Overview

Review the symptoms of low blood glucose (sugar) if you have diabetes or some other health condition that can cause low blood glucose. Symptoms of low blood glucose include sweating, blurred vision, hunger and confusion. Know your early symptoms. You may not always have the same symptoms, or any symptoms at all.

• When you have low blood glucose, remember:
  • Check your blood glucose often and anytime you think it may be low, below 4.0 millimoles per litre (mmol/L).
  • Eat quick-sugar foods. If you’re at home, you will probably already have something close at hand that contains sugar, such as glucose or dextrose tablets, table sugar or fruit juice. Carry some quick-sugar food or glucose or dextrose tablets with you when you are away from home.
  • Wait about 15 minutes after eating and check your blood glucose level again.
  • If your blood glucose is still below 4.0 mmol/L, eat another quick-sugar food.
  • Repeat every 15 minutes until your blood glucose is in a safe target range, 4.0 mmol/L or higher.
  • When your blood glucose returns to your target range, eat a small snack if your next planned meal or snack is more than 1 hour away.
  • Don't drive if your blood glucose is lower than 5.0 mmol/L. Wait at least 40 minutes after your low blood glucose is treated and you're in a safe range before driving.

  • If your blood glucose continues to be below 4.0 mmol/L or you are getting more sleepy and less alert, call 911 or other emergency services immediately. If possible, have someone stay with you until your blood glucose is above 4.0 mmol/L or until emergency help arrives.

Information for family, friends, and others

If you have low blood glucose, share this with others. If your child has diabetes, give this to teachers, coaches, and other school staff.

While many adults use 15 grams of carbohydrate, children usually need less. Check with your doctor or diabetes educator for the amount that is right for your child before giving this handout to family and friends.

Use the following information to help someone who can't follow instructions or is too weak or confused to treat their low blood glucose. If the person takes medicine that can cause low blood glucose, stay with the person for a few hours after their blood glucose level has returned to the target range.

• If the person can't follow instructions or if the person is unconscious (passed out):
  • Do not try to give the person foods or liquids, because they could be inhaled (breathed into the lungs). This is dangerous.
  • Prepare a shot of glucagon if one is available, and give the person the shot. Follow the directions that come with the glucagon medicine.
  • A glucagon shot may not work as well if the person has had 2 or more drinks with alcohol in the last few hours, if they have been fasting for a few hours, or if the person has a serious liver disease.
  • After you give the glucagon shot, call 911 or other emergency services immediately.
  • Turn the person on their side, and make sure the airway is not blocked.
  • If emergency help has not arrived within 5 minutes and the person is unconscious, give another glucagon shot, if you have one.
  • Stay with the person until emergency help comes.
• If the person can follow instructions:
  • Give the person a quick-sugar food.
  • Wait about 15 minutes and check the person's blood glucose again, if a meter is available.
  • If their blood glucose is still below 4.0 mmol/L, they should eat another quick-sugar food.
  • Repeat every 15 minutes until their blood glucose is in a safe target range, above 4.0 mmol/L.
  • When their blood glucose returns to their target range, they should eat a small snack if their next planned meal or snack is more than 1 hour away.
  • If the person becomes more sleepy or lethargic, call 911 or other emergency services immediately.
  • Stay with the person until their blood glucose level is 4.0 mmol/L or higher or until emergency help comes.