Treating Low Blood Sugar - Understanding Hypoglycemia: Diabetes

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Treating low blood sugar

While it's a good idea to test your blood glucose level if you suspect you're having a hypoglycemic reaction, often there just isn't time. Once you start to feel strange, don't put off treatment. You need to eat or drink some sugar that will reach your bloodstream quickly. If you can't check your blood sugar at the time symptoms begin, don't wait to treat. Treat first and check later.

About 10–15 grams of carbohydrate should suffice. That can be 4–6 ounces of fruit juice, half a can of regular soda, 2 tablespoons of raisins, or some candy (usually five to seven LifeSavers or six jellybeans will be enough). A glass of milk also works well, as do fast-acting glucose tablets, which are sold at pharmacies. You can expect relief 10–15 minutes after eating the sugar. But test your blood glucose level at that time, and if it's still low, you may need another snack.

Doctors strongly suggest that people taking insulin carry some hard candy, sugar lumps, or even a tube of cake icing so they're ready to treat themselves at the first signs of hypoglycemia. However, hypoglycemic reaction shouldn't be seen as a justification for pigging out on sweets. It's crucial to get enough glucose to correct the problem, but it's not wise to overload, which will only cause your blood sugar levels to surge later.

Last updated:	January 23, 2007