what is a hypoglycaemia

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) happens when the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood drops below a healthy range —typically below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) for people with diabetes, or below 55 mg/dL (3.1 mmol/L) for people without diabetes.¹

Because glucose is the main energy source for your body's cells and brain, a sharp drop can leave your brain and body short of fuel.¹²

Common Symptoms

Symptoms tend to come on quickly and can include:¹

• Shaking or trembling
• Sweating and clamminess
• Nervousness, anxiety, or irritability
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fast or pounding heartbeat (palpitations)
• Confusion, difficulty concentrating, or blurred vision
• Hunger and headache¹²³⁴

Severe hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar) can lead to fainting, seizures, or a coma, which is a medical emergency.¹²

Main Causes

• Diabetes Treatment: It is most common in people with diabetes who take insulin or certain oral medications (like sulfonylureas) that push the body to release more insulin. An imbalance between medication, skipped meals, or extra physical activity can trigger a drop.¹²³
• Without Diabetes (Less Common): Can be caused by heavy alcohol consumption without eating, severe liver or kidney disease, certain hormone deficiencies (like adrenal insufficiency), or rare insulin-producing tumors like an insulinoma.¹²

How to Treat Mild-to-Moderate Low Blood Sugar

If you have diabetes and experience a "hypo" (or test below target range), follow the 15-15 rule recommended by health organizations like the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases:¹

1. Consume 15 to 20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates right away (such as 4 glucose tablets, half a cup of regular fruit juice or non-diet soda, or 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar).
2. Wait 15 minutes and recheck your blood sugar level.
3. If it is still below your target range, eat another 15 to 20 grams of fast-acting carbs.
4. Once your numbers are back up, eat a small snack or meal if your next scheduled meal is more than an hour away.¹²

Note: Severe unresponsiveness or fainting requires emergency help and the use of a glucagon rescue kit or nasal spray. ¹²To help tailor this information, are you asking for yourself or someone else? If diabetes is involved, sharing what kind of medication is taken can help me provide more relevant safety details.

Hypoglycaemia (also spelled hypoglycemia, or commonly called low blood sugar) is a medical condition that occurs when the level of glucose in your blood drops below a healthy range. For most people with diabetes, this is defined as a blood sugar reading below 4 mmol/L (or 70 mg/dL).¹²

Glucose is the main source of energy for your body and brain. When levels fall too low, your body cannot function properly, requiring fast action to bring blood sugar back up.¹²³

Common Symptoms

Symptoms tend to come on quickly and can vary from person to person. Early signs often include:¹

• Physical signs. You may experience shaking, trembling, sweating, or a fast heartbeat.
• Energy and hunger. Sudden weakness, fatigue, dizziness, or intense hunger are very common.
• Cognitive and mood changes. You might feel anxious, irritable, confused, or have difficulty concentrating.
• Severe symptoms. If left untreated, very low blood sugar can cause blurred vision, slurred speech, seizures, or loss of consciousness.¹²³⁴⁵

Main Causes

Hypoglycaemia is most common in people who have diabetes, though it can occasionally affect people without it.¹²

• Diabetes medications. Taking too much insulin or certain diabetes tablets (such as gliclazide or glimepiride) is the most frequent trigger.¹²
• Food and exercise imbalances. Missing or delaying a meal, not eating enough carbohydrates, or doing more physical activity than usual without adjusting medication can cause levels to drop.¹²
• Alcohol. Drinking heavily, especially on an empty stomach, stops the liver from releasing stored glucose into the bloodstream.¹²
• Non-diabetes causes. In rare cases, low blood sugar without diabetes can be linked to severe liver or kidney disease, hormone deficiencies, critical illness, or rare insulin-producing tumours.¹²

How It Is Treated

Mild to moderate hypoglycaemia is typically treated using fast-acting carbohydrates, as outlined in the NHS low blood sugar guidance:

• Eat or drink fast-acting sugar. Have 15 to 20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as a small glass of non-diet fizzy drink or fruit juice, four to five jelly babies, or glucose tablets.
• Wait and recheck. Rest for 10 to 15 minutes, then test your blood sugar again to ensure it has risen above 4 mmol/L (70 mg/dL). Repeat the sugary snack if it remains too low.
• Follow up with slow-acting carbs. Once your levels are safe, eat a small starchy snack like a sandwich, crackers, or biscuits to prevent your blood sugar from dropping again.
• Emergency care. If someone becomes unconscious or cannot swallow safely, do not give them food or drink. They require an emergency glucagon injection or nasal spray and immediate medical help.^1234567

If you are looking into this for yourself or someone else, let me know:

• Whether diabetes is involved
• Any specific symptoms or blood sugar readings you have noticed

I can share more tailored information on prevention or when to seek medical advice.

Hypoglycaemia (also called a hypo or low blood sugar) is when the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood drops too low.

Glucose is your body's main source of energy, and your brain needs it to function properly.

What are the symptoms of hypoglycaemia?

Common symptoms include:

• Shaking or trembling
• Sweating
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Sudden hunger
• Feeling weak or tired
• Fast heartbeat or palpitations
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Feeling anxious, irritable or confused

If blood sugar drops very low, it can cause seizures, unconsciousness or even a coma.

What causes hypoglycaemia?

It can happen when:

• You have diabetes and take too much insulin or diabetes medication.
• You skip meals or don't eat enough.
• You exercise more than usual without eating enough.
• You drink alcohol, especially without food.
• You have certain medical conditions that affect blood sugar regulation.

What should you do if you have a hypo?

(The 15–15 rule)

If you are conscious and able to swallow:

1. Take 15–20g of fast-acting sugar, such as a small glass of fruit juice or regular sugary drink, or glucose tablets.
2. Wait 15 minutes.
3. Check your blood sugar again if you can.
4. If it is still below 4 mmol/L, take another 15–20g of sugar.
5. Once recovered, have a snack or meal if your next meal is not soon.

Important: If someone becomes unconscious or has a seizure, do not give them food or drink. Put them in the recovery position, use prescribed glucagon if available and call 999.

What is a normal blood sugar level?

Can I ask you something?

Are you asking because:

• You've been experiencing symptoms like shaking, sweating or dizziness?
• Someone has been diagnosed with hypoglycaemia?
• You have diabetes and want to understand low blood sugar?

I can explain what happens in the body and how to recognise the warning signs.