The goal of treating reactive hypoglycemia (also know as low blood glucose) is to raise the blood glucose to a safe level: above 70 mg/dl. The treatment of a reactive hypoglycemia episode is to eat or drink 15 grams of carbohydrate. Fifteen grams of carbohydrate will often raise your blood glucose level 50-75 mg in 15 minutes - this is called the 15/15 guideline.

Steps for the 15/15 guideline for reactive hypoglycemia

If you suspect your blood glucose is low, there is a good chance that you are under a spell of reactive hypoglycemia. Check your blood glucose with a glucose meter, if one is available to make sure it is not reactive hypoglycemia. If you are feeling quite low and are uneasy about your feelings, skip this step.

Eat or drink 15 grams of carbohydrate and wait 15 minutes for this food or beverage to raise your blood glucose. 15 minutes may seem like a long time, but patience is needed for reactive hypoglycemia. If you consume more carbohydrate than needed, you will then experience the opposite of reactive hypoglycemia: a high blood glucose level. Also, overtreating reactive hypoglycemia by eating more than necessary can lead to weight gain.

After 15 minutes, check your blood glucose again to be sure it is up above 70 mg/dl. If not, you might be suffering from severe reactive hypoglycemia or moderate reactive hypoglycemia. Eat or drink another 15 grams of carbohydrate. Again wait 15 minutes and recheck your blood glucose. When your blood glucose is above 70 go to step 4.

If you next meal is more than 1 hour away, eat another 15 grams of carbohydrate to prevent a relapse of reactive hypoglycemia. Do this before you eat your meal.

Keep records of your reactive hypoglycemia episodes

Keeping records of your reactive hypoglycemia episodes will help you and your diabetes care team to figure out the best treatment guidelines for you in different situations, and help prevent another episode of reactive hypoglycemia.