Do I Have Diabetes If My Blood Sugar Is Low

How To Treat Someone Who’s Unconscious Or Very Sleepy

Follow these steps:

They may need to go to hospital if they’re being sick , or their blood sugar level drops again.

Tell your diabetes care team if you ever have a severe hypo that caused you to lose consciousness.

What If Im Experiencing Hypoglycemic Episodes Even Though My Doctor Has Confirmed That Im Not Diabetic Or Prediabetic

If you have low blood sugar and dont have diabetes or prediabetes, it can be a sign of another serious health issue such as a tumor, hormone deficiency, kidney disorder, anorexia, or other eating disorder, all of which can cause dangerously low blood sugar.

Anorexia has the highest mortality of any psychiatric disorder, and the cause of death can be hypoglycemia, so take your illness seriously and seek help if you suspect your eating disorder may be progressing to the point where it is causing you to faint or experience other signs and symptoms of dangerously low blood sugar. The National Eating Disorders Association has resources on how to identify the signs that you may have an eating disorder, a hotline for help, as well as easily accessible information on everything from how to know when you need help to how to find quality treatment options in your zip code.

People who are not diabetic don’t spontaneously have hypoglycemia for no reason, explains Dr. Christofides. Its often an indication of another underlying issue, such as a hormone deficiency or eating disorder, so its important to schedule an appointment with your doctor to determine the cause in order to prevent complications.

Common causes of hypoglycemia in people without diabetes include:

• Pancreatic tumor
• Medication that inhibits the proper production of insulin
• Hepatitis or kidney disorders
• Hormone deficiencies
• Anorexia and other eating disorders

What If The 15

If you dont feel better after three tries, or if your symptoms get worse, call your healthcare provider or 911. Healthcare providers can use a medication called glucagon. They inject it with a needle or squirt it up your nose. Glucagon is also available for home use. Your healthcare provider can prescribe it and teach a family member or friend how to use it in the event of severe hypoglycemia.

Don’t Miss: Does Sleep Affect Blood Sugar

Lower Blood Glucose Levels Through Treatment

Reducing blood glucose degrees through drug is additionally a vital part of dealing with diabetic issues because of the insulin that is generated. Lowering blood sugar level levels calls for the diabetic person to take insulin in order to maintain blood sugar levels in control. Reducing blood glucose degrees allows diabetics to have a much better control over how much or how little insulin their body produces and utilize it for power as opposed to saving it as fat.

Know Your Blood Sugar

Blood sugar is the amount of sugar in your blood at a given time. It’s important to check your blood sugar level, because it will:

• determine if you have a high or low blood sugar level at a given time
• show you how your lifestyle and medication affect your blood sugar levels
• help you and your diabetes health-care team make lifestyle and medication changes to improve your blood sugar levels

Read Also: How Much Sugar In Chobani Greek Yogurt

Manage Your Carb Intake

Your body breaks carbs down into sugars , and then insulin helps your body use and store sugar for energy.

When you eat too many carbs or have insulin-function problems, this process fails, and blood glucose levels can rise.

However, there are several things you can do about this.

The American Diabetes Association recommends managing carb intake by counting carbs and being aware of how many you need .

Some studies find that these methods can also help you plan your meals appropriately, further improving blood sugar management (

The recommended daily intake of fiber is about 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men. Thats about 14 grams for every 1,000 calories .

Summary

Eating plenty of fiber can help with blood sugar management. Soluble dietary fiber is the most effective.

What Causes A Low Blood Sugar Level

In people with diabetes, the main causes of a low blood sugar level are:

• the effects of medicine especially taking too much insulin, medicines called sulfonylureas , medicines called glinides , or some antiviral medicines to treat hepatitis C
• skipping or delaying a meal
• not eating enough carbohydrate foods in your last meal, such as bread, cereals, pasta, potatoes and fruit
• exercise, especially if it’s intense or unplanned
• drinking alcohol

Sometimes there’s no obvious reason why a low blood sugar level happens.

Very occasionally, it can happen in people who do not have diabetes.

Also Check: Does Stress Affect Blood Sugar Readings

The Dangers Of Low Blood Glucose

At some time, most people with diabetes experience the sweating and shakiness that occurs when blood glucose levels fall below 70 mg/dl a condition known as hypoglycemia. The average person with type 1 diabetes may experience symptoms of low blood glucose up to two times a week. However, not all are aware that these symptoms can rapidly progress to seizures, coma and even death if hypoglycemia is severe. Though hypoglycemia can be common and occur repeatedly in some people with diabetes, symptoms of low blood glucose should always be taken seriously. People with diabetes and their families, friends or coworkers should be prepared to act quickly and responsibly at the earliest signs of low blood glucose.

