Overview of Hypoglycemia

Marilyn Tan, MD, Chief of the Endocrine Clinic at Stanford Healthcare, provides an overview of hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is most often caused by diabetic medications. However, hypoglycemia commonly goes undiagnosed when there is an absence of medication that may trigger the disorder. Patients with hypoglycemia may or may not experience symptoms. Common symptoms include nausea, lightheadedness, blurred vision, hunger, shakiness, and confusion. Extreme cases may result in seizures. The vagueness of symptoms are another factor in the delayed or missed diagnosis of hypoglycemia. Monitoring for underlying conditions is important in patients presenting with hypoglycemia such as congenital hyperinsulinism or a result of gastrointestinal surgery. As Dr. Tan explains, patients with hypoglycemia may experience difficulties that significantly impact their quality of life.
Chapters:
Hypoglycemia Overview 00:00
Diagnostic Journey 1:18
Signs and Symptoms 2:31
Underlying Conditions 3:09