Is hypoglycemia only detectable when it occurs?
Disease description:
Recently, I have been experiencing frequent dizziness and palpitations, and I suspect that I might have hypoglycemia. Is hypoglycemia only detectable during an episode? Can it be detected during regular times as well?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
In general, hypoglycemia can be detected not only during an episode but also through other monitoring methods; however, testing during an episode is more accurate.
Hypoglycemia is defined as a decrease in plasma glucose levels. For non-diabetic individuals, it is generally defined as a blood glucose level below 2.8 mmol/L; for individuals with diabetes, it is defined as a blood glucose level below 3.9 mmol/L. When hypoglycemia is not occurring, abnormalities can also be detected through continuous fasting or postprandial glucose monitoring. If blood glucose levels consistently fall below the normal range, hypoglycemia can be definitively diagnosed.
Additionally, during a hypoglycemic episode, excessive insulin levels in the body cause glucose to be utilized too rapidly, leading to decreased blood glucose concentrations. At this time, measuring the glucose content in the blood can directly confirm whether a hypoglycemic state exists; therefore, testing during an episode is more accurate.
In daily life, patients and their families need to learn to recognize common symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as hunger, anxiety, and dizziness. The occurrence of these symptoms should immediately prompt attention and blood glucose monitoring.
