Can type 2 diabetes cause hypoglycaemia?

Hypoglycaemia is a fall in blood glucose that can cause sweating, shaking, hunger, dizziness, irritability, blurred vision or difficulty concentrating. It is more likely with insulin or medicines that encourage the pancreas to release insulin. The risk can rise when a meal is delayed, food intake is smaller than expected, exercise is harder than planned, or alcohol is taken without food. A reading and your symptoms help your clinician work out whether an episode was hypoglycaemia and why it happened.

If you are awake and able to swallow, check your glucose if you can and take a quick source of sugar, such as glucose tablets or a sugary drink. Recheck after a short interval and repeat the treatment if symptoms continue or the reading remains low. Once you improve, eat a meal or snack containing longer-lasting carbohydrate if your next meal is not soon. Do not drive while symptoms are present. Keep a record of the time, symptoms, reading, food, activity and medicines, then discuss repeated episodes with your diabetes team.

Call emergency services if someone with suspected hypoglycaemia is confused, having a seizure, unconscious or unable to swallow. Do not give food or drink to an unconscious person. Place them on their side and follow any prescribed rescue plan while help is coming. Seek prompt medical advice after a severe episode, repeated lows, or an episode that does not improve with sugar.

Ask whether any medicine or dose could be contributing, how to adjust food and activity safely, what glucose target applies to you, and whether you should carry glucose or use a prescribed rescue treatment. Ask when to check overnight or around exercise, and what to do if you cannot eat because you are unwell.