Monitoring your blood sugar levels
Did you know your blood sugar can be too low as well as too high? Those swings may happen with insulin treatment. Just know that monitoring your blood sugar as directed by your doctor gives you useful information that can help manage your diabetes.
CHANGES ARE NORMAL
Things like stress, your diet, other medications, exercise, and more can affect your blood sugar. This is completely normal. Ask your healthcare provider how often you should test your blood sugar and what it should be. That’s a sure way to keep an eye on your levels and adjust as needed based on your doctor’s advice.
STAY ALERT FOR LOW BLOOD SUGAR
The most common side effect of insulins, including BASAGLAR, is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which may become serious and cause seizures or death. It’s important to know the symptoms of low blood sugar, so if it does happen, you’re ready to treat it immediately. Always remember that blood sugar below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is too low.
SELECT SAFETY INFORMATION
Warning
Basaglar may cause serious side effects that can lead to death such as:
- Severe allergic reaction.
Get emergency help right away if you have:- a rash over your whole body
- trouble breathing
- a fast heartbeat
- swelling of your face, tongue, or throat
- sweating
- shortness of breath
- extreme drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion
POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS OF LOW BLOOD SUGAR
Low blood sugar symptoms can include:
- Hunger
- Shaking
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Seizures
- Slurred speech
- Sweating
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Fast heartbeat
- Mood change
- Unconsciousness
Below is a handy rule of thumb for treating low blood sugar, but make sure to treat low blood sugar like your healthcare provider told you.
LIVE BY THE 15/15 RULE TREATMENT
The 15-15 rule—have 15 grams of carbohydrate to raise your blood sugar and check it after 15 minutes. If it’s still below 70 mg/dL, have another serving.
Repeat these steps until your blood sugar is at least 70 mg/dL. Once your blood sugar is back to normal, eat a meal or snack to make sure it doesn’t lower again.
This may be:
- Glucose tablets (see instructions)
- Gel tube (see instructions)
- 4 ounces (1/2 cup) of juice or regular soda (not diet)
- 1 tablespoon of sugar, honey, or corn syrup
- Hard candies, jellybeans, or gumdrops—see food label for how many to consume
Make a note about any episodes of low blood sugar and talk with your health care team about why it happened. They can suggest ways to avoid low blood sugar in the future.
Many people tend to want to eat as much as they can until they feel better. This can cause blood sugar levels to shoot way up. Using the step-wise approach of the "15-15 Rule" can help you avoid this, preventing high blood sugar levels.
Talk to your doctor about low blood sugar and how to manage it.
SELECT SAFETY INFORMATION
Warning
Basaglar may cause serious side effects that can lead to death such as:
- Low potassium in your blood. This can lead to severe breathing problems, irregular heartbeat, and death.