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SYMPTOMS OF LOW BLOOD GLUCOSE (Hypoglycemia)

Mild Hypoglycemia
Increased or sudden hunger
Feeling shaky, dizzy or nervous
Pounding heartbeat
Drowsiness, feeling tired
Sweating (cold and clammy)
Numbness/tingling around mouth
Headache or stomachache

Moderate Hypoglycemia
Any mild symptoms above, plus:
Personality change
Irritability
Confusion and/or difficulty      concentrating
Slurred or slow speech
Poor coordination

Severe Hypoglycemia
***CALL 911 ASAP!***

Any of the above symptoms plus:
Loss of consciousness
Seizures and/or convulsions
Death

Severe hypoglycemia requires injection of glucagon.

HIGH BLOOD GLUCOSE (hyperglycemia)

Onset:  Over time; hours or days.
Causes:  Too little insulin, stress, illness, dehydration, exercise or inactivity, too much food, certain medications, or a combination of these things.

Symptoms of Hyperglycemia
Increased thirst and urination
Urine may contain ketones
Labored breathing, Fatigue
Increase/Decrease in appetite
Headache, stomachache
General aches and pain
Changes in behavior or moodI

Hypoglycemia Information

Onset:  Rapid; sudden, may not be preventable.  Causes Related to Diabetes: Missing snacks or meals, eating too little food, taking too much insulin, too much activity, side effects of medications taken, or a combination of these things.

Normal & Target Blood Glucose Ranges (mg/dL)
For Adult Persons with Diabetes

Before Meals                                                 90-130
1- 2 hours after the start of a meal          less than 180
Hypoglycemia (low) at any time                 70 or below

Normal & Target Blood Glucose Ranges (mg/dL)
For Non-Diabetic Persons

Upon Waking (fasting)                                  70 - 110
    (125 or higher may indicate diabetes)
After Meals                                                  70-140

Important Note:  Your doctor may provide you with different target ranges so be sure to know he/she recommends for your blood glucose levels.

Glucose levels are measured in either:
-  Milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), in the United States
-  Millimoles per liter (mmol/L) (for those using metric system)

Comparatively:
 -  72 mg/dL = 4 mmol/L
-   90 mg/dL = 5 mmol/L
-  108 mg/dL = 6 mmol/L
-  126 mg/dL = 7 mmol/L

Glucose levels vary before and after meals, at various times of day, as well as throughout the night in persons with diabetes as well as in non-diabetics.  

ALERT:  Untreated highs and any high over 240 mg/dL can lead to diabetic ketoacidiosis (DKA) which can result in coma and/or death. Test urine for ketones and call your doctor for instructions anytime ketones are in the moderate or higher range no matter what your blood glucose level is.

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