Hypoglycemia

An abnormal decrease in plasma glucose concentration (<3.9 mmol/L or 70 mg/dL) to a level insufficient to meet metabolic demands, particularly cerebral requirements, resulting in autonomic and neuroglycopenic manifestations. Possible causes in people with fiabetes are overmedication (insulin, sulfonylurea), incorrect timing, skipped meals, excess exercise, and alcohol consumption. Possible causes in people without diabetes are alcohol consumption, accidental ingestion of diabetes medications, critical illness (liver/kidney/heart failure), adrenal insufficiency, growth hormone deficiency, insulinoma, gastric bypass, reactive hypoglycemia due to delayed insulin release, and starvation/malnutrition.