Your heart starts racing, you feel shaky and anxious, and suddenly you’re hit with an overwhelming craving for something sweet. These uncomfortable symptoms signal that your body is experiencing a blood sugar crash, a condition that affects millions of people every day. When blood glucose levels drop below 70 mg/dL, the body triggers a cascade of hormonal responses that create these intense physical and mental symptoms as it desperately tries to restore normal energy levels.
Blood sugar crashes occur when the delicate balance between glucose and insulin becomes disrupted, causing blood sugar to plummet rapidly. This drop forces the body to release stress hormones like adrenaline, which explains why people feel jittery, confused, and anxious during these episodes.
Understanding what happens inside the body during a blood sugar crash can help people recognize the warning signs and take action before symptoms become severe. The body’s response involves multiple organ systems working together to restore balance, but this emergency response comes with uncomfortable side effects that can interfere with daily activities and overall well-being.
Key Takeaways
- Blood sugar crashes happen when glucose levels drop below 70 mg/dL, triggering the release of stress hormones that cause symptoms like shakiness and anxiety
- The body responds to low blood sugar by releasing adrenaline and other hormones to quickly raise glucose levels back to normal
- Proper management through diet, monitoring, and quick treatment with 15 grams of carbohydrates can prevent serious complications
What Is a Blood Sugar Crash?
A blood sugar crash occurs when glucose levels drop below 70 mg/dL, triggering various physical symptoms. This condition differs significantly from blood sugar spikes and involves complex regulatory mechanisms that can malfunction.
Definition of Blood Sugar Crash
A blood sugar crash refers to a sudden drop in blood sugar levels, known medically as hypoglycemia. This condition happens when blood glucose falls below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
The body relies on glucose as its primary energy source. When levels drop too low, cells cannot function properly.
Hypoglycemia typically occurs due to an imbalance of insulin and glucose. The pancreas may release too much insulin in response to food intake.
This excess insulin causes blood sugar to plummet rapidly. The condition can affect anyone but is more common in people with diabetes.
Common triggers include:
- Skipping meals
- Excessive exercise
- Too much medication
- Alcohol consumption
The brain depends heavily on glucose for energy. When blood sugar crashes, cognitive function becomes impaired first.
Difference Between Blood Sugar Crash and Blood Sugar Spike
Blood sugar crashes and spikes represent opposite ends of glucose regulation problems. A spike occurs when blood glucose rises above normal levels, typically over 140 mg/dL.
Blood Sugar Crash:
- Glucose below 70 mg/dL
- Causes shakiness, confusion, sweating
- Requires immediate carbohydrate intake
- Can lead to loss of consciousness
Blood Sugar Spike:
- Glucose above 140 mg/dL
- Causes thirst, frequent urination, fatigue
- Requires insulin or medication
- Can damage blood vessels over time
A sugar crash often follows a blood sugar spike when the body overcompensates with insulin. This creates a dangerous cycle of highs and lows.
The timing differs significantly between these conditions. Crashes happen quickly and need fast treatment.
Normal Blood Glucose Regulation
Healthy blood glucose regulation maintains levels between 70-140 mg/dL throughout the day. The pancreas produces insulin to lower blood sugar when it rises after eating.
When blood sugar drops, the pancreas releases glucagon. This hormone signals the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream.
Key regulatory hormones:
- Insulin – lowers blood glucose
- Glucagon – raises blood glucose
- Cortisol – helps maintain glucose during stress
- Adrenaline – provides emergency glucose release
The pancreas normally releases the right amount of insulin in response to carbohydrate intake. However, this process can malfunction in various ways.
Muscle and fat cells absorb glucose when insulin is present. The liver stores excess glucose as glycogen for later use.
During fasting periods, the body breaks down glycogen to maintain steady blood sugar. This system works automatically in healthy individuals.
The Physiology of Blood Sugar Crashes
When blood sugar drops rapidly, the body triggers a complex cascade of hormonal responses. Reactive hypoglycemia occurs when glucose levels fall below normal, disrupting multiple body systems and neurotransmitter function.
Role of Insulin and Glucagon
Insulin and glucagon work together to maintain stable blood sugar levels. When someone eats high-sugar foods, the pancreas releases large amounts of insulin to lower blood glucose.
Insulin’s primary functions include:
- Moving glucose from blood into cells
- Stopping glucose production in the liver
- Promoting fat storage
Sometimes the body produces too much insulin in response to sugary meals. This excessive insulin production causes blood sugar to drop too low too quickly.
