Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia or Low Blood Glucose (Sugar)--also sometimes referred to as an insulin reaction--occurs when your blood glucose is lower than normal, usually less than 70 mg/dL. Hypoglycemia can produce a variety of symptoms and effects, but the main problems arise from an inadequate supply of glucose as fuel to the brain, resulting in impaired thinking and functioning. For more information on Hypoglycemia, please review the related questions below.
Questions
Q: “I have been taking both NPH and Regular insulin for about 3 years now, and a couple of months ago I suffered a hypoglycemic episode and now I am afraid to take the insulin. Is there anything I can do to get over this fear and is this fear irrational?”
Hypoglycemia Unawareness
Q: "I never feel myself going low until I'm there so I need to remember to take a snack before I exercise. Why don't I get a warning? I used to but don't anymore and I'm insulin resistant too."
Hypoglycemia from Combination Pills
Q: "At bed, my glucose readings are 115-130. At least once a week or more, I awaken around 3:30 a.m. sweating, with my heart pounding. I test my glucose and usually it is around 50. What is causing this? I exercise 4 times a week, I watch my carbs, and I have lost 30 pounds. I take Glucovance® 5/500 and Actos®."
Reactive Hypoglycemia
Q: "I am hypoglycemic and am looking for information about this problem. Different physicians have done tests and all have come out the same, but I have received very little advice on how to handle the problem. Can you suggest reference materials for me?"
Hypoglycemic Reaction
Q: "I've been diagnosed as type 2 since March of this year with a BG of 547 (I had infections). I take one 10 mg Glucotrol® in the morning and one 500 mg Metformin in the morning and one in the afternoon. I was ready for the high BG but sometimes I go as low as 54 or 60 if I skip a meal or work hard physically. Has my body lost the ability to regulate my body sugar entirely? I was ready to fight the highs but nobody told me about the lows."
Hypoglycemia without diabetes medication?
Q: "Your answers have been a great help, and now my question is about low blood glucose with non-medicated diabetic patients as myself. Is there ever too low of a blood glucose reading?"
Driving and Hypoglycemia
Q: "How low can your blood sugar go before you go unconscious? I have had several episodes where I passed out due to low blood sugar. I even once wrecked my truck because I blacked out and ran off the road after driving 4 miles. Luckily I was the only car involved. When the paramedics came, they checked my blood sugar and it was 23. How low can it go before you can’t come out of it?:
Important Notice: The responses provided by the team of Diabetes Educators are based on their personal experiences and expertise as practicing diabetes healthcare professionals, and are not to be considered diabetes management advice from Abbott Laboratories. Remember that information provided by the team of Diabetes Educators is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.
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