We all know that much research has been done to find out what complications are caused by high blood glucose readings. Has any research been done to determine what, if any, complications result from low blood glucose incidences?

There is an enormous amount of research about hypoglycemia. Acute complications are obvious and include not thinking well all the way to convulsions/seizures and coma. Taking tests, learning, memory, driving, operating machinery are all compromised with hypoglycemia in ways that may be similar to alcohol or drug exposure at the moment. Work by Professor William Clarke and colleagues in Charlottesville Virginia in teens and young adults as well as Dr Chris Ryan and colleagues in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania in children has been helpful in sorting this out. Work by Professor Brian Frier in Scotland has also been extremely valuable but there are many others. Long term complications of hypoglycemia are less well worked out but may not be as worrisome as previously thought. Suspicions of brain dysfunction and learning problems have not been confirmed with more modern research studies such as those from Zurich Children’s Hospital in research led by Professor Eugen Schoenle. Nevertheless, the fears of hypoglycemia sometimes interfere with obtaining best glucose control especially if the hypoglycemia has included seizures or unconscious episodes. Finally, optimal glucose control definitions must include the best possible hemoglobin A1c, best possible day-to-day glucose values and always making major attempts at minimizing hypoglycemic events especially those that are the most severe and worrisome.

SB