Hypoglycaemia

When your blood sugar falls too much, you have hypoglycaemia or a ‘hypo’. Here, you can read more about what happens with hypos and what you can do to avoid them.

What is hypoglycaemia?

Hypoglycaemia means low blood sugar. In someone who is taking anti-diabetic medication, such as tablets, blood sugar is considered low when it’s below 4 mmol/l.

Having type 2 diabetes means you probably have high blood sugar. For this you may be taking anti-diabetic medications. These can work by increasing the amount of insulin you produce, or by increasing your body’s sensitivity to insulin so it makes better use of it. This in turn lowers your blood sugar. Sometimes, this can lead to hypos.

If you have a hypo, you may have a variety of symptoms, which are described below. These symptoms can act as warning signs that you are about to have a hypo. If you know what they are and are aware of them, you can takes steps to stop the hypo from developing.

Experiencing hypoglycaemia

What does it feel like to have a hypo or hypoglycaemia? You will probably have some of these symptoms:

  • You may feel sweaty or shaky
  • You may feel anxious or dizzy
  • You may lose your concentration
  • You will probably turn pale.
You may not have all these symptoms, maybe only some of them. Low blood sugar feels different to different people. What matters is that you learn to recognise your own warning signs of low blood sugar.

If you feel you have low blood sugar

If you feel you have low blood sugar, you should eat or drink something that contains sugar right away. For example, your doctor may have suggested you take 10-20 grams of "fast-acting" sugar. These are some ways you could get that sugar:

  • Take 4-6 lumps of sugar
  • Take 4-6 boiled sweets
  • Drink 200 ml of orange juice
If you don't feel better after 15-30 minutes of taking the fast-acting sugar, test your blood sugar. If it’s still low, take more fast-acting sugar. If you don’t do this, your blood sugar may become too low for you to be able to help yourself. Once you’re feeling better, you can eat your regular meals and snacks as usual.

Teach your friends

It could happen that your blood sugar drops so low that you're too confused to help yourself. That's why it's important to teach your friends and relatives to help you if they need to.

The main things to tell them are:

  • They should make you take fast-acting sugar (such as sugar lumps, sweets, fruit juice)
  • If your blood sugar becomes so low that you pass out, they should give you an injection of glucagon and quickly call an ambulance
  • When you wake up, you'll need a snack such as some juice and a sandwich.

When is there a risk of hypoglycaemia?

If you have type 2 diabetes, you are only at risk of hypoglycaemia if you are taking certain anti-diabetic medications or if you are having insulin injections. Even then, you can avoid hypoglycaemia by following a meal plan that is tailored to the treatment you’re taking.

Here are some examples of when you might develop hypoglycaemia:

  • With some treatments, you may start to feel symptoms of low blood sugar if you miss or postpone a meal, or if you don't eat enough
  • Exercising more than usual or taking too much anti-diabetic medication also puts you at risk, as does drinking too much alcohol
  • Some medicines that you take for conditions other than diabetes can interact with your anti-diabetic medicine, increasing the risk of hypoglycaemia. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your anti-diabetic medicine whenever you’re prescribed new medicines for other medical conditions.

    • Walking the tightrope

    Few people with diabetes can avoid episodes of low blood sugar completely.
    In some ways, hypoglycaemia happens because you are trying to keep your blood sugar near to normal.

    The best way to help yourself is to learn to recognise your own warning signs. Take action right away when you feel a hypo coming.

    Tips for dealing with hypoglycaemia

    • Always carry food or drink containing fast-acting sugar
    • Always carry your diabetes ID card with you
    • Tell those around you how they can help if your blood sugar is low
    • Test your blood sugar regularly, particularly if you suspect hypoglycaemia
    • Act on your blood sugar readings by adjusting your exercise and diet accordingly.

    Is hypoglycaemia dangerous?

    If you recognise the symptoms of hypoglycaemia, you can usually deal with the situation easily by taking sugar.

    Although it is very rare in people with type 2 diabetes who are not on insulin injections, it is still possible for hypoglycaemia to lead to loss of consciousness and even hospitalisation, so don’t ignore any symptoms.

    If you think your blood sugar is low, don’t drive a car. You risk passing out at the wheel if you have a hypo while driving.

    Hypoglycaemia: A summary

    A hypo occurs when blood sugar is too low - below 4 mmol/l
    There are various symptoms of hypoglycaemia
    Each person experiences hypos in different ways
    It’s important to learn to recognise your own warning signs of a hypo
    Friends and family should know what to do if you have a hypo and can’t help yourself
    There are some tips you can follow to help you deal with hypos.

     

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      INS/691/0107

    Last updated: May 2007