How to Treat Diabetes-Related Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a common complication of diabetes. In fact, the majority of people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes will experience hypoglycemia at one time or another—even if their diabetes is well-controlled. Hypoglycemia can quickly become a medical emergency if it is severe or goes untreated. That's why it is so important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar, understand how to treat it at home and know when to seek additional medical attention.

What causes diabetes-related hypoglycemia?

Physical activity
Delaying or skipping a meal or snack
Not eating enough at a given meal or snack
Insulin
Some oral medications used to treat diabetes

What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia can develop very rapidly, and its symptoms can occur suddenly.

Nervousness
Shaking
Sweating
Dizziness
Feeling weak
Irritability
Headache
Rapid heartbeat
Hunger

Whenever you experience any of the symptoms above, it is recommended that you test your blood sugar. If it is not possible to check your blood sugar and you are experiencing these symptoms, always assume that your blood sugar is low and treat it accordingly.

How to Treat Hypoglycemia at Home

The primary treatment of low blood sugar is simply to eat one 15-gram serving of any carbohydrate food that is mainly sugar. Sugar-based carbohydrates digest and enter your bloodstream quickly, which can raise blood glucose levels back to normal. Carbohydrate foods that have significant amounts of sugar, but also large amounts of fat or protein—such as chocolate, cookies, ice cream, and more—are digested much more slowly and will not correct low blood sugar as efficiently.

Recommended Carbohydrate Foods to Treat Low Blood Sugar

Serving Size (15 grams)	Carbohydrate Food
1/2 cup	Regular soda pop
1 cup	Skim or 1% milk
1/2 cup	Fruit juice
3-4	Glucose tablets
4 teaspoons	Sugar
1 Tablespoon	Honey, syrup, or jam
5-6	Hard candies (i.e. Lifesavers or peppermints)

After eating one serving of any item listed above, wait 15 to 20 minutes, then check blood sugar again if possible. If your blood sugar is still low, or if symptoms persist, treat again with another 15-gram serving of one of the above foods. Wait another 15 to 20 minutes and check your blood again. If your blood sugar remains too low or your symptoms do not go away, repeat the treatment a third time. Again, wait 15 to 20 minutes and recheck your blood sugar if possible. If your blood sugar has not returned to normal or you are still having symptoms 15-20 minutes after your third round of treatment, call 911 for emergency assistance.

Most commonly, hypoglycemia symptoms will go away after this simple at-home treatment. Once your blood sugar has returned to normal, it is important to eat your usual meals and snacks as planned to prevent a recurrence later that day. If you do not have a meal or snack planned within an hour of the episode of low blood sugar, it is best to add an additional small snack that contains carbohydrates along with protein or fat immediately following treatment. An example would be half of a sandwich (with lunchmeat, cheese, or peanut butter) or five to six crackers with cheese or peanut butter.

Important things to remember:

Prevention is best. Practicing good diabetes self-management can help prevent hypoglycemia. Talk to your doctor about finding a certified diabetes educator or diabetes education program in your area.
If you have diabetes, carry a quick form of sugar with you at all times.
Remember to always wear medical identification, such as a necklace or bracelet.
If you have diabetes, ask your physician whether a Glucagon emergency kit is right for you.
If you experience low blood sugar several days in a row or at the same time each day, speak with your doctor right away.
If hypoglycemia is severe enough, an individual can lose consciousness. An immediate call to 911 immediately is necessary should this occur.

For more specific information or help, talk to your health care provider. The American Diabetes Association's National Call Center also offers live advice from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday at 1-800-DIABETES or 1-800-342-2383.

Member Comments

MAMABEAR372

Yes, everyone is different. Report

GREEN_EYES2

Great information. Report

RAPUNZEL53

Great Report

NASFKAB

Great information Report

TOMATOCAFEGAL

Good info. Reader comments are always so enlightening. Report

WHITEANGEL4

Thanks for sharing Report

JUDITHANNIE

Great advice, thanks Report

PWILLOW1

Interestsing article. Report

RAPUNZEL53

Thanks. Report

MIYAMO

Great information. Report

CHANGEHASTOCOME

good info Report

SLAKE0

I am type 2 and have experienced some hypoglycemic episodes. I am supposedly abnormal as when I have a reading of 63 and take just 2 grams of carbs my sugars quickly rebound up around 100 - 115. I don't recommend this for anyone. I do recommend you learn what you need and how your own body responds. If I did the 15 grams of carbs my sugars would be up in the upper 200's afterwards. I also found out my glucose levels start to rise within 10 - 15 minutes of stopping exercise, so if I am at an 80 or above I don't even treat myself. Learn how your body responds ! Report

OWLY17

Whoever came up with this "15-15" solution for low blood sugar was NOT a diabetic. When someone's blood sugar is very low, say below 60, time is critical, and more often than not, only 15 grams of carbs will NOT raise the blood sugar enough to be safe. 30-45, even 60 carbs is more realistic to get someone to a "normal" blood sugar level. And further more, why do we make diabetics wait another 15 minutes for adequate relief? Do we make heart attack patients wait for aspirin or nitro? How do I know this? I've been Type I for over 40 years and have had well over 100,000 episodes of hypoglycemia. This treatment has been floating around for far too long and I can't imagine the diabetics that have waited around for another 15 minutes while their blood sugar continued to plummet because of this protocol. This mindset NEEDS to change! No one is going to suffer life-long complications if their blood sugar is slightly elevated after a low, but people have DIED from severe hypoglycemia. Don't wait!!! and DON'T be afraid to eat more than 15 carbs!!! Report

BONDMANUS2002

good info Report

MSROZZIE

Awesome article, thanks! Report

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About The Author

Amy L. Poetker
Amy Poetker is a licensed and registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with a master's degree in dietetics. Amy, who has spent most of her career working in diabetes education, is dedicated to the treatment of that disease and the prevention of related complications. See all of Amy's articles.