How to Tell if Blood Sugar Is Low

Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, is a condition that's usually characterized by distinctive symptoms, such as clumsiness, irritability and shaking. Low blood sugar commonly affects diabetics or people with hypoglycemia. If you think that your blood sugar might be low, drink or eat something to help raise your blood glucose levels quickly. This includes hard candy, fruit juice, glucose tables or a tablespoon of either jelly or sugar. Familiarizing yourself with the signs and symptoms is vital, because, if left untreated, hypoglycemia can lead to confusion and loss of consciousness.

Things You'll Need

• Blood sugar meter
• Test strips
• Food
• Glucose tablets

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Instructions

• 1

  Examine your symptoms. Common signs of low blood sugar include a shaky feeling, increased perspiration, irritability, hunger, loss of coordination/clumsiness, headache, weakness, blurry vision, rapid heartbeat and confusion.

• 2

  Think about your recent activities. Have you skipped a meal or regular snack? Did you exercise more intensely, or are you taking new medication? Common causes of hypoglycemia include delayed eating, not eating adequate amounts of food at a meal, taking too much insulin, drinking alcohol without buffering it with an adequate amount of food and exercising more than normal.

• 3

  If possible, check your blood sugar. This is the only way to know what your level is and to most effectively treat yourself. Levels below 70 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) are considered to be low.