NEWS & EVENTS 
SPECIALTY CARE
Recognizing and Treating Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
Updated: 04/13/26
A simple and easy 1-page handout for patients on recognizing and treating low blood sugar.
Expand to read the text of this print resource.
Hypoglycemia
What is a hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)?
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, occurs when blood glucose levels fall below 70 mg/dL in a person with diabetes. Reasons for low blood sugar may include: too much insulin, the wrong kind or dose of your diabetes pills, exercising more than usual, too little food can cause your blood sugar to go too low, or drinking alcohol without eating.
How will I feel when my blood sugar is too low?
When the blood sugar is too low, you may have or exhibit one or more of the following: sweating, dizziness, shaking, a fast heartbeat, irritability or anxiety, hunger, headache, blurred vision, confusion or difficulty concentrating, seizures or loss of consciousness. Everyone has a slightly different reaction to hypoglycemia.
Do these feelings always mean my blood sugars are too low?
You may have this reaction even if your blood sugar is not <70 mg/dL if your blood sugar has been high for a long time. You can’t always count on the way you feel to tell you if your blood sugar is really low. Checking your blood sugar is the only way to be sure.
How do I treat a low blood sugar?
You need to treat a low blood sugar by taking ingesting sugar to quickly bring up your blood sugar. Liquids tend to work faster than food. Food with fat and/or protein do not work as fast to bring up blood glucose. One simple way to remember how to treat hypoglycemia is to follow the rule of 15s:
- Check blood sugar with a glucometer or CGM to confirm it is <70 mg/dL
- Ingest 15 gm of fast-acting carbohydrates (see below for options)
- Wait 15 minutes and check blood sugar again
- If still <70 mg/dL, repeat steps 2 and 3.
Hypoglycemia can be life-threatening and needs to be treated. We recommend always keeping fast acting carbs on hand to treat hypoglycemia. We also recommend discussing symptoms with family and developing an action plan to treat lows. Wearing identification that says you have diabetes can ensure you get the help you need when you are away from home. You should also never drive when your blood sugar is low. When your blood sugar is low, your ability to drive safely can be impaired, much like it is with alcohol. If you experience hypoglycemia while driving, pull over, treat, and wait until your blood sugar has improved and your symptoms have resolved before you drive again.
What are fasting acting-carbohydrate options?
Glucose tablets | 3 to 4 |
Regular pop | 1/2 cup (4 ounces) |
Juice (orange, apple, grape, cranberry) | 1/2 cup (4 ounces) |
Hard candy | 4 to 10 |
Sugar packets | 1 packet |
Fruit snacks | 1 small package |
What should I do if I am unable to safely chew or swallow?
If you are awake and able to chew and swallow safely, eating a fast-acting carbohydrate is always preferred. However, if you are unconscious or confused in a way that affects your ability to chew and swallow without choking, there is an injection or nasal spray called glucagon that family, friends, or coworkers can administer. Ask your doctor if a prescription for glucagon is right for you.
What should I do after a reaction?
After a reaction, think about things that may have caused the low blood sugar (medications, not eating, exercise) and make note of this. If hypoglycemia occurs >2 times in a week, was low enough for you to need someone to help you get to sugar, or you required glucagon, you should call your provider as your medications may need to be adjusted.
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Support for The Michigan Collaborative for Type 2 Diabetes (MCT2D) is provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan as part of the BCBSM Value Partnerships program.
Although Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and MCT2D work collaboratively, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of BCBSM or any of its employees.