Having a hypo on insulin

[lynbrown]

Can someone please remind me - if i am having hypos, do i need more or less insulin?

[Paul22118]

Get into the habit of carrying with you a barley sugar sweet or wrapped sugar cube etc. The response is almost immediate.

[brenda]

Spot on both of you -- sugar it is. Carry a Barley sugar sweet or two in your pocket .In the car a bottle of Lucozade and a Mars Bar, or even a banana.Best of. BRENDA.

[saxy_jag]

The above for immediate treatment, then see your GP as soon as you can, especially if there doesn't seem to have been any obvious trigger or if your medication has been changed in any way.

[carlton23]

Energen Tabs.

[perigra]

make sure you're getting the difference between hypo and hyper!!

[ummmm]

I don't think she meant she was having one right this minute....lol

[Buenchico]

If you're getting confused between 'hypo' and hyper', here's a few hints:

I find it easiest to remember that 'hypermarket' means a very large shop. So 'hyperglycaemic' means a very large amount of sugar, which needs more insulin to balance it out.

So 'hypoglycaemic' must mean the opposite. i.e. a very small amount of sugar, which means that the insulin dose is excessive.

So if you're suffering 'hypos' you should be reducing the dosage of insulin. (Of course, such action should only be undertaken with medical supervision).

As others have suggested (and I'm sure you're already aware) the 'if in doubt' golden rule for emergencies is to increase your sugar levels. Excessive sugar can have adverse effects but the onset is slow. Insufficient sugar can lead to immediate medical emergency.

Chris

[perigra]

but she did so.....................

[ethandron]

...or she's just asking the question, not necessarily for herself.
hypo rhymes with 'low' (as in low blood sugar).

[Sqad]

99% of cases of "hypo" are due to dietary indescretions, so the answers given are quite correct.......you need sugar.

Hypo......less insulin ( not really the issue as stated above)

Hyper....more insulin ( very rarely the problem)

[lynbrown]

Thanks to all who answered. I had just had a hypo last night and taken my usual Lucozade tablets plus a snack. I know how to deal with it - I just couldnt remember what caused it. I have a good diabetic support team but didnt want to call at 9pm for basic info. I have had 4 hypos in the last week, usually during the night. I am going to reduce my insulin this evening and see if that helps. If not, I shall contact my team. Again, thanks for all the help, most of it kind and wellmeaning.

[Sqad]

lynn....good thinking.