What are symptoms of hypoglycemia, and how low is too low?
The body’s biochemical response to hypoglycemia usually starts when sugars are in the high/mid 70’s. At this point, the liver releases its stores and the hormones mentioned above start to activate. In many people, this process occurs without any clinical symptoms. The amount of insulin produced also declines in an attempt to prevent a further drop in glucose. While there is some degree of variability among people, most will usually develop symptoms suggestive of hypoglycemia when blood glucose levels are lowered to the mid 60’s. The first set of symptoms are called adrenergic (or sympathetic) because they relate to the nervous system’s response to hypoglycemia. Patients may experience any of the following; • nervousness, • sweating, • intense hunger, • trembling, • weakness, • palpitations, and • often have trouble speaking. In most patients, these symptoms are easily recognizable. The vast majority of patients with diabetes only experience this degree of hypoglycemia if they are on me
