Making the Diagnosis
If you do not have diabetes and are healthy except for the symptoms described above, you will be checked for hypoglycemia. Your doctor will take a blood sample and check blood glucose levels. If you do have diabetes, your doctor will ask about your medications (e.g., dose of insulin used), activities, and diet. If a person with diabetes uses too much insulin or insulin-producing medications, or uses up too much blood sugar through exercise, without eating enough food ahead of time, hypoglycemia may occur. People using insulin or antidiabetes medications that promote the release of insulin should avoid letting their blood glucose levels fall below 72 mg/dL (4.0 mmol/L).
The American Diabetes Association identifies these symptoms of hypoglycemia:
- clumsy or jerky movements
- difficulty paying attention or confusion
- dizziness
- headache
- hunger
- pale skin color
- seizure
- shakiness
- sudden moodiness or behavior changes, such as crying for no apparent reason
- sweating
- tingling sensations around the mouth
Once you have been diagnosed with hypoglycemia, your doctor can usually identify the cause by doing a physical exam, taking a medical history, and getting laboratory tests.