What is low blood sugar?
When the amount of blood glucose (sugar in your blood) has dropped below your target range (less than 3.9 mmol/L), it is called low blood sugar or hypoglycemia.
What causes low blood sugar?
Low blood sugar may be caused by:
Eating less than planned
Eating later than normal time
Taking more medication than usual
More physical activity than usual
The effects of drinking alcohol
Fear of lows is common and may cause excess anxiety and stress, reducing the ability to function and quality of life. If you are having lows, speak with your diabetes health-care team.
What happens if I have a low?
If you are experiencing the signs of low blood sugar, check your blood sugar immediately. If you don’t have your meter with you, treat the symptoms anyway. It is better to be safe.
What are the signs?
Blood sugar below 3.9 is considered low. Each person will have their own way of recognizing low blood sugar.
Some of the signs include:
Why does low blood sugar happen?
Have you:
• Eaten less than planned?
• Eaten later than normal?
• Taken more medication than planned?
• Been more active than planned?
• Drunk any alcohol within the past 24 hours?
Fear of lows is common and may cause excess anxiety, stress, reducing the ability to function and quality of life. If you are having lows, speak with your diabetes health-care team:
• Doctor
• Nurse practitioner
• Pharmacist
• Nurse
• Dietitian
How to take action
Are you Driving?
After treating a low, Wait until your blood sugar is above 5 mmol/L to start driving. Your brain might need up to 40 minutes to recover before you can safely drive again.