Hypo advice from Mydiabetes (NHS Scotland)

[Vicsetter]

Welcome to the My Diabetes My Way Newsletter for May 2017.

Lucozade News


Individuals who rely on Lucozade to treat hypos (hypoglycaemia) are being advised to check the labels of the energy drink as the amount of sugar per 100ml has significantly reduced. This change was implemented in April 2017 and will apply to all Lucozade flavours as well as the original drink. Previously, 100ml of Lucozade Original contained 17g of carbohydrate and this will be reduced to 8.9g. People who experience hypos are advised to drink 15-20g of rapid acting carbohydrate to treat their low blood sugar.



Suggested replacements for hypo treatment are as follows:

1. 200ml of concentrate orange juice

2. 4-5 Large Jelly Babies

3. 4-6 Glucose tablets

4. X2 tubes of glucogel

5. 150 – 200mls non diet fizzy juices (however these might also be subject to change in the future)



If you are unsure about any of this information, please speak to your diabetes team about the different options and best treatments for you to ensure that the appropriate amount of carbohydrate is taken.
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Orange Juice as a hypo treatment? not very fast acting as it's fructose. Where can you get orange juice concentrate anyway?

 

[Greyhound Gal]

I think it is just fresh orange juice. I believe it is the first thing paramedics look for if they are called to treat a hypo when you're at home (and conscious)

 

[Northerner]

I think it is just fresh orange juice. I believe it is the first thing paramedics look for if they are called to treat a hypo when you're at home (and conscious)

Yes, I'd suspect they mean 'from concentrate'? And without 'bits'.

Have to say, 5 jelly babies would generally mean a massive over-treatment of a hypo for me, as would the other alternatives suggested - unless you're brand new to it, I would have thought most people learn what they need to treat hypos, depending on all the other factors (insulin on board, exercise, speed of drop, actual level etc.) that pertain at the time. Although I can see that, for general advice, they err on the side of simplicity and certainty.

 

[Mariam Agha]

There are individual differences in the way we react to treat hypos, depending on how sever the hypo is at the time. From my experiences, when the hypo is severe <2.9, I cannot stop having sweet things beside the recommended amount of Lucozade, and I end up having hyper soon after hypo treatment. Simply because I lose concentration at times like these!

 

[Robin]

There are individual differences in the way we react to treat hypos, depending on how sever the hypo is at the time. From my experiences, when the hypo is severe <2.9, I cannot stop having sweet things beside the recommended amount of Lucozade, and I end up having hyper soon after hypo treatment. Simply because I lose concentration at times like these!

I know what you mean, I had one of those 'eat everything in the house' hypos yesterday, I suspect with me it has something to do with the speed of the drop, the faster it is, the more my body says 'EAT!' I had to give myself a couple of units of insulin after my levels had come back up, and I was still 12.0 a couple of hours later!

 

[Vicsetter]

P.S. here in Scotland we are lucky because a can of Irn Bru still contains 34g sugar.

 

[Mariam Agha]

Vicsetter, I noticed that you are type 2, do you also have hypos? Are you on insulin as well as anti-diabetes medications?

 

[PhoebeC]

I know what you mean, I had one of those 'eat everything in the house' hypos yesterday, I suspect with me it has something to do with the speed of the drop, the faster it is, the more my body says 'EAT!' I had to give myself a couple of units of insulin after my levels had come back up, and I was still 12.0 a couple of hours later!

I hate those hypos. I normally stick to my standard amount but then when its not going back up quick enough I can get scared and have too much.

 

[Amberzak]

I use orange juice to treat a hypo. It's extremely effective for me. Far more affective than glucose tabs. Apple juice is also really good for me for hypo treatment. Needless to say I can't drink them if I'm not having a hypo.

Ha, I know what you guys mean about the eat everything in sight mentality. The other day I went into a corner shop and grabbed about 5 bars of chocolate. Husband made me check my sugars and low and behold it was 3.2