How to Rebuild Confidence After a Scary Low Blood Sugar

While low blood sugar levels are an unfortunate part of living with diabetes, regaining confidence after experiencing a severe low is important. 

What causes low blood sugars? 

Anyone who takes blood sugar-lowering medication can face low blood sugar. 

Causes vary, but some reasons may include:

• Taking too much insulin
• Not eating enough food
• Strenuous exercise
• Certain medications, including changes in insulin
• Hormonal changes
• Elevation and altitude change 
• Hot weather
• Mismatched timing of insulin and food consumption 
• Alcohol 
• Missed or late meals
• Changing time zones 

What is considered a scary low blood sugar level?

For most people, blood sugar levels are considered low (hypoglycemic) once they reach 70 mg/dL. “Scary” can be subjective, but severely low blood sugar levels are usually anything lower than 55 mg/dL. 

Once blood sugar levels reach this low, it may inhibit your ability to chew, swallow, operate machinery such as a motor vehicle, work, sit-up straight, or think clearly. 

It is important to treat low blood sugar levels as soon as possible with a fast-acting source of sugar, such as juice, glucose tablets, or gels. 

Steps to build confidence after a scary low 

Experiencing a scary low can shake even the calmest of us with diabetes. However, here are a few things you can do to rebuild confidence and equip yourself to move forward with grace.

What to do right now

• Carry fast acting  glucose with you always

This is a must for everyone with diabetes, but it can especially help you tackle your day with confidence after a scary low. Always carry fast-acting sugar or glucose with you to treat a low. 

Some examples of great low snacks (that are 15 carbs) include:

• 4 oz of apple juice
• 3-4 glucose tabs
• 1 pack of fruit snacks
• 1 tablespoon of honey

• Use the “15-15” rule:
• Eat or drink fifteen grams of fast-acting carbohydrates to raise your blood sugar
• After fifteen minutes, check your blood sugar
• If it’s still below 70 mg/dL, eat or drink another fifteen grams of fast-acting carbohydrates

Repeat until blood sugar levels are above 70 mg/dL. 

• Train friends and family on what to do in case you experience a severe low 

Your friends, family, and those with whom you are in close proximity should all know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar and what to do if you cannot treat it yourself.

If you lose consciousness or cannot chew or swallow, your loved ones should know how to administer emergency glucagon, and they should call 911 immediately. 

What to do within the next week

• Review medications with your doctor

If you’re experiencing scary lows, it might be time to review your medications and their dosages with your doctor. 

This can help you regain confidence to dose without fear; it always helps to have your doctor give your care plan a fresh glance every now and again! 

While you’re there, ask your doctor to write a prescription for glucagon, if you don’t already have one,  and be sure to get it filled! 

• Take notes on what causes you to drop quickly, and make a plan to address it 

Take notes on what you were doing before the scary low occurred. Maybe you forgot to eat lunch and then went for a long swim, or maybe you were out all day and forgot to eat dinner. 

Reflect and take notes on what happened so you can learn your body’s unique trends and prepare for next time!

• Wear a medical alert bracelet 

Having some medical identification on you is always a good idea, especially if you experience a severe low. 

Wearing a medical alert bracelet can let strangers or emergency medical technicians (EMTs) know that you have diabetes, so they can take quick action to get you the help you need.

Medical alert bracelets are a stylish way to go out with confidence that if you run into trouble, someone will be able to know what to do. 

What to do within the next month 

• Try a continuous glucose monitor (CGM)

If you’re not already using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM)  one can be extremely helpful in managing blood sugar levels by providing real time alerts and insights into where your glucose is heading. 

Severe low blood sugars can be scary, but by making a few changes to your diabetes management with the help of your doctor, leaning on friends and family for support, and learning more about your body’s patterns and cues, they can happen less often and feel far more manageable. 

You’re not alone in dealing with lows! If you need more support with your diabetes management, visit our resources in Beyond Diagnosis, including our Community Guide of advice from people who live with diabetes. 

This content was made possible by Xeris Pharmaceuticals, an active partner of Beyond Type 1. Beyond Type 1 maintains editorial control over its content.