Diabetes Health Center
Insulin Reaction
Insulin Reaction Overview
An insulin reaction is an excessively low blood sugar level ( hypoglycemia), usually lower than 50 mg/dL. Insulin reactions result from an excess of insulin via an injection or an excess of an insulin-stimulating oral hypoglycemic agent, usually in the sulfonylurea class of drugs. Insulin reactions are more common in people with severe diabetes. Hypoglycemia occurs more often when a person is attempting to achieve near normal blood sugar levels.
Insulin Reaction Causes
Factors that may bring on an insulin reaction include the following:
- Increased activity
- Late or missed meals
- Eating fewer carbohydrates (sugars or starches) than usual
- Drinking alcohol without eating
- Errors in insulin dosage
- Increases in insulin doses
- Uneven absorption of insulin after an insulin injection
- Addition of an oral drug to treat diabetes
- Deterioration of kidney function
- Decreases in thyroid or adrenal function
Insulin Reaction Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of insulin reaction include the following:
Mild
- Hunger
- Warmness
Moderate
Severe
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Hyperactive, bizarre, or psychotic behavior
- Unconsciousness
- Tremors, seizures
- Signs suggesting stroke such as one-sided weakness and slurred speech
Some people with insulin-dependent diabetes experience nighttime (nocturnal) hypoglycemia. Signs and symptoms of nocturnal hypoglycemia include depression, difficulty waking in the morning, early morning headaches or irritability, night sweats, and increased appetite and weight gain. In nocturnal hypoglycemia, the blood sugar level upon awaking may be elevated as a result of the body's attempt to compensate for the low blood sugar level several hours before. This is sometimes called the Somogyi phenomenon. Attempts to lower the morning glucose level may result in a paradoxical worsening of the problem.
Onset of signs and symptoms is generally sudden and within a few hours after injection of short-acting insulin. Onset may occur many hours after injection of long-acting insulin preparations, and an insulin reaction may be more difficult to notice.
When to Seek Medical Care
If a person with diabetes experiences repeated episodes of insulin reaction, he or she should see the doctor to determine if an adjustment in insulin dose is required. This is also true if signs and symptoms suggest hypoglycemia is occurring at night.
The inability to control morning glucose values and the worsening of the problem by increasing amounts of evening or long-acting insulin require an urgent visit to the doctor.
Severe signs and symptoms, such as unconsciousness or seizures, are a medical emergency. Call 911 for an ambulance immediately.
- Bystanders should not attempt to drive the person to the hospital by car because this may seriously delay proper care, which emergency medical personnel in the ambulance can provide.
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- Signs and symptoms that continue despite eating are another indication for seeking emergency care at a hospital.
WebMD Medical Reference from eMedicineHealth
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