Hypoglycemia (said like: hi poe glie SEE mee ah), or low blood glucose, is the most common problem with insulin therapy. Low blood glucose is when the blood glucose falls below 70 mg/dl. Hypoglycemia can happen very quickly. What Causes Low Blood Glucose?

Not enough carbohydrates eaten Too much insulin given More exercise than normal

How do I Prevent Low Blood Glucose?

The best way to prevent low blood glucose is to take insulin based on the amount of carbohydrates you are eating, your blood glucose level, and your planned activity level. Plan ahead if you know you will be doing more activity than normal. Test your blood glucose regularly.

What do I Need to be Ready for a Low Blood Glucose?

Know YOUR signs of low blood glucose. Your family and friends will also need to learn your signs of low blood glucose so they can help you treat it. Always keep some form of sugar with you. Always keep your blood glucose meter with you. Always have a Glucagon Emergency Kit (see page 49). Always wear a medical necklace or bracelet, or carry a medical ID card in your wallet.

What are the Signs of Low Blood Glucose? Because sugar (glucose) is the main fuel for the brain, a sudden drop in the glucose level can cause the following symptoms:

Early Signs Late Signs Signs While Sleeping

shakiness Personality Change Nightmares

Nervousness Seizures Waking up suddenly

Stomach ache Confusion Sweating; wet clothes or sheets

Weakness Irritability, crankiness Fast heartbeat

Blurry vision Unconsciousness Can’t fall back to sleep; restless

Dizziness

Pale skin

Sweating

Headaches

How do I Treat Low Blood Glucose with the 15/15 Rule? Step 1: Stop what you are doing if you have any signs of low blood glucose, and check your blood glucose. You may have to:

Let your coach know you need a break. Leave class in the middle of a lesson and go to the nurse’s office.

Step 2: Read the results.

For children up to 1 year old, tre at blood glucose of 90 or below. For children 1 to 4 years old, treat a blood glucose of 80 or below. For children 5 years old or more, treat a blood glucose of 70 or below.

Step 3: Treat the low blood glucose with a 15 gram carbohydrate snack that works fast (Picture 1). This is called a fast-acting carbohydrate. If your blood glucose is low, your body needs sugar quickly. If these symptoms are not treated, seizures and/or unconsciousness can happen. Eat a 15 gram fast-acting carbohydrate. One of the following would be a good choice:

4 ounces of 100% fruit juice 3 to 4 glucose tablets 1 tube of glucose gel Candy, like Skittles or gummy bears.

Do not use candy bars or other candy that has fat.

Picture 1: Always carry some kind of glucose with you, like glucose tablets or fruit juice. Step 4: Check your blood glucose again in 15 minutes. Do this even if you feel better.

If your blood glucose is still below target range (70 - 80 mg/dl), repeat steps 3 and 4.

If your blood glucose is above target range (70-80 mg/dl) and it is more than 1 hour until your next meal, eat another 15 gram carbohydrate snack with protein. This can be any of the following:

Peanut butter or cheese and crackers

Half of a sandwich

Granola bar

One glass of milk

What do I do about Low Blood Glucose at Nighttime? It is a good idea to keep small boxes or cans of juice at your bedside to treat low blood glucose in the middle of the night. Make sure to follow up with a snack of 15 grams of complex carbohydrate and protein before going back to bed. Cheese and crackers are a good choice. You do not need to eat a full meal.

Important to Remember

        Remember, if blood glucose is below target before a meal, treat before you eat. When blood glucose is above 70 mg/dl, take your insulin before you eat a meal or another snack.



        If you have signs of low blood glucose, but cannot test your blood, you should treat for low blood glucose anyway. Use the 15/15 Rule, giving yourself 15 grams of carbohydrate and checking your blood glucose in 15 minutes.

Have a signal for your teacher or your coach that lets them know you are having signs of low blood glucose.