Glucagon acts as insulin’s opposite hormone. The pancreas releases glucagon when blood sugar falls below normal levels. It signals the liver to release stored glucose back into the bloodstream.
During blood sugar crashes, glucagon release may not happen fast enough. This creates a dangerous gap where glucose levels remain dangerously low.
Hormonal Responses and Stress Hormones
The body treats low blood sugar as an emergency situation. Multiple stress hormones activate to restore normal glucose levels.
Key stress hormones involved:
| Hormone | Function | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Cortisol | Increases glucose production | Raises blood sugar slowly |
| Adrenaline | Triggers glucose release | Provides quick energy boost |
| Growth hormone | Promotes glucose creation | Sustains longer-term recovery |
Adrenaline causes many crash symptoms people experience. It triggers rapid heartbeat, sweating, and shakiness. The body releases adrenaline within minutes of detecting low glucose.
Cortisol takes longer to work but provides sustained glucose elevation. It helps the liver create new glucose from other sources like proteins and fats.
Impact on Neurotransmitters
The brain depends entirely on glucose for energy. When glucose drops too low, brain function becomes impaired.
Low blood sugar directly affects neurotransmitter production and function. Serotonin levels drop, causing mood changes and irritability. Dopamine function decreases, leading to poor concentration and motivation.
GABA, the brain’s calming neurotransmitter, becomes less effective during crashes. This explains why people feel anxious and restless when blood sugar is low.
The brain also struggles to produce acetylcholine properly. This neurotransmitter controls memory and learning, which is why thinking becomes difficult during crashes.
These neurotransmitter changes explain common symptoms like confusion, difficulty focusing, and mood swings. The effects typically reverse once blood sugar returns to normal levels.
Signs and Symptoms of Blood Sugar Crashes
Blood sugar crashes cause distinct physical and mental symptoms that range from mild discomfort to serious complications. The body’s response to dropping glucose levels triggers a cascade of warning signs that affect both physical function and cognitive abilities.
Major Physical Symptoms
Shakiness is often the first noticeable sign of a blood sugar crash. The hands may tremble, and the entire body can feel unsteady.
Sweating occurs as the body releases adrenaline in response to low glucose. This sweating often comes with chills or clamminess, even in normal temperatures.
Fatigue sets in quickly during an energy crash. People feel suddenly drained and weak, as if their energy has been completely depleted.
Lightheadedness and dizziness are common as the brain struggles with reduced glucose supply. Some people feel like they might faint or fall over.
Other physical signs include:
- Fast heartbeat
- Hunger pangs that feel urgent
- Nausea or stomach discomfort
- Pale skin color
- Tingling in lips, tongue, or cheeks
- Blurred vision
These symptoms occur because low blood sugar triggers the release of epinephrine, the body’s fight-or-flight hormone.
Cognitive and Mood Effects
Brain fog is a hallmark symptom that makes thinking feel cloudy and unclear. Simple tasks become challenging when glucose levels drop too low.
Difficulty concentrating affects work performance and daily activities. People struggle to focus on conversations, reading, or problem-solving.
Irritability strikes suddenly and intensely. Many people describe feeling short-tempered or impatient without obvious cause.
Anxiety can develop as adrenaline floods the system. This creates nervousness and a sense of panic that feels overwhelming.
Becoming “hangry” combines hunger with anger or frustration. This mood change happens because the brain needs steady glucose to regulate emotions properly.
Sugar cravings and carb cravings become intense as the body seeks quick energy sources. These cravings feel urgent and hard to ignore.
Confusion and coordination problems may also occur during more severe episodes.
Severity and Complications
Mild symptoms like shakiness and sweating typically appear when blood sugar drops below 70 mg/dL. These early warning signs allow time for treatment.
Moderate symptoms include stronger anxiety, marked confusion, and coordination problems. Vision may become more blurred, and speech can sound slurred.
Severe complications develop if blood sugar continues dropping. The brain stops functioning properly without adequate glucose, leading to dangerous outcomes.
Critical warning signs include:
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Extreme confusion
- Inability to swallow
Studies show that 75% of blood sugar crashes go unrecognized by patients. This makes monitoring symptoms crucial for safety.
Without treatment, severe crashes can lead to coma or death, though this is rare. Quick action during early symptoms prevents these serious complications.
