Your Blood Sugar is Dropping Below a Normal Level

If you are taking any medications in the sulfonylurea class, repaglinide (Prandin), nateglinide (Starlix), or insulin.

These symptoms are typical warning signs that your blood sugar is dropping below a normal level and you are experiencing hypoglycemia.

Because your brain needs a certain concentration of glucose in your bloodstream to function, these symptoms generally occur when blood-sugar values fall below 70 mg/dl. However, the exact concentration at which these warning symptoms occur varies from person to person.

The causes of these symptoms may include taking too high a dose or too many medications, skipping a meal, sustained exercise, a drug interaction of your diabetes medication and another medication, or a change in your kidney or liver function.

It's very important to recognize these symptoms and figure out the cause so you can appropriately treat your hypoglycemia and prevent it next time.

If you have frequent hypoglycemia, notify your health-care provider, since you may need your medication dose reduced.