Treating Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

Here are images showing how to treat low blood sugar if you have diabetes.

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Step-by-Step

  • One hand holding glucometer to finger of other hand, with drop of blood on finger tip.

    1. Check your blood sugar often.

  • Glucometer with exclamation point on screen.

    2. Raise your blood sugar if it’s below 70.

  • Person drinking from a cup of liquid.

    3. Have 15 grams of carbs from quick-sugar foods

  • Quick-sugar options, including tube next to 4 glucose tablets, bottle of orange juice with cup of juice, and stack of candies next to 6 candies.

    4. Choose from glucose tablets, juice, or hard candy.

  • Bottle of orange juice with arrow pointing to nutritional values on label.

    5. Check labels to know what 15 grams of carbs is.

  • Person waiting, with clock showing time passing.

    6. Wait 15 minutes.

  • One hand holding glucometer to finger of other hand, with drop of blood on finger tip.

    7. Check your blood sugar again.

  • Person drinking again from cup of liquid.

    8. If it’s still low, have 15 grams of carbs.

  • Person waiting, with clock showing time passing.

    9. Wait 15 minutes.

  • One hand holding glucometer to finger of other hand, with drop of blood on finger tip.

    10. Check your blood sugar again.

  • Person drinking again from a cup of liquid.

    11. If it’s still low, repeat steps 8, 9, and 10.

  • Person eating a sandwich.

    12. If it's 70 or above, eat a snack or meal.

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