15/15 Rule: Do You Know It?
Another discussion brought this to my attention, that maybe we don't know this general rule for treating a low episode.
Here is how it works:
If some one is experiencing a low test first.
If it is below 70 or dropping give them 15 grams of a fast acting carbohydrate.
Wait 15 minutes and test again.
If it is not going up, administer another 15 grams of a fast acting carbohydrate.
Wait 15 minutes and test again.
Repeat this until numbers begin to rise.
If things are not turning around by the third time, you may want to call 911 or find out if there is a glucagon kit. http://www.diabeticconnect.com/search?query=+...= A glucagon kit should be used ONLY as a LAST resort. Read and follow the directions carefully.
What is a low?
It will be different for different folks. So ask the person how they are feeling and what they personally consider a low. Some people can handle lows into the 50's, but a general rule is 70 or less.
What is a fast acting carbohydrate?
One that is simple sugar such as a soda, orange juice, glucose tabs or hard candy. Nothing chocolate, nothing sugar free and nothing with fat or fiber in it. Too often we reach for the wrong thing to raise the levels and it takes too long and we "overdose" them and give them a slow but lasting spike.
The goal is to get the levels to rise to at least 70 and get someone to eat a "normal" snack or meal that they would eat to help stabilize the rise.
Call 911 if the person is not responsive or if you really don't know what to do. It is always better to err on the side of caution. Just because someone is diabetic, doesn't mean that their condition is sugar related. We are susceptible to so many other things.
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16 replies
Nice reminder of 15/15 rule to apply. Thanks
Thanks for the reminder, Gabby. I need to show this to my hubby. Last week there were a few occasions I dropped into the low 70's. Made me think that I had better explaun this to him, in case I go lower and need a clearer head to remind me what to do. Once I was in the mid 40 range and didn't make the wisest selection. Would be nice to have him be able to redirect me when it happens.
Thanks for the info. I did not know this
great reminder…we keep canned orange juice, grapefruit juice and mini regular soda for emergency lows. they are great in a pinch
HELLO GABBY..YOUR PAST SUPPORT HAS BEEN AWESOME…THANK YOU
AND I AM BACK HERE AGAIN…AFTER ABOUT I YEAR…THANKS FOR WELCOMING ME BACK…
Good to see you have returned. We are hard to leave for too long. LOL
welcome back Love!
THANK YOU FOR THE WELCOME..I APPRECIATE YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE THAT IS HERE.
Thanks, your explanation is so useful.
I started having lots of lows after starting new insulin humbling R U-500 insulin 5 times concentrated as reg u-100 insulin but works well
So I started keep oh in my little fridge by my bed and crackers and peanut butter on the go small little packets of peanut butter candy blood sugar machine glucose tablets, gel and glucagon kit at bedside with note on wall with insulin dose and what to do with symptoms to watch for emergency numbers and if I don't respond to treatment to call 911 and tell them I'm a insulin dependent type 2 diabetic all by bedside with care plan All drs names and numbers my diagnosis my meds my allergies family to call all medical info anyone may need anyone who has come to help me is so thankful for having all this right there and accessible they r able to help me faster especially if I'm alone at the time.
HELLO MARYBETH..I DO HOPE YOU ARE GETTING LEVELED OFF WITH YOUR
TYPE 2 DIABETES, SOME OF THE SMALL CHANGES WE MAKE CAN ACTUALLY
HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON HOW WE FEEL…
TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS YOU FROM…
LOVE TO LAUGH
This is a great way to plan ahead and give your helpers all the information they need. Sometimes we just need to know what to do to help. That is fantastic.
Yes gabby great reminder what's lowest anyone has ever had I sometimes am alone sometimes my 13 yr old son is here and knows exactly what to do if I start vomiting and it's under 50 I take glucagon kit
Great reminder Gabby.
Like Joyce and Nick I didn't know about the "rule of 15s" (as I like to call it) UNTIL I had been on DC for a while. It hadn't been covered in my diabetes education classes or in my monthly diabetes support group.
One thing I would add is: once the Blood Glucose (BG) level is brought up and it is not yet time to eat a meal, I would suggest eating something containing a protein — like something with peanut butter in or on it. That would keep the BG from falling again when the "mini spike" from the 15 gm of carbohydrates drops off'
Like Nick I learned something new. It is true you learn something new everyday.
I guess I didn't know it was a rule (learned something new again here!). The way it was explaing to me was "small doses at intervals" until numbers recover. The D education I recieved early on was, let's say "adequacy challenged".