Guide
Low Blood Sugar Warning Signs: Causes, First Steps and When to Call 911
Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, means glucose below what is healthy for you, often under 70 mg/dL in people with diabetes. Signs include shakiness, sweating, hunger, a fast heartbeat and confusion. Follow the plan from your care team. Fainting, a seizure or inability to wake means call 911.
Written by the SugarReset label deskUpdated
What it is01
What is low blood sugar?
Glucose that has fallen below the level that is healthy for you. The body then cannot run well, especially the brain.
For many people with diabetes, a reading under 70 mg/dL counts as low, but your number may differ, so ask your care team what yours is (NIDDK, Low Blood Glucose). In people without diabetes, a low is usually under 55 mg/dL (MedlinePlus, Hypoglycemia). It is most common in people with diabetes who take insulin or certain other diabetes medicines.
Low glucose is not a small matter. It can come on in minutes and, if it is severe, it can lead to a seizure or loss of consciousness.
Signs02
What are the warning signs?
Signs range from mild to severe, and not everyone gets the early ones.
| Level | Signs | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mild to moderate | Shaky, sweaty, hungry, dizzy, a fast heartbeat, a headache, irritable, trouble seeing or speaking | Follow your care team's plan for a low; then call them the same day |
| Severe | Confusion, fainting, a seizure, unable to eat or drink or to wake | Call 911. Do not give food or drink to a person who cannot swallow safely |
| At night | Night sweats, nightmares, waking with a headache | Tell your care team; they may adjust your plan |
Some people lose the early warning signs after years of diabetes. If that is you, tell your care team, who may suggest a sensor with alarms. The signs above are drawn from the NIDDK and MedlinePlus (NIDDK, Low Blood Glucose).
Causes03
What causes a low?
Usually too much medicine for the food and activity of the day.
- Insulin or a pill taken without enough food, or a larger dose than needed.
- A late or skipped meal, or too few carbohydrates.
- More activity than usual.
- Alcohol, especially on an empty stomach.
- A new medicine or supplement that adds to the effect of the current one.
Lows can also happen in people who do not have diabetes, for other medical reasons, which a clinician can look into (MedlinePlus, Hypoglycemia).
First steps04
What should you do?
Follow the plan your care team gave you. If you do not have one, ask for it at your next visit.
Many plans use fast-acting carbohydrate, such as glucose tablets or juice, then a re-check and a snack if the next meal is far off. The exact steps vary by person, which is why a written plan from your care team matters more than a general list. Tell the people you live with the signs and what to do.
Call 911. A person who is confused, fainting or having a seizure needs emergency care. Do not drive them yourself if they are unwell.
Supplements05
Why does this matter for supplements?
A supplement that acts on glucose can add to a medicine that already lowers it.
Some ingredients have been studied for glucose in small trials. Examples include chromium, gymnema and ginseng (Asbaghi et al. 2020). If any of them acts in your body, and you take insulin or a sulfonylurea, the combined effect may be larger than your dose was planned for. That is the reason this site tells medicine users to ask a prescriber or pharmacist first, and to keep checking glucose as told.
The SugarReset label names none of these effects and no condition. We raise the issue because the names are in the blend, not because the product has been shown to lower anything.
Prevention06
How can people reduce the chance of lows?
By matching medicine, food and activity, and by having a plan ready.
- Take medicines as prescribed and keep regular meal times.
- Check glucose as your care team advises, especially before driving, exercise or sleep.
- Carry fast-acting carbohydrate everywhere.
- Be careful with alcohol, and do not drink on an empty stomach.
- Tell your care team about any new medicine or supplement before you start.
A medical alert bracelet or card can help others act quickly if you cannot speak. Ask your care team whether one is right for you.
SugarReset: 60 ml dropper bottle, 60 servingsPacks of 2, 3 or 6 bottles · live total shown at checkout · 60-day guarantee per the sales page
See packsFor family and friends07
What can the people around you do?
Learn the signs, know the plan and know when to call 911.
A person with a low may not realize they are in trouble, and may refuse help or seem drunk. If they are awake and able to swallow, help them follow their plan. If they are confused beyond that, drowsy, unable to swallow or having a seizure, call 911 and stay with them. Do not put food or drink in the mouth of someone who cannot swallow safely.
Tell the dispatcher that the person has diabetes and what medicines they take, and bring the bottles to the hospital, including any supplement. That detail can help the team work out what is happening.
Afterwards08
What should you do after a low?
Tell your care team, even if it passed, and write down what you think caused it.
A single low may be explained by a missed meal or extra activity. A pattern needs a change in the plan. Write down the time, the reading, what you ate and did, your medicines and any new product. Bring the note to your next appointment, or call sooner if lows are frequent or severe.
If you started a supplement shortly before a low, say so clearly, and bring the label. Do not stop a medicine to prevent lows. Your prescriber can adjust the dose safely, and stopping on your own can cause high glucose and other harm.
Ask your team09
What should you ask about lows?
Four questions, with answers written down.
What is a low for me?
Ask for a number.
What should I do, step by step?
Ask for it in writing.
Who should know?
Family, friends, co-workers; ask about a glucagon product if appropriate.
What counts as a reason to call?
Ask when to call you and when to call 911.
Bring up any new supplement at the same visit.
Driving and work10
What about driving and work?
Check glucose before you drive, if your care team advises it, and never drive with signs of a low.
A low can slow thinking and reaction, so signs while driving are dangerous. If you feel any, stop in a safe place and follow your plan. Many employers and licensing offices have rules for people on insulin, which your care team can explain. Keep fast-acting carbohydrate within reach in the car and at work.
None of this is a reason to hide diabetes. It is a reason to plan.
FAQ11
SugarReset questions people ask
What is a low blood sugar level?
For many people with diabetes, under 70 mg/dL. Your own number may differ, so ask your care team.
Can SugarReset cause low blood sugar?
It may add to the effect of diabetes medicines for people who take them. Ask a prescriber first.
When do I call 911?
For confusion, fainting, a seizure or being unable to wake.
Can people without diabetes have lows?
Yes, rarely, for other medical reasons. See a clinician.
Who wrote this12
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label images, seller information and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is the information site for a U.S. authorized retailer of SugarReset. It is not the manufacturer or the distributor named on the label. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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