Causes and Triggers of Blood Sugar Crashes
Blood sugar crashes happen when glucose levels drop too quickly, often triggered by eating patterns, meal timing, or physical activity. The body’s insulin response to certain foods and lifestyle factors creates an energy rollercoaster that leads to uncomfortable symptoms.
Dietary Patterns and Sugary Foods
Eating sugary foods and simple carbohydrates creates a rapid spike in blood glucose. The pancreas responds by releasing large amounts of insulin to manage this sudden increase.
This insulin surge often overcorrects the blood sugar level. Within 1-4 hours after eating, glucose drops below normal ranges.
Foods that commonly trigger crashes include:
- Candy and sweets
- White bread and pastries
- Sugary drinks and sodas
- Processed snacks
The body processes these simple sugars very quickly. Without fiber, protein, or healthy fats to slow absorption, glucose enters the bloodstream rapidly.
Reactive hypoglycemia occurs when the body releases too much insulin after meals high in refined carbohydrates. This creates the classic energy rollercoaster effect.
People who eat frequent sugary snacks often experience repeated crashes throughout the day. Each crash triggers cravings for more quick energy sources.
Effects of Skipped or Unbalanced Meals
Missing meals causes blood sugar to drop naturally as the body uses stored glucose for energy. Going more than 4-5 hours without eating often leads to hypoglycemia symptoms.
Unbalanced meals lacking protein, fiber, or healthy fats fail to provide steady energy release. Meals containing only carbohydrates digest quickly and leave blood sugar unstable.
Components of balanced meals include:
- Protein: Slows digestion and provides sustained energy
- Fiber: Moderates glucose absorption from carbohydrates
- Healthy fats: Help stabilize blood sugar levels
- Complex carbohydrates: Release energy more gradually
Poor meal timing disrupts the body’s natural glucose regulation. Eating large meals followed by long periods without food creates dramatic swings in blood sugar.
Hydration also affects blood sugar stability. Dehydration can worsen hypoglycemia symptoms and make crashes feel more severe.
People who skip breakfast often experience mid-morning crashes. The body has already used overnight glucose stores and needs fuel to maintain stable levels.
Exercise and Physical Activity
Physical activity uses glucose from the bloodstream for energy. Exercise can cause blood sugar crashes when the body’s glucose supply becomes depleted during or after activity.
Intense workouts deplete muscle glucose stores rapidly. If blood sugar was already low before exercise, hypoglycemia symptoms can develop quickly.
The timing of meals relative to exercise affects crash risk. Working out on an empty stomach increases the likelihood of low blood sugar episodes.
Exercise-related factors that trigger crashes:
- High-intensity activities lasting over 30 minutes
- Training without proper pre-workout nutrition
- Extended cardio sessions
- Multiple workout sessions in one day
Post-exercise crashes can occur 4-8 hours after activity ends. The body continues using glucose to replenish muscle stores even after the workout finishes.
Inadequate hydration during exercise worsens blood sugar instability. Dehydration affects the body’s ability to regulate glucose effectively.
People new to exercise routines may experience more frequent crashes. Their bodies haven’t adapted to efficiently managing glucose during increased activity levels.
Blood Sugar Crashes in Diabetes and Other Conditions
Blood sugar crashes affect people with diabetes differently than those without the condition, with varying causes and severity depending on the underlying medical situation. Several medical conditions beyond diabetes can also trigger dangerous drops in blood glucose levels.
Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
People with type 1 diabetes face the highest risk of severe blood sugar crashes. Their pancreas produces no insulin, making them completely dependent on injected insulin to regulate blood glucose levels.
Taking too much insulin or missing meals can cause dangerous hypoglycemia. Exercise also increases crash risk by lowering blood sugar faster than expected.
Type 2 diabetes patients experience crashes differently. Those taking insulin or certain medications like sulfonylureas face similar risks to type 1 patients.
However, many type 2 patients manage their condition through diet and medications that don’t typically cause hypoglycemia. Insulin or other medicine used to lower blood sugar can lead to hypoglycemia after eating in diabetes patients.
Both types benefit from continuous glucose monitors to track blood glucose levels and prevent crashes before they become severe.
Prediabetes and Insulin Resistance
Prediabetes creates unique blood sugar patterns that can trigger crashes. The body still produces insulin, but cells don’t respond properly, leading to insulin resistance.
