No Perfect Numbers Back to the site

Need help now?

Very low blood sugar, high ketones, or being sick and unable to keep fluids down: here is what to do right now. If something feels seriously wrong, contact someone. You are not overreacting, and you will not be wasting anyone's time.

999 A life-threatening emergency: unconscious, fitting, very drowsy, or breathing badly NHS 111 Urgent, but not an emergency. Free advice, any time
Your diabetes team has an urgent contact number too. It is okay to use it.
What is happening?

Your blood sugar is low and you can still swallow

Have fast-acting sugar now: around 15 to 20 grams, which is a small glass of juice or non-diet cola, or 4 to 5 glucose tablets. Check again in 10 to 15 minutes; if you are still low, repeat. Once you are back up, follow the plan your team gave you. Do not drive. If it keeps dropping or you feel worse, get someone with you and call 999 if in doubt.

Someone's blood sugar is so low they cannot treat it themselves (a severe hypo)

If they can swallow safely, give fast-acting sugar the way you have been shown, then recheck. If they cannot swallow safely, are unconscious or fitting, call 999: never put food or drink in their mouth. Use glucagon if you have it and are trained.

High blood sugar with ketones (possible DKA)

High glucose plus ketones, tummy pain, feeling sick, thirst, or fruity-smelling breath can be diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Keep sipping fluids, do not stop your insulin, and contact your diabetes team or NHS 111 now. Vomiting or getting worse: call 999.

Vomiting, or a sick day you cannot manage

Never stop your insulin, even if you are not eating. Check glucose and ketones more often and keep sipping fluids. If you cannot keep fluids down, call NHS 111, and 999 if you are getting drowsy or breathing fast.

Never stop your insulin

Even when you are not eating or you are being sick, your body still needs background insulin. Stopping it is what tips things towards DKA. When in doubt, ring.

General guidance, not medical advice, and not a substitute for your own care plan. Always follow the advice your diabetes team has given you. Based on UK guidance: NHS on low blood sugar and NHS on DKA.