5 Facts to know about Going Low:
Having a low blood sugar can be a scary situation. According to the American Diabetes Association, Hypoglycemia is a condition characterized by abnormally low blood glucose (blood sugar) levels, usually less than 70 mg/dl. However, it is important to talk to your health care provider about your individual blood glucose targets, and what level is too low for you.
- Blood sugar is considered low when it is at 70 or below.
- Alcohol can cause blood sugars to run low soon after drinking and for up to 24 hours after that. If you are drinking alcohol it is important to do frequent blood sugar checks and have a snack with you in case you need it.
- Exercise can cause blood sugar to drop immediately – AND up to 24 hours post-workout. Set an alarm to test in the middle of the night if you had a hard workout.
- If your medications put you at risk for low blood sugar it is extremely important to always test before you drive. If you are running low, be sure to treat your low before getting behind the wheel. If you are driving a long distance make sure to pull off alongside the road to test during the drive to make sure your blood sugar levels are staying where they need to be to stay safe on the roads.
- Skipping or delaying meals can be a trigger for low blood sugar. Carry fast acting sources of glucose just in case.