This condition causes the pancreas to overproduce insulin. When blood sugar drops after meals, excess insulin can drive glucose too low, creating reactive crashes.
Prediabetes is a risk factor for reactive hypoglycemia because the body may not make the right amount of insulin. People with prediabetes often experience afternoon energy crashes and sugar cravings.
Insulin sensitivity varies throughout the day in prediabetic individuals. Morning insulin resistance may be followed by afternoon hypersensitivity, leading to unpredictable blood sugar swings.
Early intervention through diet and exercise can improve metabolic health and reduce crash frequency.
Reactive and Fasting Hypoglycemia
Reactive hypoglycemia occurs within four hours of eating. This condition, also called postprandial hypoglycemia, can happen without having diabetes.
High-carbohydrate meals trigger insulin spikes that can overshoot, dropping blood sugar below normal levels. Symptoms include shakiness, sweating, and irritability appearing 2-4 hours after meals.
Fasting hypoglycemia develops during periods without food. It typically indicates underlying medical conditions affecting glucose production or insulin regulation.
This type is less common but more serious than reactive hypoglycemia. It may signal liver disease, kidney problems, or hormone deficiencies affecting blood sugar control.
Most experts think reactive hypoglycemia relates to foods eaten and digestion timing, while fasting types require medical investigation.
Dumping Syndrome and Other Medical Causes
Dumping syndrome affects people who have undergone stomach surgery. Food moves too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine, causing rapid sugar absorption followed by crashes.
Recent stomach surgery makes it difficult to digest food properly, leading to blood sugar imbalance. This condition requires careful meal planning and smaller, frequent meals.
Enzyme deficiencies can prevent proper food breakdown, affecting glucose absorption patterns. Though rare, these conditions disrupt normal blood sugar regulation.
Hormonal imbalances involving cortisol or glucagon can destabilize blood glucose levels. These hormones help maintain steady blood sugar between meals.
Kidney disease, liver problems, and certain medications can also trigger hypoglycemic episodes. Each condition requires specific medical management to prevent dangerous blood sugar drops.
Short- and Long-Term Impacts on Metabolism and Energy
Blood sugar crashes create immediate energy drops and trigger lasting changes in how the body processes glucose. These metabolic disruptions affect insulin sensitivity and can lead to chronic energy instability over time.
Energy Fluctuations and Performance
The body experiences dramatic energy swings during blood sugar crashes. Blood glucose levels drop rapidly after the initial spike, causing fatigue and mental fog within 1-2 hours of eating high-sugar foods.
Immediate energy effects include:
- Sharp decline in physical stamina
- Reduced mental focus and concentration
- Increased hunger and sugar cravings
- Mood changes and irritability
Performance drops significantly during these crashes. The brain relies heavily on steady glucose levels for optimal function. When blood glucose falls too quickly, cognitive tasks become harder to complete.
Energy crashes also trigger stress hormone release. Cortisol and adrenaline spike to help raise blood sugar back to normal levels. This creates a cycle of energy highs followed by deeper lows.
The body’s natural glucose regulation systems become overwhelmed. Simple carbohydrates cause faster rises in blood sugar and insulin secretion, leading to more severe crashes afterward.
Metabolic Health Consequences
Repeated blood sugar crashes damage long-term metabolic health. The pancreas works overtime to produce insulin during frequent spikes and crashes. This constant demand can lead to insulin resistance over time.
Insulin sensitivity decreases with chronic blood sugar instability. Cells become less responsive to insulin signals, requiring higher amounts to move glucose from blood into tissues. This creates a dangerous cycle of worsening glucose regulation.
Long-term metabolic changes include:
- Reduced insulin effectiveness
- Slower glucose clearance from blood
- Increased fat storage, especially around the abdomen
- Higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes
The liver also suffers from repeated crashes. It must constantly release stored glucose to correct low blood sugar episodes. High-caloric diets trigger liver changes that affect brain insulin responsiveness and contribute to weight gain.
Metabolism becomes less efficient at burning fat for energy. The body relies more heavily on quick glucose sources, making sustained energy production harder to maintain throughout the day.
Prevention and Immediate Management of Blood Sugar Crashes
Preventing blood sugar crashes requires a combination of proper meal planning, strategic food choices, and immediate intervention techniques. Quick treatment methods can stop dangerous drops while long-term dietary changes help maintain stable glucose levels throughout the day.
