Severe Hypos & Emergencies - The Diabetes Link

Hypos vs Severe Hypos

There are a few classifications of low blood sugars. Mild low blood sugars are less than 70mg/dL. Moderate hypoglycemia is usually defined as less than 54 mg/dL and severe lows are when your blood sugar has affected your ability to think/control your body so you need help to treat it, and could include symptoms like loss of consciousness, seizures, or coma. 

When is a low considered an emergency?

There is no magic number that makes a low blood sugar an emergency. The emergency is in the symptoms. There may be a time where your meter or CGM just says “LOW” but if you are awake and able to eat or drink, treat that low friend! You also might be 85 but feeling shaky and sweaty… 

The emergency is when you aren’t able to treat by yourself. In medical language, we call this “hypoglycemia requiring outside assistance.” This could be as simple as you are still awake but too shaky or disoriented to get your own juice, or as severe as unconsciousness or having a seizure from the low. 

What should I share with my endo/medical team?

If someone is able to help you treat, and you are able to get that blood sugar up without losing consciousness, you’ve avoided an emergency. Your endo team needs to know about lows that require outside assistance at your next appointment. If you have more than one low blood sugar that you can’t treat yourself, that should be a phone call or message to the office. They may be able to make some dose adjustments to help. 

A true hypoglycemic emergency is defined as unconsciousness or having a seizure from a low blood sugar. This is where it’s time to give glucagon (preferably ready-to-use glucagon), and also call 911/your local emergency services. 

How to be prepared for the scary stuff: seizures

If a low blood sugar leads to a seizure, ready-to-use glucagon should be given and emergency services called. Make sure you know the expiration date, and train your friends and family on…

• the type of glucagon you have (preferably ready-to-use glucagon)
• where you store it
• when and how to administer it to you

Once that medication is given, the person who has administered it should roll you on your side and then call emergency services. 

Wondering how to help prepare your roommates or friends to be prepared in case of an emergency? Check this resource out!

Sources 

1. https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/hypoglycemia-low-blood-glucose/severe
2. https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/severe-hypoglycemia
3. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/treatment/treatment-low-blood-sugar-hypoglycemia.html

This resource is supported by Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and Dexcom. The Diabetes Link maintains editorial control over content.