Blood sugar levels between 11-44 mg/dl (0.6-2.42 mmol/l) fasting

Blood sugar level 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 mg/dl are considered very low and immediate measures should be taken in order to prevent death.

Blood sugar levels between 11-44 mg/dl 
(0.6-2.42 mmol/l) fasting - Why it happens?

Although fasting is one of the main causes of hypoglycemia, it rarely can cause such levels of hypoglycemia.

This can only happen in severe under nutrition conditions such as advanced gastrointestinal cancers when the patient is almost totally unable to eat, or other very advanced cancerous conditions, in Kwashiorkor or Marasmus (under nutrition conditions), in severe anorexia and bulimia nervosa etc.

When fasting, hypoglycemia happens due to the lack of glucose intake, so the body does not get the proper amount of glucose it needs.

Blood sugar levels between 11-44 mg/dl (0.6-2.42 mmol/l) fasting - How dangerous is it?

Blood sugar level 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 mg/dl is mortal if not diagnosed and treated straight away.

Blood sugar levels between 11-44 mg/dl 
(0.6-2.42 mmol/l) fasting - Symptoms

Such blood sugar levels are classified as severe hypoglycemia. The symptoms include those of hypoglycemia but more severe:

1.   Seizures or convulsions

2.   Loss of consciousness

3.   Coma

4.   Low body temperature(hypothermia)

If the time in which the patient is experiencing such severe hypoglycemia is prolonged, irreversible brain damages and heart problems are possible to happen.

Blood sugar levels between 11-44 mg/dl 
(0.6-2.42 mmol/l) fasting - Treatment

People with blood sugar level 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 mg/dl are in mortal danger and thus, the treatment should take place in the specialized hospitals.

The first thing to do is to immediately put something sweet (sugar, candy, chocolate etc) in the mouth of the patient. This may require the use of force in most of the times because these people are unconscious and usually have seizures or convulsions.

Once hospitalized, the patient is given additional intravenous glucose until blood sugar levels reach the normal ranges. Checking the glucose level each 10-15 minutes is necessary for a proper follow-up of the patient.

Blood sugar levels between 11-44 mg/dl 
(0.6-2.42 mmol/l) fasting - Prevention

To prevent future episodes of such low blood sugar level, there are changes to me made in the eating habits of the patient. Treating the underlying diseases that led to such severe life-threatening hypoglycemia is a must.