It’s easy to panic when your glucose is low. Your heart races, adrenaline kicks in, and your brain screams, “Eat everything!” That urge is normal—hypoglycemia can impair your ability to think clearly. But panic-eating often leads to rebound highs, followed by another correction, then another low: the typical blood sugar roller coaster.

This page serves as your practical guide to low blood sugar treatment: what to do initially, how much fast-acting carbohydrate to consume, how to account for insulin on board (IOB), how CGM and AID systems alter the approach, and when a low becomes an emergency.

What should you do first when you suspect a low?

Stop what you’re doing.Sit down if you can. Safety comes first.
Check your glucosewith your CGM or meter.
Treat immediatelyif your blood sugar drops below 70 mg/dL or if it’s rapidly falling and you have symptoms.
Recheckto confirm you’re rising—and then decide if a second treatment is needed.

Important CGM note: CGMs may lag behind blood glucose levels, especially during rapid changes. If your symptoms don’t match your CGM readings, use a fingerstick meter whenever possible.

What is the 15-15 rule for hypoglycemia?

The most common initial method is the 15-15 rule for hypoglycemia.

Take 15 gramsof fast-acting carbohydrate.
Wait for 15 minutes.
Double-check your glucose level or confirm that your CGM is rising clearly.
If still below 70 mg/dL (or not increasing), repeat with another 15 grams.

Don’t “stack snacks.” The main reason for rebound highs after a low is treating again before the first treatment has had enough time to work.

How many carbs should you consume for a low?

For many adults, 15 grams is a good starting point. However, treatment often works best when you make slight adjustments for your specific situation.

A simple, practical starting dose

Have about 1 gram of fast carbs for every 10 pounds of body weight (example: 150 lb → approximately 15 grams).
Small children often need less (6–10 grams), depending on their size and your clinician’s plan.

When you might need more than the standard 15 grams

Insulin on board (IOB): If you have active rapid-acting insulin still working, you might need extra carbs. Many people add additional carbs when significant IOB is present, such as an amount that matches your IOB and insulin-to-carb ratio. If you use this approach, do it consistently and review your patterns with your clinician—especially if you experience frequent lows.
Extra activity:A walk, workout, heavy chores, or “unexpected movement” can increase insulin sensitivity.
Taking a meal bolus without eating: If you bolused but didn’t eat, or ate much less, you may need a larger, more structured rescue.

What are the best “quick carbs” to treat a low?

Choose quick-acting carbs that are easy to measure. Glucose (dextrose) tablets are perfect because they require minimal digestion and are less tempting to overeat.

Quick carbs that provide about 15 gra

Option	Typical amount (~15 g)
Glucose tablets	3–4 tablets (check the label)
Glucose gel	1 small tube (check the label)
Juice or regular soda (not diet)	4 oz (½ cup)
Table sugar or honey	1 tablespoon
Dextrose candies (varies by brand)	Use a label or a counted “known” portion

Try to avoid chocolate, cookies, or high-fat treats as your first choice for relief. Fat slows absorption and increases the risk of overtreatment. Also, avoid juices if the amount is not precisely measured.

How do you manage a low without triggering a rebound high?

Your body is already helping by releasing stored glucose from the liver, which is part of the adrenaline response. If you “binge until you stop shaking,” you’ll often feel high afterward—even if you felt desperate at the moment.

Use this anti-roller-coaster checklist:

Treat early (at the first CGM alert or initial symptoms).
Measure your carbs (tablets, gel, or portion-controlled rescue works best).
Wait long enough before taking more (15 minutes for a meter recheck; often 20 minutes to see clear CGM improvement due to lag).
Once you’re thinking clearly, determine if you really need more food or just more time.

If you overshoot the treatment: Once you’re safely out of the low and your brain is functioning again, you can estimate how many “extra” carbs you consumed. Some people choose to dose for those additional carbs to prevent a rebound high. If you do this, avoid aggressive “catch-up” dosing, consider IOB, and follow your care team’s guidance. Many AID systems can also help limit the high over time.

How does treatment change when using a CGM or an AID system?

If you use a CGM

Use trend arrows and rate of fall to treat earlier.
Remember that CGM readings can lag behind blood glucose, especially during rapid drops or recovery.
If you feel low but the CGM looks okay, confirm with a fingerstick if possible.

If you use an AID system (automated insulin delivery)

Most AID systems reduce basal insulin as glucose drops. That often means you need fewer carbs than before for the same “glucose number,” especially if you treat early. If you’re repeatedly rebounding high after treating lows on AID, it’s a clear sign that your rescue carbs are overshooting.

When does hypoglycemia become an emergency, and what actions should others take?

Severe hypoglycemia means you need assistance from someone else because you’re too confused to manage it yourself, can’t swallow safely, have a seizure, or are unconscious.

Call 911 if the person is unconscious, seizing, or unable to swallow safely.
Do not give food or drink orally in these situations (choking risk).
Use glucagon if available (nasal or injectable), then follow emergency instructions.

Action step: Ask your clinician about keeping glucagon available, and instruct family, friends, and coworkers on its location and use.

How long should you wait before driving or operating machinery?

Hypoglycemia can impair reaction time and judgment, and these skills may take longer to recover than your blood glucose level. If you’ve had a moderate or severe low:

Don’t drive when you’re low. Pull over safely if you notice symptoms.
Treat, then recheck and wait until you are clearly within a safe range and stable.
Aiming to stay above approximately 90 mg/dL before driving provides an extra margin of safety.

What if you’re low right before a meal?

If a low occurs right before eating, treat the low first with quick-acting carbs. Then consider these practical steps:

Don’t skip the meal bolus completely (skipping often causes a big spike in your glucose).
You might think about slightly reducing the meal bolus if you needed to take rescue carbs, especially if your blood sugar was dropping quickly—while still aiming to bolus on time.
If you often go low before meals, that’s a pattern worth addressing in your settings (see Prevention).

How do you put together a “low kit” so you’re prepared anywhere?

Keep fast carbs in predictable spots: bedside, pocket or purse, desk, gym bag, car, and wherever you work out.
Choose something you can easily count, like tabs, gels, or premeasured portions.
If you’ve experienced severe lows or live alone, inquire about glucagon and think about sharing CGM alerts with someone you trust.

Treat quickly, act deliberately, then verify you’re elevating.

The best low blood sugar treatment is repeatable and straightforward: treat early, use measured fast carbs (often the 15-15 rule), wait long enough to see it work, and confirm you’re rising before eating more. If lows are frequent, unpredictable, or severe, involve your diabetes care team—small changes can significantly reduce risk and fear.

You can improve at this. Calmness beats panic—and having a plan beats guessing.

Other Resources

Medical disclaimer: This content is for education and does not replace individualized medical advice. Seek urgent help for severe lows (seizure, unconsciousness, or inability to swallow safely), and talk with your clinician if you’re having frequent or unexplained hypoglycemia.

Last Updated on December 31, 2025

Contents hide

1 What should you do first when you suspect a low?

2 What is the 15-15 rule for hypoglycemia?

3 How many carbs should you consume for a low?

3.1 A simple, practical starting dose

3.2 When you might need more than the standard 15 grams

3.3 What are the best “quick carbs” to treat a low?

4 Use this anti-roller-coaster checklist:

5 How does treatment change when using a CGM or an AID system?

5.1 If you use a CGM

5.2 If you use an AID system (automated insulin delivery)