Hi, I’m Dr. Alison Semrad. I’m the endocrinologist here at Tahoe Forest Hospital.
Hi, my name is Charlotte Hoffman. I’m a dietitian, certified diabetes care and education specialist, for Tahoe Forest Hospital.
Today we would like to talk to you about hypoglycemia. What is hypoglycemia? Hypoglycemia is when your blood sugar level is low, below 70. This is below the target glucose range of 80 to 180 for people with diabetes. Knowing the signs of hypoglycemia and how to treat them can help you stay safe.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia include feeling or having the following: irritability, feeling hungry, sweaty, dizzy, anxious, having weakness or fatigue, trembling, rapid heartbeat, blurred vision, or headache.
What if I experience these symptoms? First, use your glucose monitor to verify that your blood sugar is indeed less than 70. Next, proceed to treating the hypoglycemia.
What if my monitor or sensor tells me my sugar is below 70, but I feel fine? First, wash your hands and recheck with a finger stick. If using a sensor, it may be a sensor problem. Check with your provider for more tips.
What happens next? If you don’t treat your low blood sugar, it can continue to drop and cause more serious symptoms, including confusion, with inability to eat or drink, risk of fainting or losing consciousness.
How should I treat hypoglycemia? If you verified that your blood sugar is low, less than 70, treat it as soon as possible. Remember the rule of 15. If you feel low but can’t verify it, treat it.
How to treat? Eat 15 grams of fast carbohydrates. These may include a half cup of juice or regular non-diet soda, a tablespoon of sugar, a cup of low-fat milk, or three to four glucose tablets. Avoid treating with chocolate or nuts, because they are high in fat and take too long to raise your blood sugar level. Wait 15 minutes, then recheck.
Remember the rule of 15: eat 15 grams of rapid carbohydrates, wait 15 minutes, recheck your blood sugar. If after 15 minutes your blood sugar level is still below 70, try consuming another 15 grams of rapid carbohydrates.
If you are unable to eat, or faint or pass out, a friend, coworker, or family member should administer emergency glucagon. Glucagon is injected into a muscle, such as the thigh, or can be given as a nasal spray called Baqsimi. Glucagon raises your blood sugar, but it can cause vomiting. It’s recommended that you are positioned on your side after receiving it, and that someone calls 911. If you use insulin, ask your provider for a glucagon prescription.
Once blood sugar is back to normal, eat a balanced meal, or eat a protein and carb snack. Examples of snacks include four to six crackers with cheese or hummus, a cup of fresh fruit with nuts, or half a sandwich.
If you’ve had a low blood sugar level, ask yourself: am I skipping meals or snacks? Am I taking my diabetes medications correctly? Am I exercising without knowing my blood glucose level? Am I skipping carbohydrates at meals or counting them correctly?
