However, exercising requires energy, which makes your body produce more ketones. High levels of ketones can lead to an emergency medical condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).20
Reach out to a healthcare provider to prevent complications from high blood sugar. They may alter your medication or insulin dosage or refer you to a registered dietitian (RD).21
What Is Low Blood Sugar?
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is a fasting blood sugar below 70 mg/dL. Severely low blood glucose levels (below 54 mg/dL) can increase your risk of complications like fainting and seizures.15
Causes
Hypoglycemia can occur with or without diabetes.
Causes of low blood sugar include:4
Alcohol consumption
Certain types of diabetes medications and other drugs
Heart, kidney, or liver failure
Insulinoma (a rare tumor in the pancreas)
Lacking a hormone like cortisol, growth hormone, or thyroid hormone
Previous weight-loss surgeries
Symptoms
You might not exhibit any signs of low blood sugar, but some signs can include:4
Crankiness
Difficulty thinking clearly
Fast heart rate
Fatigue
Headaches
Sweating
Tingling or numbness
Vision problems
Treatment
Low blood sugar can be dangerous, but it’s treatable. You can follow the “15-15 rule” if your glucose level dips to 55 and 69 mg/dL: Eat 15 grams of low-fiber, low-fat carbohydrates and repeat every 15 minutes until your blood sugar returns to 90-150 mg/DL. Foods with fiber and fat slow down digestion, so they won’t restore blood sugar levels quickly.22
Carbohydrate choices include:23