  Back to the Managing Your Diabetes Resource Book Table of Contents »

Hypoglycemia (said like: hi poe glie SEE mee ah), or low blood glucose, is the most common problem with insulin therapy. Low blood glucose is when the blood glucose falls below 70 mg/dl. Hypoglycemia can happen very quickly. What Causes Low Blood Glucose?

Not enough carbohydrates eaten Too much insulin given More exercise than normal

How do I Prevent Low Blood Glucose?

The best way to prevent low blood glucose is to take insulin based on the amount of carbohydrates you are eating, your blood glucose level, and your planned activity level. Plan ahead if you know you will be doing more activity than normal. Test your blood glucose regularly.

What do I Need to be Ready for a Low Blood Glucose?

Know YOUR signs of low blood glucose. Your family and friends will also need to learn your signs of low blood glucose so they can help you treat it. Always keep some form of sugar with you. Always keep your blood glucose meter with you. Always have a Glucagon Emergency Kit (see page 49). Always wear a medical necklace or bracelet, or carry a medical ID card in your wallet.

What are the Signs of Low Blood Glucose? Because sugar (glucose) is the main fuel for the brain, a sudden drop in the glucose level can cause the following symptoms:

Early Signs Late Signs Signs While Sleeping

shakiness Personality Change Nightmares

Nervousness Seizures Waking up suddenly

Stomach ache Confusion Sweating; wet clothes or sheets

Weakness Irritability, crankiness Fast heartbeat

Blurry vision Unconsciousness Can’t fall back to sleep; restless

Dizziness

Pale skin

Sweating

Headaches

How do I Treat Low Blood Glucose with the 15/15 Rule? Step 1: Stop what you are doing if you have any signs of low blood glucose, and check your blood glucose. You may have to:

Let your coach know you need a break. Leave class in the middle of a lesson and go to the nurse’s office.

Step 2: Read the results.

For children up to 1 year old, tre at blood glucose of 90 or below. For children 1 to 4 years old, treat a blood glucose of 80 or below. For children 5 years old or more, treat a blood glucose of 70 or below.

Step 3: Treat the low blood glucose with a 15 gram carbohydrate snack that works fast (Picture 1). This is called a fast-acting carbohydrate. If your blood glucose is low, your body needs sugar quickly. If these symptoms are not treated, seizures and/or unconsciousness can happen. Eat a 15 gram fast-acting carbohydrate. One of the following would be a good choice:

4 ounces of 100% fruit juice 3 to 4 glucose tablets 1 tube of glucose gel Candy, like Skittles or gummy bears.

Do not use candy bars or other candy that has fat.

Picture 1: Always carry some kind of glucose with you, like glucose tablets or fruit juice. Step 4: Check your blood glucose again in 15 minutes. Do this even if you feel better.

If your blood glucose is still below target range (70 - 80 mg/dl), repeat steps 3 and 4.

If your blood glucose is above target range (70-80 mg/dl) and it is more than 1 hour until your next meal, eat another 15 gram carbohydrate snack with protein. This can be any of the following:

Peanut butter or cheese and crackers

Half of a sandwich

Granola bar

One glass of milk

What do I do about Low Blood Glucose at Nighttime? It is a good idea to keep small boxes or cans of juice at your bedside to treat low blood glucose in the middle of the night. Make sure to follow up with a snack of 15 grams of complex carbohydrate and protein before going back to bed. Cheese and crackers are a good choice. You do not need to eat a full meal.

Important to Remember

        Remember, if blood glucose is below target before a meal, treat before you eat. When blood glucose is above 70 mg/dl, take your insulin before you eat a meal or another snack.



        If you have signs of low blood glucose, but cannot test your blood, you should treat for low blood glucose anyway. Use the 15/15 Rule, giving yourself 15 grams of carbohydrate and checking your blood glucose in 15 minutes.

Have a signal for your teacher or your coach that lets them know you are having signs of low blood glucose.