Diet and Balanced Meals
Balanced meals form the foundation of blood sugar stability. Each meal should contain a mix of complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and healthy fats to slow glucose absorption and prevent rapid spikes followed by crashes.
Meal composition guidelines:
- 25% lean protein (chicken, fish, beans, eggs)
- 25% complex carbohydrates (quinoa, brown rice, sweet potatoes)
- 25% non-starchy vegetables (broccoli, spinach, peppers)
- 25% healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, nuts)
Meal timing plays a crucial role in prevention. Eating every 3-4 hours helps maintain steady glucose levels and prevents the body from experiencing dramatic fluctuations.
People should avoid skipping meals entirely. Missing breakfast or lunch can trigger severe crashes later in the day when the body’s glucose stores become depleted.
Role of Protein and Fiber
Protein and fiber work together to slow carbohydrate absorption and maintain stable blood sugar levels. These nutrients create a buffer that prevents rapid glucose spikes and subsequent crashes.
High-fiber foods for blood sugar control:
- Oats and barley (6-8 grams fiber per serving)
- Black beans and lentils (12-15 grams fiber per cup)
- Apples with skin (4-5 grams fiber per medium apple)
- Chia seeds (10 grams fiber per 2 tablespoons)
Protein requirements vary by individual, but most adults need 20-30 grams per meal. Good sources include Greek yogurt, lean meats, tofu, and nuts.
Fiber slows digestion and helps glucose enter the bloodstream gradually. Adults should aim for 25-35 grams of fiber daily from whole food sources rather than supplements.
Glucose Tablets and Quick Interventions
When blood sugar crashes occur, immediate treatment follows the 15-15 rule for managing hypoglycemia. This approach helps raise glucose levels safely without causing dangerous spikes.
Fast-acting glucose sources (15 grams each):
| Food Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Glucose tablets | 3-4 tablets |
| Regular soda | 1/2 cup |
| Fruit juice | 1/2 cup |
| Honey | 1 tablespoon |
| Hard candy | 5-6 pieces |
After consuming 15 grams of carbohydrates, individuals should wait 15 minutes and recheck blood sugar. If levels remain below 70 mg/dL, they should consume another 15-gram serving.
People should avoid using chocolate or foods with fat during crashes. Fat slows glucose absorption and delays recovery from dangerous low blood sugar episodes.
Lifestyle Modifications
Regular physical activity helps improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. However, exercise timing requires careful consideration to prevent crashes during or after workouts.
Hydration supports proper glucose metabolism. Dehydration can worsen blood sugar instability and make crashes more likely to occur.
Key lifestyle changes:
- Check blood sugar before and after exercise
- Carry emergency glucose supplies at all times
- Maintain consistent sleep schedules (7-9 hours nightly)
- Manage stress through meditation or relaxation techniques
People with frequent crashes should monitor their blood glucose levels more frequently. Continuous glucose monitors help track patterns and identify triggers that lead to dangerous drops.
Alcohol consumption requires special attention. Drinking without food can cause severe overnight crashes, particularly when combined with diabetes medications or insulin.
Frequently Asked Questions
People often have questions about blood sugar crashes, from what triggers them in healthy individuals to when they become dangerous. Understanding the warning signs, emergency treatments, and body’s natural responses helps people recognize and manage these episodes effectively.
What are the common triggers of non-diabetic hypoglycemia?
Non-diabetic blood sugar crashes can occur through two main types: reactive and fasting hypoglycemia. Reactive hypoglycemia happens after eating, typically within a few hours of a meal.
Common causes of reactive hypoglycemia include prediabetes or high diabetes risk. Rare enzyme deficiencies that make food breakdown difficult can also trigger episodes.
Dumping syndrome causes the body to release excess insulin after eating carbohydrate-heavy meals. This leads to blood sugar dropping too low hours later.
Fasting hypoglycemia has different triggers entirely. Certain medications like aspirin, sulfa antibiotics, and malaria treatments can cause blood sugar drops.
Alcohol consumption, especially binge drinking, frequently leads to hypoglycemic episodes. Serious illnesses affecting the liver, heart, or kidneys also contribute to low blood sugar.
Low hormone levels create another risk factor. Reduced cortisol, growth hormone, or epinephrine can all trigger blood sugar crashes.
Tumors in the pancreas sometimes produce excess insulin. This overproduction drives blood glucose levels dangerously low.
