Post Time: 2025-09-01
Understanding Low Blood Sugar: What Does a Reading of 36 Mean?
A blood sugar reading of 36 is extremely low, indicating that your body's glucose levels have dropped significantly. This condition, known as hypoglycemia or insulin shock, requires immediate attention and treatment.
When your blood sugar level falls below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), you may start experiencing symptoms such as shakiness, dizziness, confusion, and anxiety. In severe cases of low blood sugar (less than 40 mg/dL or 2.2 mmol/L), individuals can become unresponsive, develop seizures, or experience heart problems.
Causes of Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar readings like 36 are often the result of consuming too much insulin or oral hypoglycemic medications without sufficient carbohydrates to counteract them. Certain medical conditions such as diabetes (especially type 1), pancreatic cancer, and adrenal insufficiency can also cause abnormally low glucose levels.
Factors Contributing to Low Blood Sugar
In addition to medication-related causes, there are several other factors that may contribute to hypoglycemia:
- Diet: Not consuming enough carbohydrates or protein before engaging in physical activity.
- Medications: Taking too much insulin or oral diabetes medications without adjusting the dosage according to dietary changes.
- Medical Conditions: Certain conditions like an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), a pituitary tumor, liver disease, and heart failure can contribute to low blood sugar.
Treatment for Low Blood Sugar
If you have experienced hypoglycemia with symptoms such as dizziness or confusion due to your last meal or medication regimen contributing to abnormally high insulin levels leading towards an emergency condition like unconsciousness resulting from brain malfunction then here are several treatments that may help elevate your glucose level back within the normal range:
- Carbohydrate Intake: Consuming 15-20 grams of quick-digesting carbs, such as fruit juice or candy.
- Hormone Treatment: Administering glucagon (a hormone counteracting insulin) if you're in an emergency situation where symptoms persist after consuming carbohydrates.
