Hypoglycemia, or low glucose, is when glucose (or sugar) levels in the blood are below normal.

A person with diabetes taking insulin is at risk for low glucose.

Glucose levels are usually considered too low when the glucose is less than 70 mg/dL. Check with your healthcare provider or diabetes educator for specific guidelines.

Common Causes of Low Glucose

• Not eating enough food or not eating enough carbohydrates
• Taking too much insulin
• Increased physical activity
• Waiting more than 10-15 minutes to eat after taking a rapid-acting insulin dose

Signs and Symptoms of Low Glucose

• Shaking
• Sweaty
• Hungry
• Weak
• Dizzy
• Headache
• Irritable
• Fast heartbeat
• Anxious
• Blurry vision

If your child is having any of these symptoms, check their glucose using their blood glucose meter or continuous glucose monitoring device (CGM). If the glucose is less than 70 mg/dL or you are unable to check the glucose and see symptoms of low glucose, follow the treatment instructions below.

Treatment for Low Glucose

You need to treat low glucose right away. If your child is awake and able to swallow, give them 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate, such as one of the following:

• 4 oz. fruit juice
• 4 oz. regular soda pop
• 1 small bag of fruit snacks
• 3-4 glucose tablets
• 3 packets of sugar
• 1 Tbsp of corn, maple or pancake syrup

If treating low glucose in a person with diabetes, do not leave them alone. Re-check their glucose in 15 minutes. Repeat the treatment if glucose is still below 70 mg/dL and re-check in 15 minutes. If glucose continues to be low, call your healthcare provider or dial 911.

Severe Low Glucose

If the glucose levels get too low, it can cause a person to pass out or have a seizure. Treatment for severe low glucose requires an emergency medication called glucagon. Do not attempt to give food or drink if the child is not conscious.

• Give glucagon by injection or nasal administration. It is important that all caregivers are trained on how to give glucagon.
• Follow your healthcare provider’s directions for the right dose and review product instructions on how to give glucagon.
• Turn the child on their side after giving glucagon. Vomiting is a common side effect of giving glucagon because of how quickly the glucose levels rise.
• Call 911 after you give glucagon.
• If you are unable to treat with glucagon, call 911 right away.
• Let your healthcare provider know if your child has had severe low glucose as soon as the emergency situation is over.

Safety Tips

• Work with your diabetes care team to develop a plan to prevent low glucose with physical activity.
• Wear diabetes identification.
• Always carry fast-acting carbohydrates with you to treat an unexpected low.
• Check glucose as directed by your healthcare provider or diabetes educator.
• Teach friends, family and others around you about signs, symptoms and treatment of low glucose.
• Train all caregivers how to recognize severe low glucose and how to give glucagon by injection or nasal spray.