Hypoglycaemia (Low Blood Sugar)

Key Points

Overview

Hypoglycaemia, commonly known as low blood sugar, happens when the glucose (sugar) level in your blood drops below 4mmol/L. Glucose is your body's main source of energy, so when levels are too low, it can cause various symptoms and, if severe, become dangerous. It's crucial to treat low blood sugar quickly. This condition mainly affects people with diabetes, particularly those who use insulin or certain other diabetes medications. These treatments aim to lower blood sugar, but sometimes they can lower it too much. It is rare for people without diabetes to experience true hypoglycaemia. Management typically involves consuming fast-acting sugars to raise blood glucose levels, followed by longer-acting carbohydrates. Understanding the symptoms and knowing how to respond is vital for those at risk.

Signs and Symptoms

• Feeling hungry
• Feeling dizzy
• Feeling anxious or irritable
• Sweating
• Shaking or trembling
• Tingling lips
• Heart palpitations (fast heartbeat)
• Feeling tired or weak
• Blurred vision
• Feeling confused
• Severe: seizure or unconsciousness

Things That Increase the Risk

• Taking too much insulin or certain diabetes medications
• Incorrect insulin injection technique
• Missing or delaying meals
• Not eating enough carbohydrates
• Intense exercise without adjusting food or medication
• Drinking alcohol, especially without eating
• Malnutrition (rarely, in non-diabetics)
• Addison's disease (rarely, in non-diabetics)
• Pancreatic tumour (rarely, in non-diabetics)

Diagnosis

• Checking blood sugar levels with a meter
• Recognizing typical symptoms
• Review of medical history and medications

Treatment & Management

• Consume quick-acting sugary food or drink (e.g., fruit juice, glucose tablets)
• Recheck blood sugar after 10-15 minutes
• Repeat sugary snack if blood sugar remains low
• Eat a longer-acting carbohydrate once blood sugar stabilizes
• For severe cases: administer glucagon injection (if available)
• Call emergency services if unconscious or not recovering

Prevention

• Follow your diabetes treatment plan diligently
• Check blood sugar levels regularly
• Always carry quick-acting sugary snacks or drinks
• Carry a glucagon injection kit and medical ID
• Educate family and friends on how to treat severe low blood sugar
• Consider using a continuous glucose monitor
• Do not skip or delay meals
• Limit alcohol intake and avoid drinking without eating

Related Diseases

• Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
• Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
• Hyperglycaemia (High Blood Sugar)
• Addison's Disease
• Insulinoma

Available Treatments

Explore our range of treatment options for Hypoglycaemia (Low Blood Sugar):

Surgical Options

Learn about surgical procedures available for Hypoglycaemia (Low Blood Sugar):