What causes hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in people with diabetes?
Hypoglycemia happens when your blood sugar drops below a healthy range. Several factors can contribute to this for people with diabetes. Hypoglycemia can develop if things like food, exercise and diabetes medications are out of balance. Common situations that can lead to hypoglycemia for people with diabetes include: Taking too much insulin, the wrong insulin or injecting it into your muscle instead of in your fat tissue. Not timing insulin and carb intake correctly (for example, waiting too long to eat a meal after taking insulin for the meal). Taking too much or too high of a dose of oral diabetes medications. Being more active than usual. Drinking alcohol without eating. Eating meals later than usual or skipping meals. Not balancing meals by including fat, protein and fiber. People who are pregnant and have Type 1 diabetes are also more likely to experience low blood sugar during the first trimester due to hormone changes.