Learn about blood sugar level

Hypoglycemia Treatment

Your treatment plan for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) depends on what is causing your blood sugar level to drop too low.

A diagnosis of hypoglycemia is not based only on symptoms. Rather, endocrinologists look for the presence Whipple's Triad, named for Allen O.Whipple, MD. These three factors help doctors diagnose hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar (blood glucose). Whipple's Triad involves:

Hypoglycemia Causes

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a disorder that most commonly affects people with diabetes, but it can also affect those without diabetes. People who do not have diabetes but who exhibit signs and/or symptoms of hypoglycemia may need to undergo testing to pinpoint the cause.

Hypoglycemia Symptoms

When glucose drops below normal levels, you may develop symptoms of low blood sugar (low blood glucose). Your body needs the right amount of glucose to operate efficiently, and low blood glucose can lead to a variety of symptoms affecting different parts of your body (e.g., eyes and heart). Possible symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

Hypoglycemia Overview

Hypoglycemia means low (hypo) glucose (gly) in the blood (emia). Your body needs glucose to properly function. Your cells rely on glucose for energy.

Hyperglycemia: When Your Blood Glucose Level Goes Too High

Hyperglycemia means high (hyper) glucose (gly) in the blood (emia). Your body needs glucose to properly function. Your cells rely on glucose for energy. Hyperglycemia is a defining characteristic of diabetes—when the blood glucose level is too high because the body isn't properly using or doesn't make the hormone insulin.