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Signs and Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar

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Stage Signs and Symptoms
Mild
  • shakiness, trembling
  • sweating
  • blurred vision
  • dizziness (feeling lightheaded)
  • not thinking clearly
  • feeling nervous or anxious
  • being weak
  • numbness, tingling of
       mouth and lips
  • tired
  • headache
  • sudden hunger
  • nauseous
  • heart beating fast
    		•
    Moderate
  • irritable
  • agitated
  • confused
  • lack of coordination
  • personality change
  • difficulty speaking
    		•
    Severe
  • confused
  • becoming unconscious
  • having seizures or convulsions
  • unable to correct the low
       by yourself
  • you need help from another
       person
    		•

    There are three progressive stages of low blood sugar: mild, moderate and severe. If you don’t correct a low blood sugar quickly, your blood sugar can continue to go lower. While mild hypoglycemia will give most people a shaky feeling and drain their energy, at the severe stage you can have seizures or lose consciousness.

    Most people find that they have their own unique set of signs and symptoms to alert them to low blood sugar. If you’ve had a low blood sugar episode see if you can identify your signs and symptoms on the chart to the right. Also, become familiar with the range of signs and symptoms. As you move from one stage of severity to the next, the signs and symptoms change. Your unique symptoms may change over time as well.

    If you have a young child with diabetes who can’t tell you when his or her blood sugar is low, it can be difficult to know. Some signs to look for are if your child is very tired, irritable, crying, clumsy, staring off into space or being unusually quiet or fussy. Check your child’s blood sugar if you are suspicious. Over time you will get to know the signs.

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