How to Treat Low Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, is a serious condition that can occur in diabetics or in people who have reactive hypoglycemia. Normal sugar levels are 70-99 mg/dl, so your blood sugar is considered low when it measures less than 70 mg/dl. Symptoms include heart palpitations, depression, restlessness, fatigue, pale skin, shakiness, anxiety, sweating, hunger, irritability, headaches, and tingling in your extremities.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source} Hypoglycemia can be a serious condition for insulin-dependent diabetics but is rarely life-threatening for those who have reactive hypoglycemia. Left untreated, hypoglycemia can result in seizures, coma, or death. Fortunately, it's really easy to treat low blood sugar. Still, it's important to call emergency services if you feel symptoms of hypoglycemia, or if you notice major symptoms happening with someone around you.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Raising Your Blood Sugar

1
Eat or drink 15-20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates include sugars that are easily broken down by your body, as opposed to starches or fibers. You only need 15-20 grams to quickly raise your blood sugar.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Diabetes AssociationHealth-based nonprofit focused on preventing and researching diabetesGo to source} Great options include:
- 3 BD glucose tablets
- 5 dextrose glucose tablets
- 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) of honey
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of raisins
- 2 Lemon Heads
- 7 Pixy Stix
- 4 Starbursts
- 15 Skittles
- 8 Sweet Tarts
- 15 grapes
- ½ a banana
- 1 small apple or orange.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of California San Francisco Health CenterResearch hospital associated with UCSF, a leading medical university, providing innovative patient care and public health resourcesGo to source}
Use your normal method of checking your sugar to see if your levels have returned to normal. Your blood sugar should be above 100 mg/dl. If it isn't, repeat the process.^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of California San Francisco Health CenterResearch hospital associated with UCSF, a leading medical university, providing innovative patient care and public health resourcesGo to source}
3
Eat another serving of simple carbs if your sugar is still low. If your sugar was still under 70 mg/dl (4.0 mmol/l), eat another serving of 15-20 grams of simple sugar. Wait another 15 minutes, then check your blood sugar.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Diabetes AssociationHealth-based nonprofit focused on preventing and researching diabetesGo to source}
- Most people will have stabilized after one or two sugar cycles; however, continue the process until your blood sugar is above 70 mg/dl (4.0 mmol/l).
- Be careful to not overeat, as this could cause your blood sugar to rapidly spike.
4
Eat a small snack or your next meal. When your sugar is stable, you need to eat a snack if your meal is more than one hour away. If you were planning to eat within an hour, just wait until your next meal. Otherwise, have a small, healthy snack that contains complex carbs as well as protein and fat to stabilize your blood sugar.^{[6]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Diabetes AssociationHealth-based nonprofit focused on preventing and researching diabetesGo to source}
- While your snack should not be a simple sugar, it should contain complex carbohydrates.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceJoslin Diabetes CenterWorld's largest diabetes research center, focused on patient support and public education and outreach.Go to source}
- For example, eat a sandwich with meat, lettuce, and tomato as a meal.
- For a snack, you could try a low carb protein bar.
If you are experiencing low blood sugar often, talk to your doctor to see if you need any adjustments to your diet or medications. Since low blood sugar is a normal occurrence in diabetics, it needs to be regularly monitored, especially in juvenile diabetics.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of California San Francisco Health CenterResearch hospital associated with UCSF, a leading medical university, providing innovative patient care and public health resourcesGo to source}
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Helping Someone with Low Sugar

