Hypoglycemia Charts
The most common causes of hypoglycemia are:
Taking too much insulin or diabetes medication
Not eating enough food at your meals or snacks
Missing or delaying your meal
Getting more exercise than usual, without changing your foods or medications.
Drinking alcohol without eating food
Certain symptoms will warn you that your blood sugar is getting dangerously low. Be on the lookout for:
Weakness
Feeling tired
Shaking
Sweating
Headache
Hunger
Nervousness or anxiety
Feeling irritable
If any of these symptoms occur and you have a blood sugar test kit available, check your blood sugar. If the level is low ( 70mg/dl ), you need to treat your low blood sugar right away. Eat one of the following sugar-containing foods, which will provide you with about 15 grams of carbohydrate:
3 glucose tablets
Half cup (4 ounces) of fruit juice or regular soda
6 or 7 hard candies
1 tablespoon of sugar
Wait about 15 minutes for the sugar to get into your blood. This wait can be hard because of the uncomfortable symptoms you are feeling, but if you eat too much sugar, you will make your blood sugar go too high.
If you don’t feel better in 15 minutes:
Eat something with sugar in it again.
Check your blood sugar. If it has come into a safer range (over 70mg/dl), and your meal is more than an hour away, eat a snack that contains carbohydrate and protein. Examples include either cheese and crackers or a glass of milk.
This combination of steps will almost always bring your blood sugar into the safe range. If it doesn’t work, call your doctor right away.
Source: click here
If your numbers are lower than 60 you might want to start with 30 grams of carbs the first time, and if you’re still low after 15 minutes go back to increments of 15 grams of carbs. Each person is different and has to find what works for them. The main purpose is to bring the numbers to normal without causing them to go too high again.
Lizzy
© EMO 3/12
When I was diagnosed, close to 11 years ago, I was told “you are diabetic”, given a prescription for some medication, and told to wait for a nurse to come in and give me an insulin shot. When I picked up the prescription I was given a 10-page booklet telling me “All About How to Mange Diabetes”, and sent on my way. That was the extent of my “education”. 
Hi Lizzy,
My sugars have been high (between 250 and 300+) I’m on 1000 mg metformin and 10mg glipzide (which was just put up from 5mg to 10 mg couple weeks ago by family physician). Went to see an endocrinologist who put me on insulin, 14 mg @ night. The first morning after taking the insulin my sugar was 60and I treated it. No problem. That 2nd night I took the insulin I woke @ 12 am with severe low, didn’t test just treated, I felt somewhat better then fell asleep, next am my sugar was @ 175, but I felt wiped out throughout the next day. Called my endocrinologist, but did not get a call back. It’s now the weekend. My sugar was 181 last night so I did not take the insulin and won’t until I talk to my endocrinologist. What do you suggest? And Is it normal to feel so tired and wiped out after a severe low the next day? Thanks for all your knowledge and support. Elizabeth
I doubt that the insulin is causing the lows since it’s most likely slow-acting basal insulin. I think it’s the glipizide. You’re on a very high dose of that. If you take it at night along with the insulin that’s probably causing the low.
It certainly is normal to feel tired and wiped out after a low like that. You need to get both the doses and the timing worked out with your doctor.
Have you done anything with diet and exercise to lower those numbers?
Lizzy
Lizzy, Thank you very much for your advice, I have been on the 10 mg glipzide, taken in the morning, for 2 weeks before I started the insulin. Didn’t experience lows til I stated taking insulin. Maybe it took those 2 weeks for increased glipzide to kick in. I walk 4-5 mornings a week and I’m watching my diet if anything I’m not eating enough watching my carb intake. I used to drink quite a bit before I found out I had diabetes, I quit for 3 months and brought my AC1 to 7.2. Started to drink occasionally, a little more but nothing like I used to, but probably more than I should. AC1 went up to 7.9 then to 9. Back on the wagon again, (wish I could just have 1 or 2 and be satisfied). I lost 35 lbs, going form 145 to 110. My endocrinologist (good friend) says I look too thin and weak. Not meaning to go on about my life history but everything seems to affect my sugars. Diagnosed 15 months ago and feel like I’m starting all over. Thanks for listening, any advice would be appreciated. Elizabeth
It usually takes some time and experimentation to find the right balance of drugs and doses. Remember too that alcohol affects you and can also cause lows, especially with the meds you take. Also never drink without eating too.
Lizzy
Lizzy, thank you for this blog
I just found my way to this blog via the ADA website. Thank you for the reasonable and complete information. I look forward to exploring your site further.
Hi Shauna,
Glad you found me. You can sign up for notifications on new posts and/or the RSS feed.
Lizzy