Type 1 diabetes in adults: diagnosis and management

Managing hypos

You should always have a fast‑acting type of glucose (such as glucose tablets or a sugar‑containing drink) to hand for treating a hypo.

If you have a severe hypo and are unable to swallow (for example, if you are unconscious), a family member or friend can give you a glucagon injection if they have been taught how to do this.

If you are having problems with hypos, you should be given advice and support. Your doctor should look at possible causes and suggest how to improve things. This might involve reviewing how you manage your insulin, changing the types or doses of insulin you are using, or making some changes to your lifestyle.

Recognising hypos

Most people with type 1 diabetes can tell when their blood glucose is getting too low. But some people, particularly if they have had diabetes for a long time, do not always spot the signs. This means that they are more likely to get severe hypos. Your doctor should check that you can recognise the symptoms of hypos at your annual review.

If you are having trouble recognising hypos, you should be offered training and support to help with this. Your blood glucose targets should not be changed, but you should make sure that you are not aiming for a level that is lower than the target agreed with your diabetes care team. Your insulin treatment should be reviewed, and you might be offered an insulin pump.