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Instructions for helping yourself

Low blood sugar in a person with diabetes

Before continuing

In an emergency, contact the official service (141) in your area.

What to do

  1. If you have diabetes and feel a hypo, measure if possible and ask someone to stay.
  2. If measuring: below4mmol/L or below70mg/dL are low-sugar warning thresholds. Check device units. Do not wait for a meter with their usual hypo symptoms.
  3. Child with diabetes: use their plan for sugar amount, only awake and swallowing safely. No plan or unable to swallow: get help now. Do not force sugar into the mouth.
  4. Adult swallowing safely: take 15–20 g glucose as labelled. Without glucose, a sugary drink or juice. No diet/zero-sugar drinks.
  5. No improvement in10minutes, seizure or no longer swallowing safely: emergency help now. Do not wait for another test. Repeat sugar only while awake and swallowing safely.
  6. Recheck after 15 minutes. If not improving, get help and repeat sugar only if swallowing safely.
  7. After improvement and safe swallowing, eat a snack or your next meal.
  8. After severe/repeated episodes, ask diabetes team to review. Prescribed glucagon: only someone who knows that product. Nasal and injectable differ. Do not delay call or CPR.

What to avoid

  1. If unresponsive or unable to swallow safely: no oral sugar, gel, food or drink. Do not improvise insulin doses.
Child/baby unresponsive and not breathing normally: child CPRAdult unresponsive and not breathing normally: CPRAdult unresponsive but breathing normally: recovery position