  Back to the Managing Your Diabetes Resource Book Table of Contents »

Hypoglycemia (said like: hi poe glie SEE mee ah), or low blood glucose, is the most common problem with insulin therapy. Low blood glucose is when the blood glucose falls below 70 mg/dl. Hypoglycemia can happen very quickly. What Causes Low Blood Glucose?

Not enough carbohydrates eaten Too much insulin given More exercise than normal

How do I Prevent Low Blood Glucose?

The best way to prevent low blood glucose is to take insulin based on the amount of carbohydrates you are eating, your blood glucose level, and your planned activity level. Plan ahead if you know you will be doing more activity than normal. Test your blood glucose regularly.

What do I Need to be Ready for a Low Blood Glucose?

Know YOUR signs of low blood glucose. Your family and friends will also need to learn your signs of low blood glucose so they can help you treat it. Always keep some form of sugar with you. Always keep your blood glucose meter with you. Always have a Glucagon Emergency Kit (see page 49). Always wear a medical necklace or bracelet, or carry a medical ID card in your wallet.

What are the Signs of Low Blood Glucose? Because sugar (glucose) is the main fuel for the brain, a sudden drop in the glucose level can cause the following symptoms:

Early Signs Late Signs Signs While Sleeping

shakiness Personality Change Nightmares

Nervousness Seizures Waking up suddenly

Stomach ache Confusion Sweating; wet clothes or sheets

Weakness Irritability, crankiness Fast heartbeat

Blurry vision Unconsciousness Can’t fall back to sleep; restless

Dizziness

Pale skin

Sweating

Headaches

How do I Treat Low Blood Glucose with the 15/15 Rule? Step 1: Stop what you are doing if you have any signs of low blood glucose, and check your blood glucose. You may have to:

Let your coach know you need a break. Leave class in the middle of a lesson and go to the nurse’s office.

Step 2: Read the results.

For children up to 1 year old, tre at blood glucose of 90 or below. For children 1 to 4 years old, treat a blood glucose of 80 or below. For children 5 years old or more, treat a blood glucose of 70 or below.

Step 3: Treat the low blood glucose with a 15 gram carbohydrate snack that works fast (Picture 1). This is called a fast-acting carbohydrate. If your blood glucose is low, your body needs sugar quickly. If these symptoms are not treated, seizures and/or unconsciousness can happen. Eat a 15 gram fast-acting carbohydrate. One of the following would be a good choice:

4 ounces of 100% fruit juice 3 to 4 glucose tablets 1 tube of glucose gel Candy, like Skittles or gummy bears.

Do not use candy bars or other candy that has fat.

Picture 1: Always carry some kind of glucose with you, like glucose tablets or fruit juice. Step 4: Check your blood glucose again in 15 minutes. Do this even if you feel better.

If your blood glucose is still below target range (70 - 80 mg/dl), repeat steps 3 and 4.

If your blood glucose is above target range (70-80 mg/dl) and it is more than 1 hour until your next meal, eat another 15 gram carbohydrate snack with protein. This can be any of the following:

Peanut butter or cheese and crackers

Half of a sandwich

Granola bar

One glass of milk

What do I do about Low Blood Glucose at Nighttime? It is a good idea to keep small boxes or cans of juice at your bedside to treat low blood glucose in the middle of the night. Make sure to follow up with a snack of 15 grams of complex carbohydrate and protein before going back to bed. Cheese and crackers are a good choice. You do not need to eat a full meal.

Important to Remember

        Remember, if blood glucose is below target before a meal, treat before you eat. When blood glucose is above 70 mg/dl, take your insulin before you eat a meal or another snack.



        If you have signs of low blood glucose, but cannot test your blood, you should treat for low blood glucose anyway. Use the 15/15 Rule, giving yourself 15 grams of carbohydrate and checking your blood glucose in 15 minutes.

