Hypoglycemia

The only way to know if you have hypoglycemia is to check your blood sugar with a blood glucose meter (glucometer). Most of these devices use a tiny blood sample from a finger prick with a lancet (small needle).

A CGM could be a helpful tool in identifying and preventing low blood sugar because you can program it to alert you to low blood sugar. CGM alerts can be especially useful during times when it could be dangerous to have a low blood sugar, such as while you’re sleeping or driving.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia and are unable to check your blood sugar, treat the hypoglycemia.

How is hypoglycemia diagnosed in people without diabetes?

If your healthcare provider suspects you have hypoglycemia, they may check your blood sugar every few hours during a fast lasting several days. You’ll need additional tests to determine the underlying cause of the hypoglycemia, such as imaging tests to see if a tumor is causing the low blood sugar episodes.

For reactive hypoglycemia, your provider might recommend a test called a mixed-meal tolerance test (MMTT). For the MMTT, you first have a special drink containing protein, fats and sugar. The drink raises your blood glucose, causing your body to make more insulin. Then a provider will check your blood glucose multiple times over the next five hours.