Low Glucose Levels

Low glucose levels are also called low blood sugar levels, or hypoglycemia. People with diabetes can experience episodes of low blood sugar, but so can some people who do not have diabetes.

Definition

• If you have low glucose levels, it means that your blood glucose has dropped lower than the normal range. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, a blood sugar reading should be above 70mg/dL whether fasting or after a meal, whether you are diabetic or not.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of low glucose levels include dizziness, sleepiness, fatigue, shakiness and general weakness. Mental confusion, anxiety and night sweats are also symptoms.

Causes

• For diabetics, low glucose levels can come from reactions to the diabetes medications or insulin they use, along with what they eat or drink. Non-diabetics can have low glucose levels because of hereditary predisposition, stomach surgeries, hormone deficiencies, too much alcohol and other causes, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse.

Remedies

• The best short-term remedy for hypoglycemia is to eat or drink a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as juice, milk, or candy. Check your blood sugar to see that it comes back up over 70mg/dL.

Consequences

• Low blood sugar level can lead you to problems driving, difficuly keeping up with your job and and family responsibilities or even just problems staying alert and on your feet. A coma or even death can result without treatment to raise low blood sugar, if the levels are extremely low.