Hypoglycemia Tests And Diagnosis

To diagnose nondiabetic hypoglycemia, your doctor will do a physical exam and ask questions about any medicines you take. Theyâll want to know all about your health and any history of diseases or stomach surgery.

Theyâll check your blood glucose level, especially when you are having symptoms. Theyâll also check to see if you feel better when your sugar goes back to a normal level.

If your doctor suspects hypoglycemia, you may have to fast until you start to have symptoms. Theyâll test your blood glucose level at different times throughout the fast.

To check for reactive hypoglycemia, you may have to take a test called a mixed-meal tolerance test . For this, you take a special drink that raises your blood glucose. The doctor will check your blood glucose levels over the next few hours.

Read Also: Will Pain Make Your Blood Sugar Go Up

What Are The Complications Associated With Hypoglycemia

Its important to control your hypoglycemia because it can cause long-term health problems. Your body needs glucose to function. Without the right level of glucose, your body will struggle to perform its normal functions. As a result, you may have difficulty thinking clearly and performing even simple tasks.

In severe cases, hypoglycemia can lead to seizures, neurological problems that may mimic a stroke, or even loss of consciousness. If you believe youre experiencing any of these complications, you or someone near you should call 911 or you should go directly to the closest emergency room.

What Are Symptoms Of Hypoglycemia

Throughout any given day, a healthy persons blood sugar fluctuates slightly depending on when their last period of exercise or last meal was.

Hypoglycemia is a more severe drop in blood glucose. Medically, hypoglycemia is defined as a drop in blood sugar below 70 mg/dL. When your blood sugars levels drop this far, you will likely experience symptoms even if you have low blood sugar without diabetes.

Each individual may experience symptoms of low blood glucose quite differently from the next. It is not a bad idea to keep a journal if youre having symptoms on a regular basis. If you have diabetes, a recommendation would be to list your symptoms next to results in your blood glucose log, in the comment section.

If blood glucose levels fall too low, you will need to take action to correct them. If blood sugars drop below 40 mg/dL, another individual will have to intervene to provide treatment.

Symptoms can be mild, which is more common. If a blood sugar remains low, or continues to drop, the brain is being starved of glucose. Insufficient energy to the brain can result in seizures or coma, or very rarely, death.

Recommended Reading: How To Make Sugar Wax Without Lemon

What Are These Natural Ingredients

As mentioned above, Glucofort uses natural components. It utilizes a unique blend of vitamins, minerals, & premium components to make for a supplement thats genuinely 100% natural.

Just like with taking anything else new, before utilizing the supplement you ought to check if youre allergic to any of the components utilized. Some of the active ingredients utilized includes:

• Chromium
• Vanadium

Each of these active ingredients have actually been thoroughly researched and are backed by real science to genuinely help & be safe.

Additionally, the product is GMO-free, meaning its free from any unsafe compounds, synthetic fillers, or any element that may not be natural, healthy, or totally safe. Its developer states there are no unfavorable effects to be anticipated, whether used on a short or long-term basis.

Which Is Right For You

Finding the best glucose monitoring system that is right for you is about finding the choice that best suits your needs. By considering the benefits and limitations between the different systems that are available in Canada, you can find a system that meets your individual requirements while improving the efficiency and effectiveness of your diabetes care routine.

Our glucose monitoring comparison chart provides a summary of CGM, Flash glucose monitoring devices and test strips and meters.

Recommended Reading: Why Is Sugar Level Low

So Why Is Glucose Important

The right amount of glucose in your body helps to provide each cell with the energy it needs to function correctly. Too much, or too little can have an adverse effect on your body.

Most of the cells in your body make use of glucose as well as amino acids and fats for energy. Glucose is the main source of fuel for your brain. Both the chemical messengers and the nerve cells in your brain need glucose to help them process information. Without glucose, your brain wont be able to work as well as it should.

Low Blood Sugar Levels In Diabetes

People with diabetes can have low blood sugar levels because of the medicines they have to take to manage their diabetes. They may need a hormone called or diabetes pills to help their bodies use the sugar in their blood.

These medicines help take the sugar out of the blood and get it into the body’s cells, which makes the blood sugar level go down. But sometimes it’s a tricky balancing act and blood sugar levels can get too low.

People with diabetes need to keep their blood sugars from getting too highor too low. Keeping blood sugar levels in a healthy range means balancing when and what they eat, and when they exercise with when they take medicines.

Don’t Miss: When’s The Best Time To Check Blood Sugar

Treating Mild To Moderate Hypoglycemia

If you start feeling any of the symptoms listed above, check your blood sugar as soon as possible, then follow the chart below to treat low blood sugar. If you have any concerns, or cant test immediately, its best to treat first and check when possible.

How Is Hypoglycemia Diagnosed

Hypoglycemia can occur in a fasting state, meaning youve gone for an extended period without eating. Your doctor may ask you to take a fasting test. This test can last as long as 72 hours. During the test, youll have your blood drawn at different times to measure your blood glucose level.

