Immediate treatment
Once you notice your hypo warnings, take action quickly or it is likely to become more severe, and you may become unconscious or have a fit.
Adults
Immediately treat with a 15–20g of a short-acting carbohydrate such as:
- a glass of non-diet soft drink such as cola or lemonade
- three or more glucose tablets
- five sweets, eg jelly babies
- a glass or carton of fruit juice
- glucose gel (available on prescription if you are treated with insulin).
The exact quantity will vary from person to person.
For children, see related links to the right of this page.
NB Avoid food and drinks containing fat (eg chocolate, biscuits, milk) if a quick rise in glucose is needed.
If your hypo is more severe and you cannot treat it yourself or if you are unconscious, someone else can help you by injecting Glucagon, but only if the person you are with has been trained to use it. Otherwise the people you are with should call an ambulance immediately.
Note: It is advisable for all people with Type 1 diabetes to have a Glucagon kit, and the patient and family should be shown how to use it. People with Type 2 diabetes who are treated with insulin should discuss their individual need for Glucagon with their healthcare team.
Important: If you are unable to swallow or are unconscious, you should not be given anything by mouth. Make sure your family and friends are aware of this. If you are unconscious, you should be placed in the recovery position (on your side with your head tilted back) so that your tongue does not block your throat.
Retest
Check your blood glucose again after 15–20 minutes and if still low repeat the treatment.
Follow-on treatment
To prevent your blood glucose levels dropping again, you may need a follow-on snack (10g–20g of a longer-acting carbohydrate) such as:
- half a sandwich
- fruit
- a small bowl of cereal
- biscuits and milk
- the next meal if due.
The exact quantity will vary from person to person.
Drivers
If you have a hypo when driving, the DVLA guidance is that you do not resume driving until 45 minutes after you blood glucose has returned to normal.
More information on driving and diabetes.
Reviewed: April 2013
Next review: October 2014