Treating Low or High Blood Glucose (Sugar)

What are my blood glucose goals?

Keeping your blood glucose (sugar) in a healthy range is an important part of taking care of your diabetes.

Aim for these goals to keep your blood glucose in the healthy range:

  • Before meals: 80-130 mg/dL

  • After meals: 80-180 mg/dL

When your blood glucose is outside the healthy range it sometimes needs to be treated right away. See below for more info on what to do for low and high blood glucose.

Aim for these goals to stay in the healthy range:

Before Meals: 80-130 mg/dL

After Meals: 80-180 mg/dL

When should I call 911 for low or high blood glucose?

  • You cannot chew or swallow.

  • You cannot help yourself and have no one to help you.

  • You think you are having a medical emergency.

What is low blood glucose?

Low blood glucose is when your blood glucose is below 70 mg/dL.

Low blood glucose is serious. Treat low blood glucose right away.

What are the signs of low blood glucose?

If you have signs of low blood glucose below, check your blood glucose.

  • Shaky

  • Sweaty

  • Headache

  • Dizzy or tired

  • Fast heartbeat

  • Blurry vision

  • Anxious

  • Cranky

  • Hungry

How do I treat low blood glucose?

Step 1: Do one of these:

  • Drink half a glass of juice or soda

  • Drink a full glass of milk

  • Chew 4 glucose tabs

  • Take 15-20 grams of glucose gel

Step 2: Wait 15 minutes

Step 3: Check your blood glucose again

Step 4: Repeat steps 1-3 until blood glucose is over 70 mg/dL

What is high blood glucose?

High blood glucose is when your blood glucose is above 180 mg/dL.

Too High blood glucose is when your blood glucose is above 250 mg/dL. Too High blood glucose can be serious.

What are the signs of high blood glucose?

If you have signs of high blood glucose below, check your blood glucose.

  • Thirsty

  • Peeing often

  • Dry mouth

  • Tired

  • Blurry vision

  • Dry skin

  • Belly ache

How do I treat high blood glucose?

Step 1:

If your blood glucose is 180 - 250 mg/dL:

  • Drink 1-2 glasses of water

  • Get active for 15-20 minutes.

If your blood glucose is over 250 mg/dL:

  • Contact your healthcare team to ask how to lower your blood glucose safely.

Step 2: Take your diabetes medicine at the right time in the right amount.

Step 3: Check your blood glucose at least twice a day.

  • Contact your healthcare team if your numbers stay high.

You finished learning how to treat low or high blood glucose.

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