When is glucose too low

You'll need to test your blood sugar if you think you have hypoglycemia. Although type 2 diabetes is characterized by blood sugar that is too high, some people take insulin and others medications such as sulfonylureas that can occasionally drive blood sugar too low.

You can lose consciousness Hypoglycemia is more likely to occur when you start taking a new medication it can take practice to match your food intake to your insulin dose, for example or if you exercise more than usual.

This can occur within 10 to 15 minutes, and in extreme cases you can even lose consciousness and experience seizures if you don't consume some glucose though hypoglycemia is usually mild in people with type 2 diabetes, and readily fixed by drinking juice or eating other sugar-containing items, such as glucose tablets or four to six pieces of hard candy. You'll need to test your blood sugar to confirm that you're having hypoglycemia—some people become irritable if blood sugar is too high, so it's not always obvious.

Work with your doctor to identify and treat the cause of hypoglycemia. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Hypoglycemia is a condition in which your blood sugar glucose level is lower than normal.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Continuous glucose monitor Open pop-up dialog box Close. Continuous glucose monitor A continuous glucose monitor CGM is a device that measures your blood sugar every few minutes using a sensor inserted under the skin.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Jameson JL, et al. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. The McGraw-Hill Companies; Accessed Jan. Low blood glucose hypoglycemia. Unexplained hypoglycemia in a nondiabetic. Mayo Clinic; Cryer PE. Hypoglycemia in adults with diabetes mellitus. If you think you have low blood sugar, be sure to check it. The Rule. If any of the following happens, your friend, relative, or helper should call You pass out and no glucagon is available.

You need a second dose of glucagon. You had glucagon but are still confused. Or call anytime you are concerned about your severely low blood sugar. Learn More. To receive updates about diabetes topics, enter your email address: Email Address.

Your healthcare provider may provide individualized instructions on when to contact the office. Testing for ketones is recommended for people with Type 1 diabetes and those with Type 2 diabetes on insulin therapy who are having vomiting and symptoms of severe illness. When blood sugar levels are this high, it could be a sign of ineffective glucose management, a problem with your insulin or insulin pump infusion set, illness, or another problem.

Notify your healthcare provider for further treatment instructions. Low blood sugar: what to watch out for Hypoglycemia low blood sugar can occur in people with diabetes who:.

Sometimes people experience a fast heartbeat and some symptoms may make a person appear to be drunk. A severely low blood sugar can result in unconsciousness, seizures, coma or death — especially when a low occurs during the night. Low blood sugar affects many parts of the body, but the most frustrating part can be that hypoglycemia can happen anytime and anywhere — even when you think you are closely following the plan for your diabetes care.

If low blood sugar is severe, people may need to go to the hospital to help raise their glucose level or miss work due to the side effects.

It can happen during a date, during a business meeting, or even while driving, which is the most dangerous scenario if there is confusion or loss of consciousness while behind the wheel. Frequent testing with your blood sugar meter and taking action when blood sugar is trending low can prevent a severe low and keep your life on track. Low blood sugar is also called hypoglycemia. The numbers below represent values in the hypoglycemic range and require action to bring blood sugar levels up into a normal range.

Call emergency medical response if necessary. Do not place food or drink into the mouth. If a person is alert and able to speak clearly, treat with 15 grams of rapid-acting carbohydrate such as glucose gel, 4 oz regular soda, or fruit juice. Re-test blood sugar in 15 minutes and repeat as needed to bring blood sugar within range.

Treat with 15 grams of rapid-acting carbohydrate and re-test in 15 minutes. Repeat treatment as needed to bring blood sugar within range. Repeat treatment or follow with a meal. If it is meal time, move forward with eating the meal. People often fall into this range when they are late for a meal or have been especially active. Discussing your unique health goals and challenges with your healthcare provider can provide customized target ranges for normal blood sugar levels and action plans based on your needs.