Low blood glucose levels or hypoglycemia
Please note that how you manage your or your child’s type 1 diabetes is a personal decision between you and your healthcare team. Breakthrough T1D Canada content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding type 1 diabetes or any medical condition.
What is hypoglycemia?
When you have too little glucose in your blood, it is called a ‘low’ or hypoglycemia.
Low blood glucose levels in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) usually means anything lower than 4.0 mmol/L. Hypoglycemia is common in people with T1D. In fact, most people with T1D have several episodes of of mild-to-moderate hypoglycemia a week.
Common causes of hypoglycemia include:
- Taking too much insulin
- A mismatch between the carbs eaten and the amount of insulin you take
- Timing of the insulin dose
- Physical activity
Sometimes, hypoglycemia is caused by things you cannot control, including:
- Hot and humid weather
- Interruptions in the usual schedule
- High altitude
- Going through puberty
- Having your menstrual period
It is important to recognize the signs of hypoglycemia because when blood glucose levels are low, you or your loved one may lose consciousness or have a seizure.
How to treat a low
Treating hypoglycemia depends on the state of the person with T1D.
If the person is conscious and able to safely eat, drink, and swallow:
- Eat or drink 15 grams of fast-acting sugar.
- Wait 10-15 minutes then recheck blood glucose levels.
- If levels are still low, repeat the first two steps until blood glucose is in range.
If the person is demonstrating signs of severe hypoglycemia and is unable to swallow, unconscious, or having a seizure:
- Stay calm.
- Treat with a dose of glucagon.
- Turn the person on their side.
- Call 911 and stay with them until emergency help arrives.
- Call the person’s caregiver or emergency contact.
Be prepared to treat lows
- Have fast-acting sugar on hand at all times. Fast-acting sugar includes glucose tablets or gels, fruit snacks, or juice.
- Have glucagon that is easy to access. It may make sense to have glucagon at home, at school or work, and with you at all times as part of your travel supplies.
- Be sure that others are aware of you or your loved one’s T1D, understand how to spot and treat severe hypoglycemia, and have what they need to treat it.
Glucagon is a hormone used in emergency situations
For people with T1D, emergency glucagon is used when blood-glucose levels become dangerously low. Glucagon can be given by injection, auto-injection pen, or nasal spray. Like insulin, it is available only by prescription.
When to use glucagon
Glucagon is generally used when a person with T1D is experiencing a severely low glucose level and is unable to swallow to treat with rapid-acting carbohydrates (e.g., juice or candy), unconscious, or having a hypoglycemic seizure.
It is important to have glucagon on hand in case of an emergency and ensure others (especially caregivers, partners, and roommates) know where it is kept and how to use it.
How to use glucagon
Glucagon can be administered through injection, auto-injection pen, or nasal spray.
Directions on how to administer each type of glucagon are included with product packaging. Familiarize yourself with how to use glucagon as soon as you receive it and ask your diabetes educator, pharmacist, or healthcare provider for further explanation if needed.
Routinely check your prescription’s expiration date and replace it as needed.