Managing hypoglycaemia

What is hypogycaemia?

For people with diabetes that are treated with insulin, hypoglycaemia (or "hypos") is when your blood glucose level falls below 4.0 mmol/L. Remember that 4 is the floor! Some people get symptoms with hypoglycaemia:

• Tiredness/drowsiness
• Change in skin tone - pale
• Glazed eyes
• Feeling faint/dizzy
• Headache
• Shaking
• Sweating
• Hunger
• Mood change, quiet or Irritable
• Loss of consciousness

What causes hypoglycaemia?

Hypos usually occur when there is too much insulin around for what the body needs. For example:

• When you are unwell, especially with a vomiting illness
• If you have had too much insulin with food (or you don't finish your food)
• During or after exercise, as the muscles recharge their energy stores
• Drinking alcohol

How do I treat hypoglycaemia?

For a blood glucose less than 4.0 mmol/L:

1. Give 5-15 grams of quick acting glucose or sucrose:
   • 5 grams for children under 2 years of age
   • 10 grams for children between 2 and 5 years of age
   • 15 grams for those over 5 years of age

   Quick acting glucose/sucrose	5 grams	10 grams	15 grams
   Gluco-tabs	1 (4 grams)	3	4
   Dextro Energy tablets	2	3	5
   Lucozade energy	60ml	110ml	170ml
   Orange juice	50ml	100ml	150ml
   Cola (not diet)	50ml	100ml	150ml
   Jelly babies	1	2	3

2. Retest Blood Glucose after 15 minutes:
   • If the blood glucose above 5.6mmol/L - no further action needed.
   • If blood glucose 5.5mmol/L or below repeat above cycle until blood glucose 5.6mmol/L above.
   • If you have had to repeat the treatment more than 2 times, OR your'e about to start some exercise OR it’s bedtime; a 10-15 gram carbohydrate snack is (e.g. medium slice of toast, 2 rich tea biscuits, 200ml milk).

If the hypo happens before a planned meal, treat the hypo as above, then give insulin for the meal only (i.e. no correction dose).

This guide is also available to download (see related files).