Early Warning Signs of a Low

Early signs of a low are shakiness, sweating, a fast heartbeat and hunger. They tell you your blood sugar may be falling.

Think of a warning light on a car dashboard. It says to take a look. If you are not sure, check your blood sugar. Ask your care team what to do when these signs show up.

Some early signs are feelings, not things anyone can see. Irritability means feeling snappy or easily annoyed.

Anxiety means feeling uneasy or worried for no clear reason. Lightheadedness means feeling dizzy or unsteady. Tingling is a prickly feeling that can show up around the lips or fingers.

Your signs may not match what someone else feels. They can also change from one low to the next.

Some people lose their early signs. This can happen after many years with diabetes, many lows, nerve damage or some medicines.

Knowing your own signs helps you spot a low sooner.

Key takeaways

• Shakiness, sweating, a fast heartbeat and hunger are common early signs.
• Some early signs are feelings, like irritability, anxiety and lightheadedness.
• Your signs may differ from someone else's, and from one low to the next.

Try it

Today, write your two most noticeable early low signs on a card and keep it near your meter.