Have a signal for your teacher or your coach that lets them know you are having signs of low blood glucose.

  Back to the Managing Your Diabetes Resource Book Table of Contents »

Hypoglycemia (said like: hi poe glie SEE mee ah), or low blood glucose, is the most common problem with insulin therapy. Low blood glucose is when the blood glucose falls below 70 mg/dl. Hypoglycemia can happen very quickly.

What Causes Low Blood Glucose?

  • Not enough carbohydrates eaten
  • Too much insulin given
  • More exercise than normal

How do I Prevent Low Blood Glucose?

  • The best way to prevent low blood glucose is to take insulin based on the amount of carbohydrates you are eating, your blood glucose level, and your planned activity level.
  • Plan ahead if you know you will be doing more activity than normal.
  • Test your blood glucose regularly.

What do I Need to be Ready for a Low Blood Glucose?

  • Know YOUR signs of low blood glucose. Your family and friends will also need to learn your signs of low blood glucose so they can help you treat it.
  • Always keep some form of sugar with you.
  • Always keep your blood glucose meter with you.
  • Always have a Glucagon Emergency Kit (see page 49).
  • Always wear a medical necklace or bracelet, or carry a medical ID card in your wallet.

What are the Signs of Low Blood Glucose?

Because sugar (glucose) is the main fuel for the brain, a sudden drop in the glucose level can cause the following symptoms:

How do I Treat Low Blood Glucose with the 15/15 Rule?

Step 1: Stop what you are doing if you have any signs of low blood glucose, and check your blood glucose. You may have to:

  • Let your coach know you need a break.
  • Leave class in the middle of a lesson and go to the nurse’s office.

Step 2: Read the results.

  • For children up to 1 year old, tre
  • at blood glucose of 90 or below.
  • For children 1 to 4 years old, treat a blood glucose of 80 or below.
  • For children 5 years old or more, treat a blood glucose of 70 or below.

Step 3: Treat the low blood glucose with a 15 gram carbohydrate snack that works fast (Picture 1). This is called a fast-acting carbohydrate. If your blood glucose is low, your body needs sugar quickly. If these symptoms are not treated, seizures and/or unconsciousness can happen.

For children up to 1 year old, tre

Eat a 15 gram fast-acting carbohydrate. One of the following would be a good choice:

  • 4 ounces of 100% fruit juice
  • 3 to 4 glucose tablets
  • 1 tube of glucose gel
  • Candy, like Skittles or gummy bears.

Do not use candy bars or other candy that has fat.

Picture 1: Always carry some kind of glucose with you, like glucose tablets or fruit juice.

Step 4: Check your blood glucose again in 15 minutes. Do this even if you feel better.

  • If your blood glucose is still below target range (70 - 80 mg/dl), repeat steps 3 and 4.
  • If your blood glucose is above target range (70-80 mg/dl) and it is more than 1 hour until your next meal, eat another 15 gram carbohydrate snack with protein. This can be any of the following:
  • Peanut butter or cheese and crackers
  • Half of a sandwich
  • Granola bar
  • One glass of milk

What do I do about Low Blood Glucose at Nighttime?

It is a good idea to keep small boxes or cans of juice at your bedside to treat low blood glucose in the middle of the night. Make sure to follow up with a snack of 15 grams of complex carbohydrate and protein before going back to bed. Cheese and crackers are a good choice. You do not need to eat a full meal.

If your blood glucose is still below target range (70 - 80 mg/dl), repeat steps 3 and 4.

If your blood glucose is above target range (70-80 mg/dl) and it is more than 1 hour until your next meal, eat another 15 gram carbohydrate snack with protein. This can be any of the following:

  • Peanut butter or cheese and crackers
  • Half of a sandwich
  • Granola bar
  • One glass of milk

Peanut butter or cheese and crackers

Half of a sandwich

Granola bar

One glass of milk

 

Back to the Managing Your Diabetes Resource Book Table of Contents »