Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is dangerous and scary — but very manageable if you act fast.
Symptoms to recognize
Early: - Shakiness, sweating - Hunger, dizziness - Pounding heart - Confusion or irritability
Severe: - Difficulty speaking - Loss of coordination - Seizures or unconsciousness
The 15-15 rule
- Eat 15g fast-acting carbs
- Wait 15 minutes
- Re-check glucose
- If still under 70 mg/dL, repeat
- Once back above 70, eat a small protein/carb snack to prevent rebound low
Best fast-acting carbs (15g each)
- 4 glucose tabs
- 4 oz juice (orange, apple, grape)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 6 jellybeans / 15 Skittles
- Half a can of regular (not diet) soda
- 1 tube of glucose gel
What NOT to use
- Chocolate (fat slows absorption)
- Protein bars (too slow)
- Ice cream (fat slows absorption)
- Diet drinks (no sugar)
- Whole fruit (slower than juice)
When to use glucagon
Glucagon (injection or nasal spray) is for severe lows when the person can't safely swallow. If they're unconscious or having a seizure:
- Give glucagon
- Call 911
- Turn them on their side
- Don't try to put food in their mouth
After the episode
- Note what caused it (skipped meal, extra exercise, dose error)
- Adjust your routine to prevent repeat
- If unexplained, talk to your doctor about medication changes
- Consider a CGM if you're getting frequent lows
Hypoglycemia unawareness
People who get lows often can lose their warning symptoms. If you no longer feel lows below 70, run your glucose slightly higher for a week or two — symptoms often return.