At what point does low blood sugar become life-threatening?
Blood sugar becomes dangerous when levels drop below 70 mg/dL and continue falling. The brain needs glucose to function properly and starts shutting down without adequate fuel.
Severe symptoms indicate a medical emergency requiring immediate attention. These include seizures, loss of consciousness, and inability to wake up or respond normally.
When blood sugar stays extremely low for extended periods, brain damage can occur. The brain becomes starved of glucose and begins to fail in critical functions.
Death from hypoglycemia is rare but possible in extreme cases. This typically happens when severe episodes go untreated for too long, causing complete brain shutdown.
People experiencing severe symptoms should call 911 immediately. Emergency medical treatment becomes essential when someone cannot treat themselves safely.
What are the typical symptoms one might experience during a hypoglycemic episode?
Hypoglycemic symptoms vary from person to person but follow predictable patterns. Early warning signs help people recognize dropping blood sugar before it becomes dangerous.
Physical symptoms include shakiness, sweating, and fast heartbeat. Many people feel nervous, anxious, or unusually irritable during episodes.
Dizziness and lightheadedness are common early signs. Hunger often strikes suddenly, accompanied by nausea or stomach discomfort.
Mental symptoms develop as blood sugar continues dropping. Confusion, difficulty concentrating, and blurred vision indicate worsening hypoglycemia.
Coordination problems and clumsiness suggest the brain isn’t getting enough glucose. Slurred speech and numbness in the lips or tongue are serious warning signs.
Advanced symptoms require immediate medical attention. These include seizures, loss of consciousness, and inability to respond to others normally.
Studies show that 75% of hypoglycemia episodes detected by glucose monitors go unrecognized by patients. This makes awareness of symptoms especially important.
Which foods are recommended to consume for quickly raising blood sugar levels?
Quick-acting carbohydrates provide the fastest blood sugar relief during hypoglycemic episodes. The 15-15 rule guides proper emergency treatment for low blood sugar.
Glucose tablets offer the most reliable option for raising blood sugar. Gel tubes provide similar fast-acting glucose in portable form.
Half a cup of juice or regular soda contains about 15 grams of needed carbohydrates. One tablespoon of sugar, honey, or corn syrup also provides quick relief.
Hard candies, jellybeans, and gumdrops work effectively for emergency treatment. People should check food labels to determine proper serving sizes for 15 grams of carbs.
Complex carbohydrates should be avoided during emergencies. Foods containing fats alongside carbs, like chocolate, slow glucose absorption when speed is critical.
The 15-15 rule requires eating 15 grams of carbs, then checking blood sugar after 15 minutes. If levels remain below 70 mg/dL, another 15-gram serving is needed.
Can severe hypoglycemia result in fatality during sleep?
Severe hypoglycemia during sleep poses serious risks but rarely causes death. The body has natural protective mechanisms that often wake people during dangerous episodes.
Nighttime symptoms include nightmares, crying out, or restless sleep. These warning signs often wake the person or their sleeping partner before dangerous levels occur.
People with diabetes face higher nighttime risks, especially after intense exercise. Blood sugar can continue dropping hours after physical activity ends.
The brain triggers adrenaline release when glucose gets too low. This fight-or-flight response typically wakes people before life-threatening levels develop.
Death from nighttime hypoglycemia remains extremely rare. Most fatal cases involve people with severe diabetes complications or those who cannot respond to low blood sugar normally.
Continuous glucose monitors help prevent dangerous nighttime episodes. These devices alert users when blood sugar drops too low during sleep.
What physiological mechanisms does the body activate in response to hypoglycemia?
The body activates several defense mechanisms when blood sugar drops below normal levels. These responses aim to restore glucose and protect vital organs, especially the brain.
Epinephrine, also called adrenaline, releases first when blood sugar falls. This fight-or-flight hormone triggers most hypoglycemic symptoms people experience.
The pancreas stops producing insulin to prevent further glucose removal from blood. This allows existing blood sugar to remain available for immediate energy needs.
Glucagon hormone releases from the pancreas to raise blood sugar. It signals the liver to convert stored glycogen back into usable glucose.
The liver begins producing new glucose through gluconeogenesis. This process creates sugar from proteins and fats when stored carbohydrates run low.
Cortisol and growth hormone release to support blood sugar recovery. These hormones help maintain glucose levels and reduce insulin sensitivity temporarily.
