What Causes Low Blood Sugar Without Diabetes? 3 Reasons It Drops + How To Feel Better Fast
Your body may be craving carbs—a doctor explains what’s really going on
When you think about who is likely to be impacted by low blood sugar, you may think of someone living with diabetes. Although people with diabetes are most likely to experience symptoms of low blood sugar, anyone can find themselves feeling shaky or lightheaded due to a drop in blood sugar. So, what causes low blood sugar without diabetes, and when should you be worried? We talked to a doctor to find out.
What is non-diabetic hypoglycemia?
If you’re living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you may experience low blood glucose levels as a side effect of your condition. But when low blood sugar occurs in someone without diabetes, it’s known as non-diabetic hypoglycemia.
“Hypoglycemia [low blood sugar] is when blood sugar falls below the normal range,” says Susan Savery, MD, DABOM, a board-certified obesity medicine and primary care physician with PlushCare. “It is most common in people who are being treated for diabetes. Non-diabetic hypoglycemia occurs when the blood sugar falls below the normal range in a person who does not have diabetes.”
Woman's World Answers
A normal fasting glucose level for adults without diabetes is less than 100 mg/dL. (Learn more about normal blood sugar readings by age here.) If you’re not already checking your blood sugar but are interested in doing so, talk to your doctor about a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), an over-the-counter wearable device that provides readings throughout the day.
What causes low blood sugar in people without diabetes?
If you are not diabetic but have experienced symptoms of low blood sugar, you likely have questions about why it’s happening. Here, the most common reasons people without diabetes may experience low blood sugar.
Your body released too much insulin
“The most common reason people without diabetes experience low blood sugar is something called reactive hypoglycemia,” says Dr. Savery. “When you eat, your pancreas naturally releases insulin to help manage your blood sugar levels. However, with reactive hypoglycemia, your pancreas releases too much insulin, which then causes your blood sugar to drop more quickly than it should. This usually happens about two to five hours after you’ve finished eating.”
According to Healthline, reactive hypoglycemia typically occurs in healthy adults without a known underlying condition. It may also be triggered by exercising shortly after eating a high-carbohydrate meal.
You’re on- a low-carb diet or skip meals
Lifestyle choices around eating habits can also play a role in experiencing low blood sugar without diabetes.
“Certain diets, such as low-carb eating plans, can sometimes lead to low blood sugar—particularly if you’re taking medications that increase your risk of low blood sugar,” says Dr. Savery. (More on that below.) “When a person eats irregularly or skips meals, it can throw off the delicate balance between our blood sugar and important hormones like insulin.”
Medications and supplements are also important to consider if you’re experiencing symptoms of low blood sugar without diabetes.
“Non-diabetes medications that can cause hypoglycemia include beta-blockers such as propranolol, quinolone antibiotics such as levofloxacin and ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril,” says Dr. Savery. “Common herbal supplements associated with hypoglycemia include ginseng, chromium, bitter melon and cassia cinnamon.”
How low blood sugar without diabetes is treated
If you’ve had a low blood sugar episode and don’t have diabetes, Dr. Savery offers guidance on what to do next. The first step if you notice symptoms such as shaking, sweating, irritability or brain fog? Check your blood sugar with a blood glucose meter (glucometer) or CGM to determine if it’s actually below the normal range (70 mg/dL). “A continuous glucose monitor can be helpful, since it provides ongoing blood sugar readings throughout the day,” adds Dr. Savery.
If your blood sugar is indeed low, consider if you have any of the risk factors above, such as following a low-carb diet or taking medication that may affect your blood glucose levels. While a one-off incident of low blood sugar generally isn’t cause for concern, you’ll want to talk to your doctor if you experience frequent bouts of non–diabetic hypoglycemia. They can discuss your options, such as making dietary changes or potentially adjusting your medication.
“A medical provider will also take a detailed history including when you eat, what foods you are eating and how these might relate to the low blood sugar episodes,” says Dr. Savery. “In rare cases, they might recommend additional tests to rule out other hormone-related conditions.”
For acute bouts of low blood sugar in otherwise healthy adults that happen every now and then, Dr. Savery recommends sipping ½ to 1 cup of fruit juice or soda or taking 1 to 2 Tbs. of honey. Repeat every 15 minutes until your symptoms resolve, she advises.
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