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(08) 6110 0570admin@pdchealthhub.com.auHypoglycaemia, or a hypo, is a blood glucose level below 4.0 mmol/L. It mainly affects people who take insulin or certain diabetes tablets such as sulfonylureas, and it needs treating straight away.
Early signs include shaking, sweating, hunger, a fast heartbeat, dizziness and changes in mood or concentration. Some people, particularly after many years of diabetes, lose these warning signs. This is called hypoglycaemia unawareness.
Standard treatment is about 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate, such as glucose tablets, jelly beans or regular soft drink, then a recheck after 15 minutes, repeating if still below 4.0 mmol/L. Once above 4.0 mmol/L, have some longer-acting carbohydrate if a meal is not due. Follow your own hypo plan if it differs.
A severe hypo, where someone cannot safely swallow or is unconscious, is an emergency. Do not give anything by mouth: place them on their side, give glucagon if it has been prescribed and you are trained, and call 000.
Our clinicians can explain how this applies to you and help with the next step, whether that is a referral, a device, funding or a plan the rest of the team can see.
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