Learning how to recognise and treat low blood sugar or hypoglycaemia is very important if you have diabetes. So, what is hypoglycaemia low blood sugar in diabetes? It happens when your blood glucose level falls below 4 mmol/L, and then your body and brain will not have enough glucose to work properly, so you must treat it as soon as possible. Most hypos can be treated if you spot the signs early on and you can learn more about low blood sugar on the NHS website
Who Gets Hypoglycaemia?
Low blood sugar often affects people with diabetes who take insulin or diabetes tablets like gliclazide or glimepiride. These medicines can help lower blood sugar, but sometimes they can make it drop too far.
What Causes Low Blood Sugar?
A hypo can happen because there’s an imbalance between your medication, the food you eat and how much activity you do. For example, your blood sugar might fall if you take too much insulin, miss a meal, eat fewer carbohydrates than usual or do too much exercise without changing how much food you eat or your medication. If you drink alcohol but don’t eat beforehand, it can also cause problems. Sometimes, there’s no obvious reason why a hypo happens and this is why checking your blood sugar regularly is so important.
What Are the Symptoms?
The symptoms of a hypo often happen quickly and the signs that you might often see include:
- Feeling hungry, shaky, sweaty or dizzy.
- Your heart beating faster than normal
- Tingly lips
- Blurred vision
- You might find it difficult to concentrate.
Some people also feel anxious or confused, while others might feel very tired or weak. If you don’t treat your blood sugar when you get these signs, you might become very confused, have a seizure or lose consciousness. This is called a severe hypo and it needs emergency treatment. Some people stop noticing the early warning signs, and this is called hypoglycaemia unawareness and should always be talked about with your diabetes team. Diabetes UK has more information about recognising and managing hypos on its hypo information page.
How do You Treat a Hypo?
If you think your blood sugar is low or your blood glucose meter shows a reading below 4 mmol/L, you should treat it right away. It’s a good idea to have around 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrates, like a small glass of fruit juice, a sugary fizzy drink (but not a diet drink), five glucose tablets, four jelly babies or similar sweets or a glucose gel. Wait for around 10 to 15 minutes, then check your blood sugar again. If it is still below 4 mmol/L, eat or drink again and test again after another 10 to 15 minutes. Once your blood sugar has returned to normal and you start to feel better, have a snack like a sandwich, a slice of toast, some biscuits or eat your next meal. This will help your blood sugar from falling again.
What Happens if Someone Has a Severe Hypo?
If someone is having a severe hypo and becomes unconscious or cannot swallow safely, do not give them food or drink as they could choke. Put them in the recovery position and give a glucagon injection if you have one and you know how to use it. If they do not recover within 10 minutes, or no glucagon is available, call 999 immediately. Always let family members, friends and work colleagues know what to do if you have a severe hypo.
Can Hypos Happen at Night?
Yes, low blood sugar levels can happen while you are asleep and you might wake up with a headache or notice that you have been sweating. Some people might also have lots of dreams or nightmares. If you think you are having hypos overnight, speak to your diabetes team, check your blood sugar before bed or use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), as this can warn you if your levels start to fall. You can find more practical advice about living with diabetes from the NHS.
When Should You Get Medical Advice?
Speak to your GP or diabetes team if you have lots of hypos, severe hypos or hypos during the night. You should also ask for advice if you’re not noticing the danger signs of low blood sugar. Knowing what is hypoglycaemia low blood sugar in diabetes can help you stay healthy, and recognising your own warning signs, always having food with you and checking your blood glucose regularly are things that can make a big difference. If you don’t know what your symptoms mean or you keep having low blood sugar issues, speak to your diabetes team or your GP. Understanding what is hypoglycaemia low blood sugar in diabetes is one of the best ways to manage your diabetes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How low does blood sugar have to get to be considered a hypo?
For most people with diabetes, a hypo is when blood sugar falls below 4 mmol/L. Your diabetes team may give you a slightly different level depending on your treatment.
Can you prevent low blood sugar?
You cannot stop every hypo, but you can reduce the risk by taking your medication correctly, eating regular meals, checking your blood sugar and carrying a sugar treatment with you at all times.
What should I always carry in case of a hypo?
It is a good idea to carry glucose tablets, glucose gel or a small carton of fruit juice wherever you go. If you are at risk of severe hypos, your healthcare team might also prescribe a glucagon emergency kit.
