How to Test for Hypoglycaemia? Symptoms of Hypoglycaemia

September 22, 2023

The body’s primary source of energy comes from glucose, which we mainly consume as carbohydrates. Hypoglycaemia, also known as low blood sugar or low blood glucose, is a condition characterised by a significant drop in your blood sugar level.

It is normal for your blood sugar level to rise and fall throughout the day, depending on several factors. However, when it falls below a healthy range of 4 – 5.9 mmol/L, typically if you haven’t eaten in a while, you may experience adverse symptoms. .

It is not uncommon for people with diabetes to encounter episodes of hypoglycaemia as a side effect of insulin or other types of diabetes medication. Newly diagnosed diabetics will most likely experience mild to moderate symptoms as their body adjusts to treatment.

Although most commonly found in people with diabetes, it is also possible for people who don't have diabetes to experience symptoms of hypoglycaemia. Especially in those who have not eaten for a few hours.

Symptoms of Hypoglycaemia

The symptoms of hypoglycaemia range from mild to severe, depending on how low your blood glucose level gets. At 3,9 mmol/L, you may feel mild symptoms of hypoglycaemia, but this may get more severe the lower it goes. Severe hypoglycaemia typically occurs in people with blood sugar less than 3 mmol/L.

People with mild hypoglycaemia may experience the following symptoms:

Blurred vision
Insatiable hunger
Severe headaches and sweating
Skin appearing pale or feeling cold/clamminess
Confusion or disorientation
Feeling weak, sleepy, or tired
Trouble concentrating
Dizziness or light-headedness
Rapid or irregular heart rate

People with severe hypoglycaemia may experience the following symptoms:

Mood swings or changes in personality
Body tremors or trembling
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort
Becoming cranky, argumentative, or combative
Numbness of the tongue, lips, or cheek
Seizures or convulsions
Loss of consciousness or coma

Check your blood sugar levels if you experience any of the above symptoms, even if you don’t have diabetes. You can also consume quick-release glucose supplements to boost your sugar levels if you feel these symptoms between meals. If your symptoms are severe or persistent please call 111 or speak to a Doctor.

Testing for Hypoglycaemia?

The best way to ascertain if you have hypoglycaemia is to check your blood sugar level using a blood glucose meter (called a glucometer). However, there are common treatments you can use to boost your glucose level even if you are unable to check your blood sugar level.

If you’re diabetic

Most people with diabetes will already have a blood glucose meter available, but you can easily get one if you don’t have one already. This handy (often portable) device will allow you to check your blood sugar level anytime, anywhere.

Using a blood glucose meter

Although blood glucose meters come in many shapes and sizes, they all come with a testing device and a pack of disposable test strips. Their method of operation remains fairly similar.

Wash your hands under running water.
Slot a test strip into your glucometer.
Carefully prick the side of a fingertip to get a drop of blood using a finger pricker.
Touch the drop of blood on the edge of the test strip.
The glucometer will show your blood sugar level.

If you don't have diabetes (non-diabetic)

If you are experiencing symptoms of hypoglycaemia without a history of diabetes, you should contact your doctor or call 111 immediately. This could be a side-effect of an underlying problem and your doctor will carry out a comprehensive examination to find out the root cause.

A blood test will also be carried out to check your blood sugar level. You should take note of the factors that trigger your hypoglycaemic episodes as you may need to develop these symptoms during a medical exam.

Some people may experience symptoms of hypoglycaemia when they have not eaten for a few hours, are severely ill, or have a hormone deficiency. Taking diabetes medication when you are a non-diabetic can also cause significant changes to your body’s glucose levels.

Contrasting Diagnosis

The above symptoms are not exclusive to hypoglycaemia. It is possible to experience symptoms even when your blood sugar levels are normal. There are several other medical conditions which can result in hypoglycaemic-like episodes. These include: