Hypoglycaemia

What is hypoglycaemia?

Hypoglycaemia is when your blood glucose (sugar) level has dropped too low (below 4 mmol/L). Hypoglycaemia might also be called low blood glucose levels, low blood sugar or a ‘hypo’.

Hypoglycaemia can happen in people who take insulin or diabetes tablets. It is uncommon in people who manage their type 2 diabetes through lifestyle alone.

What can cause hypoglycaemia?

• Delaying or missing a meal or snack.
• Not eating enough carbohydrate foods (such as bread, rice, pasta and potatoes).
• Taking too much insulin or diabetes tablets compared with the amount of carbohydrate eaten.
• Increased exercise.
• Drinking alcohol (especially on an empty stomach).
• Vomiting.

Symptoms of hypoglycaemia

• Feeling irritable, faint, dizzy or sweaty.
• Hunger.
• Weakness, trembling or shaking (including numbness of the lips and fingers).
• Headache, blurry eyes or lack of coordination.

These symptoms can get progressively worse if hypoglycaemia is not treated.

Symptoms of advanced hypoglycaemia include:

• Confusion and inability to follow instructions.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Seizures.

How to treat hypoglycaemia?

Step one: Have some 'quick acting carbohydrate'

One of the following is a suitable serve:

• A small glass of juice
• Six to seven jelly beans
• Three teaspoons of sugar
• Half a can or small glass of soft drink
• A glucose tablet or gel equivalent to 15g of carbohydrate is also a suitable serve.

Step two: Wait 10 – 15 minutes and check your blood glucose levels.

• If your blood glucose level is not rising, repeat step one.

Step three: Once your blood glucose level is more than 4.0mmol/L, have a meal or snack that includes ‘longer acting carbohydrate’.

One of the following is a suitable serve of longer acting carbohydrate:

• A tub of yoghurt
• A glass of milk
• A sandwich
• A banana

View the Appetite for Life contents page

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