Ask the Diabetes Educator Archive

8/16/04

Q:
How low is dangerously low blood sugar? Recently I tested myself because I was feeling spacy and got 52. How low can [blood sugar] go before it becomes urgent to get food?

A:
If you felt "spacey" with a blood sugar reading of 52, then that was low for you. Generally, 60 is the low end of a normal blood sugar range. For some individuals, such as heart patients, 80 can be considered low. If you have recurring "spacey" bouts, I suggest you have a Glucose Tolerance Test to see if you are hypoglycemic. Meanwhile, try not to let long gaps go between meals. Seek medical intervention if you need it.