctor).

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Quickly fixed when treated early.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

What to bring

• Blood sugar log

Questions to ask

• Should my medicine change?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)