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Hypoglycemia, Diabetic

Afsha Rais Kaisani, FAAFP, MD, Tasaduq Hussain Mir, FAAFP, MD and Christoffer Amdahl, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 

 

BASICS

According to ADA hypoglycemia is defined as any blood sugar level <70 mg/dl. 

DESCRIPTION

Abnormally low concentration of glucose in circulating blood of a patient with diabetes mellitus (DM);...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Discuss timing of episodes, awareness, frequency, and causes (1). Symptoms vary considerably between individuals. 
  • Adrenergic symptoms: Hunger, trembling, pallor, sweating, shaking, p...

TREATMENT

Fast-acting carbohydrates (CHO) at the hypoglycemia alert value of 70 mg/dL or less. 

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Glucose: pure glucose preferred; any form of CHO that contains glucose should be effectiv...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Discuss hypoglycemia prevention at all visits. 

DIET

  • Alcohol consumption may place patients with diabetes at increased risk for delayed hypoglycemia (1)[A].

  • CHO sou...

REFERENCES

1
ElSayed NA, Aleppo G, Aroda VR, et al. on behalf of the American Diabetes Association, 6. Glycemic targets: standards of care in diabetes—2023. Diabetes Care,  2023;46 (Suppl1):S97–S110. h...

ADDITIONAL READING

Allen KV, Pickering MJ, Zammitt NN, et al. Effects of acute hypoglycemia on working memory and language processing in adults with and without type 1 diabetes.  ...

SEE ALSO

  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1

  • Algorithm: Hypoglycemia

CODES

ICD10

  • E11.649 Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hypoglycemia without coma

  • E10.649 Type 1 diabetes mellitus with hypoglycemia without coma

  • E13.649 Oth diabetes mellitus with hypoglycemia without coma

SNOMED

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Abnormally low concentration of glucose in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM); often referred to as an insulin reaction

  • Treatment includes:

    • Immediate administration of glucose—in form ...

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