Hypoglycemia classification

Hypoglycemia can be classified based on its severity into 5 categories, including severe hypoglycemia, symptomatic hypoglycemia, asymptomatic hypoglycemia, probable symptomatic hypoglycemia, and pseudo hypoglycemia. It also maybe classified based on severity into mild, moderate and severe subtypes.

Classification of hypoglycemia in diabetics according to the American Diabetes Association‘s (ADA) and the Endocrine Society Workgroup on Hypoglycemia is:^[1][2][3][4]

• Severe event in which patient loses consciousness or becomes very dizzy. Patients usually require the assistance of another person to actively administer carbohydrate or glucagon.
• Resolution of neuroglycopenic symptoms after administration of glucose

• The symptoms of hypoglycemia are seen with plasma glucose concentration ≤70 mg/dL.

• Measured plasma glucose concentration of ≤70 mg/dl without typical symptoms of hypoglycemia.

• When hypoglycemic symptoms do not correlate with low plasma glucose level (but likely due to plasma glucose concentration (70 mg/dL-3.9 mmol/liter).

• Patients with poor glycemic control can experience symptoms of hypoglycemia at plasma glucose levels >70 mg/dL.

• It is characterized by adrenergic and mild neurological symptoms that can be prevented by oral glucose intake.

• It is characterized by the presence of neurological symptoms that can prevent the patient from taking oral glucose and most of the patients need help from an observer.

• It is characterized by the presence of severe neurological symptoms and most of the patients need glucagon and intravenous dextrose.