Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Hypoglycemia?SymptomsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Hypoglycemia?
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
When an individual hashypoglycemia—which is a blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL—it’s usually connected to diabetes, but it is possible to have nondiabetic hypoglycemia.
When this happens, the blood sugar is still extremely low, but some of the issues that could occur are not as extreme because the person is not diabetic.
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Hypoglycemia means a person has an abnormally low blood glucose level. This is also known as a low blood sugar level.
Hypoglycemia Overview
The brain depends on blood sugar as its main source of energy and if the levels are low, the brain can’t function properly. When hypoglycemia triggers brain function, it can cause:
Hypoglycemia also interferes with the release of body hormones, including two hormones that the brain depends on to increase blood sugar levels:
The release of these hormones is known to cause:
Although hypoglycemia is common in individuals who have diabetes, there are individuals who are nondiabetic that can have hypoglycemia.
Types of Nondiabetic HypoglycemiaThere are two types of nondiabetic hypoglycemia:Reactive hypoglycemia:This can happen within a few hours of eating a meal.Fasting hypoglycemia:This can be related to disease and other lifestyle factors.
Types of Nondiabetic Hypoglycemia
There are two types of nondiabetic hypoglycemia:Reactive hypoglycemia:This can happen within a few hours of eating a meal.Fasting hypoglycemia:This can be related to disease and other lifestyle factors.
There are two types of nondiabetic hypoglycemia:
Some of the conditions that are related to nondiabetic hypoglycemia include the following:
Symptoms of Hypoglycemia
Some of the symptoms of hypoglycemia include the following:
It is important to contact a healthcare professional if these symptoms are presented.
Verywell / Laura Porter
Although the blood glucose level is an important part of the exam, it doesn’t give the full diagnosis.
The doctor will most likely order other tests based on the symptoms presented. Typically, a blood test is given to look at insulin levels, cortisol levels, and liver function.
To diagnose reactive hypoglycemia, the doctor may order a mixed-meal tolerance test. This drink is known to cause the body to make more insulin and raise blood glucose.
The liquid substance contains fats, sugars, and proteins. Once this is consumed, the blood glucose level is checked several times over a five-hour span. The doctor may also want the individual to use acontinuous glucose monitoring device. To diagnose fasting hypoglycemia, the blood glucose should be checked every few hours while the individual is fasting over a few days.
Treating nondiabetic hypoglycemiadepends on the specific cause of the condition.
If an individual is on a medication that is causing hypoglycemia, a conversation with their doctor to change the medication is necessary. Depending on why they are taking the medicine is a factor. It is important to work closely with a healthcare professional to determine the best plan and outcome.
Other factors could be dietary. Working with a doctor and/or a dietitian to help with nutrition options is helpful. They can create a plan that will give a balanced diet tailored to the need of the person.
Progression to DiabetesA diagnosis of diabetes can be life-changing. If an individual ishypoglycemic, it is important to keep an eye on blood sugar, eat a properly balanced diet, and exercise regularly to avoid diabetes. Working closely with the doctor can help manage the condition.
Progression to Diabetes
A diagnosis of diabetes can be life-changing. If an individual ishypoglycemic, it is important to keep an eye on blood sugar, eat a properly balanced diet, and exercise regularly to avoid diabetes. Working closely with the doctor can help manage the condition.
A Word From Verywell
If you have any symptoms of nondiabetic hypoglycemia, it is important to call your medical professional. They can help you determine a diagnosis and give you options for treatment and preventative measures as it relates to diabetes.
Although some nondiabetic hypoglycemia symptoms can look familiar, it is important that you pay attention and speak with a healthcare provider. Depending on your specific lifestyle and condition, they can help you create a plan that works best for your lifestyle.
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health.Hypoglycemia.Margaret Eckert-Norton, PhD, Susan Kirk, MD.Non-diabetic hypoglycemia.The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 98, Issue 10, 1 October 2013, Pages 39A–40A. doi:10.1210/jc.2013-v98i10.39A
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health.Hypoglycemia.Margaret Eckert-Norton, PhD, Susan Kirk, MD.Non-diabetic hypoglycemia.The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 98, Issue 10, 1 October 2013, Pages 39A–40A. doi:10.1210/jc.2013-v98i10.39A
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Harvard Health.Hypoglycemia.Margaret Eckert-Norton, PhD, Susan Kirk, MD.Non-diabetic hypoglycemia.The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 98, Issue 10, 1 October 2013, Pages 39A–40A. doi:10.1210/jc.2013-v98i10.39A
Harvard Health.Hypoglycemia.
Margaret Eckert-Norton, PhD, Susan Kirk, MD.Non-diabetic hypoglycemia.The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 98, Issue 10, 1 October 2013, Pages 39A–40A. doi:10.1210/jc.2013-v98i10.39A
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