Another test is a mixed-meal tolerance test. This test is for people experiencing hypoglycemia after eating.

Both tests will involve a blood draw at your doctors office. The results are usually available within a day or two. If your blood sugar level is lower than 50 to 70 milligrams per deciliter, you may have hypoglycemia. That number can vary from one person to another. Some peoples bodies naturally have lower blood sugar levels. Your doctor will diagnose you based on your blood sugar levels.

Keep track of your symptoms and let your doctor know what symptoms youre experiencing. One way to do this is to keep a symptom diary. Your diary should include any symptoms youre experiencing, what youve eaten, and how long before or after a meal your symptoms occurred. This information will help your doctor make a diagnosis.

Recommended Reading: Can High Blood Sugar Cause Nausea

What Are Blood Sugar Targets

A blood sugar target is the range you try to reach as much as possible. These are typical targets:

• Before a meal: 80 to 130 mg/dL.
• Two hours after the start of a meal: Less than 180 mg/dL.

Your blood sugar targets may be different depending on your age, any additional health problems you have, and other factors. Be sure to talk to your health care team about which targets are best for you.

How Can I Treat Low Blood Sugar

If youve had low blood sugar without feeling or noticing symptoms , you may need to check your blood sugar more often to see if its low and treat it. Driving with low blood sugar can be dangerous, so be sure to check your blood sugar before you get behind the wheel.

Carry supplies for treating low blood sugar with you. If you feel shaky, sweaty, or very hungry or have other symptoms, check your blood sugar. Even if you dont have symptoms but think you may have low blood sugar, check it. If your blood sugar is lower than 70 mg/dL, do one of the following immediately:

• Take four glucose tablets.
• Drink four ounces of fruit juice.
• Drink four ounces of regular soda, not diet soda.
• Eat four pieces of hard candy.

Wait for 15 minutes and then check your blood sugar again. Do one of the above treatments again until your blood sugar is 70 mg/dL or above and eat a snack if your next meal is an hour or more away. If you have problems with low blood sugar, ask your doctor if your treatment plan needs to be changed.

Also Check: How It Feels To Have Low Blood Sugar

How Can I Prevent Hypoglycemic Episodes

The key to preventing hypoglycemic events is managing diabetes:

• Follow your healthcare providers instructions about food and exercise.
• Track your blood sugar regularly, including before and after meals, before and after exercise and before bed.
• Take all your medications exactly as prescribed.
• When you do have a hypoglycemic event, write it down. Include details such as the time, what you ate recently, whether you exercised, the symptoms and your glucose level.

Exercise Food And Alcohol

For people with type 1 diabetes, maintaining the correct blood glucose level involves balancing how much insulin you inject, the amount of food you eat, and how much energy you burn during exercise.

Hypoglycaemia may occur if you’ve taken your dose of insulin as usual, but your carbohydrate intake is lower than normal or has been used up more quickly. This may happen if you delay or miss a meal or snack, don’t eat enough carbohydrate, or exercise more than usual.

People with diabetes who’ve drunk too much alcohol, or drank alcohol on an empty stomach, can also get hypoglycaemia.

However, it’s not always possible to identify why a particular episode of hypoglycaemia has occurred, and sometimes it happens for no obvious reason.

You May Like: What Is The Best Sugar Free Syrup

What Causes Low Blood Glucose

• Symptoms occur when blood glucose levels fall below 70 mg/dl a condition known as hypoglycemia.
• In most cases, low blood glucose results from overtreatment: Either taking too much diabetes medication or not eating enough food. Higher doses of medicine than the person actually requires can also lead to hypoglycemia.
• People who aim for too-low values on their A1C test tend to experience more frequent drops in blood glucose.
• Vigorous exercise doesn’t just burn calories, it also burns blood glucose! Hypoglycemia can occur unless blood glucose levels are carefully monitored during and after exercise.
• Not eating on a regular basis can deprive the body of glucose and make it difficult to prevent hypoglycemia. Eat balanced meals throughout the day and always keep a snack on hand.

What Is The Normal Level For Your Blood Sugar

To ensure that your body is at its best, you do need to maintain your blood sugar levels at the normal range.

It goes without saying that if you have diabetes, you do need to be highly aware of what your blood sugar levels are. The healthy range for your blood sugar level, before you eat is 90-130 mg/dL. Once an hour or 2 has passed, it should be less than 180 mg/dL.

Sometimes your blood sugar level will suddenly rise. This could be triggered by:

• A large and heavy meal
• Lack of exercise or any physical activity
• If youve neglected to take a dose of your diabetes medication
• Stress both at work and at home

You May Like: What Is The Normal Random Blood Sugar Level