Ask An Expert: Hypoglycemia and Diabetes

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Ask An Expert: Hypoglycemia and Diabetes

Question:

Can hypoglycemia eventually turn into diabetes?

Answer:

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a common problem for people who take medicines that treat diabetes. It is a very rare problem for other people.

It used to be suspected that low blood sugar episodes might occur in people who have brand-new diabetes or soon-to-be-diagnosed diabetes. The body's reaction to insulin was blamed for being inconsistent — sometimes sensitive, sometimes weak. However, this idea was never proven when scientific studies were done. Most experts now agree that low blood sugar is not a sign of emerging diabetes. It does not eventually turn into diabetes.

Health problems that are more likely to cause low blood sugar are alcoholism, liver disease, kidney failure, severe infections, certain poisonings, or digestive abnormalities that occur after surgery to correct obesity (stomach bypass surgery).

Mary Pickett, M.D., is a lecturer for Harvard Medical School and an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. At OHSU, she practices general internal medicine and teaches medical residents and students.

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Last updated:	January 24, 2007

Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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