Four Steps to Correct Mild & Moderate Low Blood Sugar

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In correcting a low, how many grams of pure glucose or carbohydrate you use depends on:

• your blood sugar level
• time of day
• when you last took your blood glucose-lowering medicine and dose
• when you last ate and plan to eat again
• your size and weight*
• your planned activity level

How to Correct a Low Blood Sugar Episode:

Step 1: Check Your Blood Sugar

If you feel symptoms of low blood sugar, check your blood sugar. If your blood sugar is 70 mg/dl or below, correct it. If you can’t check your blood sugar, but you feel it is too low, correct it. You are always better to risk your blood sugar being a little high temporarily than risk a low.

Step 2: Eat 15 to 20 grams* of pure glucose or another food containing carbohydrate

The best way to correct mild or moderate low blood sugar, according to the American Diabetes Association, is to take 15 to 20 grams* of pure glucose that you get from glucose tablets, glucose gel or glucose liquid.

If you do not have pure glucose on hand, correct a low by consuming 15 to 20 grams* of a food or beverage containing carbohydrate such as juice, regular soda, skim milk or hard candy.

Step 3: Wait 15 minutes and then check your blood sugar again

It takes about 15 minutes for the pure glucose to raise your blood sugar. If your blood sugar has risen to within your target range, you can likely resume your activities. If your blood sugar is still too low, eat another 15 to 20 grams* of pure glucose or carbohydrate and check again in 15 minutes.

Step 4: Consider eating a snack if your next meal is one to two hours away

Your body’s response to the glucose you consume is short-lived (about 2 hours). If your next meal is more than an hour away you may need to eat a snack to keep your blood sugar stable until your next meal.

Check your blood glucose again about 60 minutes after a low blood glucose episode to know if you need to eat more to keep your blood glucose in your target range. Whether you need a snack depends on when you have last eaten, what you ate, how active you are going to be, when you have last taken your blood glucose lowering medication, and whether you took the correct amount or not. Talk to your health care professional about what’s best for you. It's best to plan ahead — always be prepared!

* Younger children with type 1 diabetes may need less glucose. Discuss this with your healthcare professionals.

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