Is it bad to have low blood sugar levels?

Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, occurs when your blood sugar levels drop below the normal range. Normal blood sugar levels range from 70 to 110 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) before meals and from 90 to 130 mg/dL two hours after a meal.

Mild hypoglycemia (blood sugar levels below 70 mg/dL) can cause:

- Hunger

- Shakiness

- Sweating

- Headache

- Dizziness

- Blurred vision

- Irritability

- Fast heartbeat

Severe hypoglycemia (blood sugar levels below 54 mg/dL) can cause:

- Confusion

- Seizures

- Loss of consciousness

- Brain damage

- Death

Low blood sugar levels are not necessarily bad, and can even be beneficial in certain situations. For example, low blood sugar levels can help to protect against type 2 diabetes and heart disease. However, low blood sugar levels can also be dangerous, especially if they drop too low.

If you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia, it is important to eat or drink something that contains sugar immediately. You should also see your doctor if you experience recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia.