This page contains information on the symptoms and treatment of hypoglycemia in gestational diabetes patients.
Hypo = blood glucose level less than 4.0mmol/L
Common causes of hypoglycaemia
- Too much insulin or too many diabetes tablets
- Not enough carbohydrates in a meal or snack
- Not reducing your insulin dose before physical activity
Symptoms of hypoglycaemia
| Sweating | Hunger | Lack of concentration |
| Headache | Shaking | Feeling irritable |
Other symptoms of hypoglycaemia
- Dizziness
- Unusual behaviours
- Fast or pounding heartbeat
- Blurred vision
- Loss of consciousness
- Pins and needles around your mouth
Symptoms of hypoglycaemia can be different for each person.
Remember:
- To report hypoglycaemia to your health professionals.
- Do not give food or fluids to an unconscious person.
- Dial 000 for an ambulance if you are unable to manage.
Hypoglycaemia - treatment
Step 1 - sugar (this is the most important step)
Have 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate straight away.
Choose from these:
Step 2 - low G.I. carbohydrate
Once your blood glucose level is back up over 4.0 mmol/L, eat a slow-acting carbohydrate snack to prevent your glucose level from dropping any further.
Choose from something like these:
*Your blood sugar level is read in mmol/L, which means millimoles per litre.
Click to download as a factsheet
