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What do you define as a very low blood glucose reading?
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It depends on the context.
For long term consequences, I would define very low BG as below 65.
For immediate interruptions of my life or capabilities, it would be below 55.
I mean long term consequences towards my health as I would not want an extended period of a BG of 65.
Maybe because I have been hypo unaware for years, but to me “very low” would be below 50.
Usually below 55. But…I check every time I am going to drive. Then I make sure I am at 70+. Been among first responders too many times to risk impaired driving. And in my opinion, anyone on an insulin regimen has the potential to be an impaired driver.
I agree the question would apply what context. If I am driving I don’t want it at 70 or below. If I am at home very low for me would be 30 or below. I’ve been T1 for 67 years (no complications) and I am aware any time I fall below 70. A 55 reading is no big deal to me. We are all different.
I say <55, but my wife says anything below 100. She sometimes starts panicking if I get to 105, but I've had T1D for over 32 years and I seldom notice any symptoms until I get lower than the mid 30s.
I think of very low as in the 40’s. But, I don’t wait for my blood glucose to go that low. I try to keep my BG around 100.
Below 2.5 (45)
< 40
Even lower than the “Below 55 mg/dL (3.0 mmol/L or lower)” that you offer.
I fairly regularly have blood glucose levels in the 2.x mmol/l [30+ mg/dL] range. This was one of the reasons my endocrinologist was able to get CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) prescribed to me on the NHS (National Health Service) in the UK, yet my blood glucose level has a tendency to fall rapidly, so my CGM, although it’s ‘continually monitoring’ my blood glucose levels has ‘difficulty’ with ‘keeping up’. [Glucose readings from interstitial fluids is never quite as good as glucose readings directly from blood.]
Less than 2.5mmol/L(40)
For the 42 years I’ve been a T1 a very low bs was defined as losing consciousness. Once at home bs testing was available it was 40 or lower OR my Dexcom saying low.
It would depend on how it’s trending. 50 trending up and 50 trending down are not equal.
55 isn’t really low but once gets below into 40’s it’s really low.
Def below 55! If it’s over 70 I won’t even treat unless I’m also trending down. Under 70 is low, under 55 is very low. But, I have control of my self down to 35 now on the pump, as long as it’s not a rapid decline or a prolonged low.
Read an article from NIH that average person can experience glucose levels below “70” asymptomatically 7% of the time. Suggested levels below 54 seem medical treatment. With that said I see higher 60 frequently, but knowing the error range of standard glucose meters (15-20%) and MARD ratings of CGM (12-17%) I use “how I feel” as well.
Sometimes I “feel” low and the CGM/meter says 75…I could be as low as 61 (20% lower?). And if I feel great bet the meter reads 68 I could be sitting as high 81. In enter case would use a small minute something to raise my levels: no need to shoot for a 200?
At a 50 I boy necessarily panic but quickly treat.
I define very low as the level when my symptoms are evident to others e.g. talking funny, can’t hold my hand steady, difficulty maintaining balance. Or when my body releases glucagon in reaction to low blood sugar. Either the BG level is not the only criteria for these symptoms or my CGM is not consistent enough as any reported value below 70 has an equal chance at being correct, 15 mg/dL higher or 15 mg/dL lower.
I feel like for me a very low Blood Sugar is less than 40.
Lo