Diagnosis

If you use insulin or another diabetes medication to lower your blood sugar, and you have signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, test your blood sugar levels with a blood glucose meter. If the result shows low blood sugar (under 70 mg/dL), treat accordingly.

If you don't use medications known to cause hypoglycemia, your doctor will want to know the following:

• What were your signs and symptoms? If you don't have signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia during your initial visit with your doctor, he or she might have you fast overnight or longer. This will allow low blood sugar symptoms to occur so that he or she can make a diagnosis.

  It's also possible that you'll need to undergo an extended fast in a hospital setting. Or if your symptoms occur after a meal, your doctor will want to test your glucose levels after you eat.

• What is your blood sugar level when you're having symptoms? Your doctor will draw a sample of your blood to be analyzed in the laboratory.
• Do your symptoms disappear when blood sugar levels increase?

In addition, your doctor will likely conduct a physical examination and review your medical history.