1
See if the person is responsive. If the person is responsive, then you can give them 15-20 grams of quick carbohydrates. If they have passed out due to low sugar, then you cannot give them sugar via food and drink. If they have a glucagon kit, you can administer an injection. If you are unable to administer the injection, call emergency services immediately.
- Do not try to give someone food and drink if they are unconscious. This could cause them to choke.
- Never inject insulin when a person has low blood sugar. That could put a person in a coma, which may lead to death.^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Diabetes AssociationHealth-based nonprofit focused on preventing and researching diabetesGo to source}
Call emergency services if there is no glucagon kit. If you can't locate the glucagon kit or can't figure out how to use it, call emergency services immediately. If they do have a glucagon kit, administer it and care for the person before calling for medical services, or have someone else call while you administer the kit.
3
Get their glucagon kit. Glucagon kits are only available by prescription, so you'll only be able to use it if the person has one. The glucagon will help with the release of glucose in the bloodstream, bringing blood sugar levels back up.^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Diabetes AssociationHealth-based nonprofit focused on preventing and researching diabetesGo to source}
- Their glucagon kit might be in their bag, purse, or pockets. Make sure to search thoroughly but quickly. It should always be in a red, plastic container.
4
Inject the glucagon into their buttock, arm, or thigh muscle. Follow the instructions that are included with the kit to make sure that you inject it correctly. The muscles of the buttock, arm, and thigh are the best locations for the injection.^{[11]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Diabetes AssociationHealth-based nonprofit focused on preventing and researching diabetesGo to source}
- Choose the easiest to reach injection spot, unless otherwise directed by the instructions.
5
Help the person as they wake up. Keep the person stable, and don't let them injure themselves as they wake up.
- Turn them on their side in case they vomit. Provide them with a bucket or trash can if necessary.^{[12]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Diabetes AssociationHealth-based nonprofit focused on preventing and researching diabetesGo to source}
This is so that their liver does not suck the glucose back in, dropping the levels down again. Good options include 4 oz of regular juice or soda, half a banana, or a packet of sugar dissolved in orange juice.
When a person receives glucagon, they need to follow up with a medical professional quickly. They will also need a prescription for a new glucagon kit in case they pass out again in the future.^{[13]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Diabetes AssociationHealth-based nonprofit focused on preventing and researching diabetesGo to source}
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Low Blood Sugar

1
Talk to your doctor. Your doctor can help you develop a plan to manage your blood sugar. What you're eating, the medicines you take, and any exercise that you do can all affect your blood sugar. Your doctor will be able to help you plan how to avoid drops in your sugar.^{[14]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Ask about new exercise routines.
- Check with your doctor before changing your diet.
- Ask about any vitamins or supplements you want to take before you try them.
The meal plan provided by your doctor or dietitian is your best option for maintaining your blood sugar.^{[15]XExpert SourceLyssandra Guerra
Certified Nutrition & Wellness ConsultantExpert Interview. 25 March 2020.} Don't add new foods or change what they've given you. If you want to sometimes deviate from the plan, talk to your doctor or dietitian in advance about how to do it safely.^{[16]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
If you're on medication for diabetes, make sure you take it in the correct amounts and at the times directed. These medications will help keep your blood sugar from getting too high, but if you use them incorrectly they could cause your sugar to drop too low.^{[17]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
4
Eat several small meals throughout the day. Eating several small meals throughout the day rather than three big meals can help you keep your blood sugar steady. Choose balanced meals that are on your meal plan.
- Eating several small meals is helpful for people who have reactive hypoglycemia, which occurs when your blood sugar drops because your body releases too much insulin after meals.^{[18]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Healthy meals are low carb, with higher levels of protein and fats. For example, eat a salad with grilled chicken or a half sandwich with a cup of soup.^{[19]XExpert SourceLyssandra Guerra
  Certified Nutrition & Wellness ConsultantExpert Interview. 25 March 2020.}
5
Check your blood sugar throughout the day. Stay on top of your numbers so that you know where you stand. This will allow you to eat a snack before your sugar gets low, or take insulin if your sugar is unexpectedly high.^{[20]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Carry your testing kit everywhere.
- Test before and after your planned meals. Try to keep your meals and checks as consistent as possible.
- Make sure your meter and meter supplies are accurate, have not expired, and are still of good use. Make regular appointments with your endocrinologist and stick to the action plan you create with your doctor.
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Tips

Watch for hypoglycemia if you delay your meal or snack, exercise, take too much insulin, or drink alcohol.
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If you have diabetes or tend to get hypoglycemia often, keep emergency glucose tablets with you at all times.
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Ask someone who is close by to come and stay with you for a few minutes until your blood glucose is normal. This will reduce the risk of injury.
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Warnings

Hypoglycemia unawareness can happen if you get low sugar too often. This is when your body no longer has symptoms. Serious health issues can occur if it goes untreated.
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Do not give solid or liquid foods, glucose tablets, or cake frosting of any kind to someone who is unconscious.
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Don't use diet soda to treat low blood sugar. It doesn't have any sugar so it won't raise your blood sugar.
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