Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a condition characterized by low blood sugar (glucose) levels. A drop in blood sugar can result from fasting, prolonged physical activity, or can occur after waking up, before meals (on an empty stomach), or even a few hours after an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Each cause requires a specific approach and evaluation alongside the patient’s clinical symptoms. Generally, blood glucose is considered low when it is below 50 mg/dl (with 18 mg/dl equal to 1 mmol/l).

What Are the Symptoms of Hypoglycemia?

People who experience a sudden drop in blood sugar may feel nausea, weakness, tremors, sweating, a rapid heartbeat, hunger, stomach discomfort, and other symptoms. However, these symptoms are not unique to hypoglycemia and can also occur in conditions like hypothyroidism or anxiety, so hypoglycemia does not have specific symptoms. These symptoms are due to elevated adrenaline levels in the blood, triggered by a sudden drop in glucose, and are called adrenergic symptoms. A significant drop in blood sugar may occur without adrenergic symptoms or increased adrenaline secretion. The most concerning group of symptoms, known as neuroglycopenia, includes confusion, lethargy, seizures, and loss of consciousness, resulting from central nervous system dysfunction due to extremely low blood glucose levels (below 20–30 mg/dl).

Morning Hypoglycemia

If low blood glucose levels occur in the morning, after waking but before breakfast (on an empty stomach), it is crucial to consult a doctor for further testing, ideally in a hospital setting, to prevent potential neurological damage caused by prolonged hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia in Children and Newborns

If spontaneous hypoglycemia is detected, further testing is required. Some medical authorities recommend treatment if blood glucose is below 50 mg/dl. For premature newborns, the threshold is below 20 mg/dl, and for full-term infants, below 30 mg/dl.

Hypoglycemia in Adults

It is essential to determine whether hypoglycemia occurred spontaneously or due to circumstances like not eating. This distinction allows for the correct diagnostic strategy. Additional testing should be done with patient evaluation, potentially including glucose load tests at multiple time points, insulin measurements, intravenous glucose tolerance tests, tolbutamide tests, and tolerance tests (for lactose and adrenaline).
_{For more information, please consult your doctor.}