Hypoglycaemia (or a 'hypo') occurs when the level of glucose in the blood falls too low. People with diabetes who take insulin and/or certain diabetes tablets are at risk of having a hypo. It is unlikely that this will happen to you if you treat your diabetes with diet and exercise alone or together with Metformin. A hypo is defined as a blood glucose level of below 4mmol/l.
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What happens if my blood glucose goes too low?
Often you can experience 'warning signs', which occur as the body tries to raise the blood glucose level. These 'warning signs' vary from person to person but often include feeling shaky, sweating, tingling in the lips, going pale, heart pounding, confusion and irritability.
Why do blood glucose levels fall?
A hypo (low blood glucose level) may occur if you have taken too much diabetes medication, delayed or missed a meal or snack, not eaten enough carbohydrate, taken part in unplanned or more strenuous exercise than usual, or have been drinking alcohol without food. Sometimes there is no obvious cause.
How should I treat a “hypo”?
Treatment is usually very simple and requires taking some fast acting carbohydrate, such as a sugary drink or some glucose tablets, and following this up with some longer acting carbohydrate, such as a cereal bar, a sandwich, piece of fruit, biscuits and milk or the next meal if it is due. If left untreated the person will, eventually, become unconscious and will need to be treated with an injection of glucagon (a hormone that raises blood glucose levels).
Can I die from a “hypo”?
“Hypos” are not normally dangerous in themselves. In the vast majority of cases the body will release its own stores of glucose and raise the blood glucose level to normal, though this may take several hours. Many people have hypos while they are asleep and come to no harm. However, being unconscious is always dangerous - for example especially if you are driving and because of the risk of choking. An ambulance should be called immediately if someone with diabetes is found unconscious. You should never try to put food or drink into the mouth of someone who is unconscious. “Hypos” can be particularly dangerous following alcohol. If you have a hypo after drinking, the body is less able to release stored glucose and the blood glucose level may fall dangerously low. It is recommended that people on insulin should not drink more than three units of alcohol for a man or two units for a woman per day and that you should always eat when you are drinking and have a bedtime snack, to lower the risk of a “hypo”.
