The most common causes of blood sugar dropping

Written by Lena, Nutritionist (M.Sc. Medical Nutrition) | Reviewed by Kevin, Nutritionist (M.Sc. Medical Science)

Feeling dizzy...? Maybe your blood sugar is letting you down.

Topics at a glance:

Our blood sugar is tightly regulated.
Hypoglycaemia: When your blood sugar gets too low.
What are the signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar level)?
Possible causes of blood sugar dips in healthy people.
Blood sugar dropping in diabetes patients - a common issue.
Causes of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) in people with diabetes.
Keep your blood sugar in balance for good!
Almased lowers your HbA1c without side effects.

Our blood sugar is tightly regulated

Blood sugar is made up by one type of sugar - glucose, an important energy source for our brain.
Blood sugar (blood glucose) is regulated by insulin and glucagon (hormones that are important for sugar uptake from cells and sugar release from the liver and muscles).
In healthy adults, it's always between 55 and 140 mg/dl (7,8 mmol/l) however, variations within that range are normal and of no concern.

Blood sugar regulation at a glance:

Glucose

The most abundant carbohydrate in nature, every carbohydrate nutrient is broken down into glucose in our body, an important energy source for the brain.

Insulin

A hormone secreted by the pancreas when blood sugar is elevated; cells need insulin to take up glucose and use it as an energy source. Insulin lowers blood sugar.

Glucagon

A hormone secreted by the pancreas when blood sugar is low; acts on the liver to release glucose from the liver's glucose storage. It raises blood sugar.

Hypoglycaemia: When Your Blood Sugar Gets Too Low

Hypoglycaemia is defined as a drop in blood sugar causing noticeable symptoms.
Usually below 55 mg/dl (3 mmol/l) in healthy adults.
Very rare in healthy people, but can occur when the demand for glucose by the brain or muscles is higher than the uptake of glucose through diet or the release of glucose from stores in our body.
As glucose is the main energy source for our body, very low glucose levels can be dangerous.

What are the signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar level)?

When blood sugar drops, adrenaline is released, therefore hypoglycaemia symptoms can include: faster heartbeat, sweating, chills, being nervous, feeling shaky, feeling lightheaded, hunger, nausea, pale skin, impatience.
As time passes and the brain doesn't get enough fuel, confusion, lack of energy, blurred vision, numbness, headaches and coordination problems can set in.
Worst case scenario can present in coma or seizure, if the brain is not supplied with glucose for a prolonged period of time.

Possible causes of blood sugar dropping in healthy people

The most common cause of hypoglycaemia are drugs, followed by critical illness and hormone deficiencies. Certain medical conditions can also lead to problems with low blood sugar levels.

Drugs

insulin, alcohol, glucagon

Critical illness

hepatic, renal or cardiac failure
sepsis

Medical conditons

gastric bypass
autoimmune disease

Blood sugar dropping in diabetes patients - a common issue

Whereas in healthy people hypoglycaemia is rare, for people with insulin treated diabetes, this is part of daily life.
External insulin is one of the major risk factors for blood sugar dropping.
As patients with type 1 diabetes or advanced type 2 diabetes lack normal blood sugar regulation, insulin is used to lower blood sugar levels following meals.
If there is too much insulin administered, blood sugar can drop too much, leading to hypoglycaemia symptoms.
For people with diabetes, blood sugar levels below 70 mg/dl (3,9 mmol/l) are indicative of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).

Causes of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) in people with diabetes:

Excessive dosage, ill-timed or wrong type of insulin.
Less glucose uptake (during night, missed meal).
Exercise.
Alcohol.
Better insulin sensitivity after weight loss.
Renal failure.

If you struggle with hypoglycaemia, this can also be the result of a very strict treatment regimen. Speak to your doctor to adjust your treatment to meet your individual needs.

What to do when symptoms of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) occur:

Small amounts of carbohydrates to increase blood sugar without massive glucose spikes.
15g of carbohydrates at a time, checking blood sugar after 15 minutes.
Try to get blood sugar to 70 mg/dl (3,9 mmol/dl).
If you successfully reached a normal blood sugar level, try to have a full meal to stabilise your blood sugar.
Talk to your doctor about your hypoglycaemia episode and find strategies to prevent low blood glucose in the future.

Best sources of glucose:

Take glucose in the form of glucose tablets, gel, juice or soda, hard sweets, jellybeans.

15g of glucose is equal to 150 ml of soda or fruit juice, 5 pieces of chocolate, 20g of jellybeans, 10 gummy bears.

Keep your blood sugar in balance for good!

To stabilise your blood sugar in the long term, a healthy diet is important.
Foods that contain lots of fibre and less easy absorbable carbs can help to balance blood sugar and as it takes longer to break down complex carbs to yield glucose, blood glucose rises slowly.

Legumes

Chickpeas, kidney beans or lentils - include your favourite legumes in your diet to keep your blood glucose in balance. The combination of fibre, protein and B-vitamins will get you through the day.

Wholemeal products

In contrast to white flour, wholemeal includes all the healthy fibre that supports your gut health and stabilises your blood glucose. So next time you shop for bread or pasta, just look for a wholemeal alternative.

Almased

With the perfect ratio of proteins and carbs, Almased keeps your blood sugar in check while making sure your body gets all the nutrients needed!

Leafy green vegetables

Low in calories and carbs but high in minerals and antioxidants, superfoods like broccoli, spinach and kale can help you find blood sugar balance in your meals.

Almased lowers your HbA1c without side effects

Through its special manufacturing process and low carbohydrate content, Almased is a superfood that has a regulatory effect on blood sugar. The three main ingredients, soya, yogurt and honey, provide an optimum nutrient ratio and send the right signals to our metabolism.

Scientific studies have shown that regular use of Almased effectively reduces HbA1c levels.

1 Meal replacement reduces insulin requirement, HbA1c and weight long-term in type 2 diabetes patients with >100 U insulin per day - PubMed (nih.gov )

2 Individualized Meal Replacement Therapy Improves Clinically Relevant Long-Term Glycemic Control in Poorly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes Patients - PubMed (nih.gov )

3 Prediabetes Conversion to Normoglycemia Is Superior Adding a Low-Carbohydrate and Energy Deficit Formula Diet to Lifestyle Intervention-A 12-Month Subanalysis of the ACOORH Trial - PubMed (nih.gov )

Sources

1. Cryer, P.E., Axelrod, L., Grossman, A.B., Heller, S.R., Montori, V.M., Seaquist, E.R., and Service, F.J. (2009). Evaluation and Management of Adult Hypoglycemic Disorders: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 94, 709–728. 10.1210/jc.2008-1410.

2. Hypoglycemia-Signs, Symptoms & Treatment |ADA https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-care/hypoglycemia#.

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