Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia Diagnosis

Diagnosing^[10] hypoglycemia can be difficult at first, as its symptoms may be confused with those of other conditions. Additionally, a person with dangerously low blood sugar may not even be able to respond to a healthcare provider when asked questions due to confusion or fainting. In situations like this, a family member or friend should provide information regarding the person’s medication regimen or diabetes status. Alternatively, people with diabetes can wear a medical alert bracelet to identify themselves as a person who may enter a hypoglycemic state. If a person does not have diabetes, a healthcare provider may ask about any medications they are taking, as well as whether they have had any gastrointestinal surgeries. In addition, your provider may ask you about your signs and symptoms, whether you have ever tested your blood sugar levels, and if your symptoms disappear after you eat. Ultimately, however, to provide an official diagnosis of hypoglycemia, a healthcare provider will order a blood glucose test. As previously stated, healthy blood glucose levels fall within the range of 60–140 mg/dL. Anything below this will indicate hypoglycemia. Non-diabetic people will also need to have their liver function and cortisol levels tested. If your healthcare provider suspects a pancreatic tumor known as an insulinoma, they may order a blood glucose and insulin test to be performed every 6 hours during 48 hours of fasting (no food or water). A blood glucose level of 40 mg/dL or lower and an elevated insulin level may indicate either an insulinoma or that the person has taken some other drug used to treat diabetes.