Insulin Reactions

(Diabetic Shock or Hypoglycemic Reaction) Severe hypoglycemia produced by administration of insulin, manifested by sweating, tremor, anxiety, vertigo, and diplopia, followed by delirium, convulsions and collapse. If the blood glucose drops much below 70 mg/dl the person may go into insulin shock very rapidly. After unusual exercise, or after missing a meal, a person may have more insulin available than is needed to metabolize their glucose supply at that moment and the blood glucose drops and the person may suddenly get very jittery, or may lose consciousness. Often there is enough warning so that a person may eat a piece of candy to raise their blood glucose level. Hypoglycemic reactions can occur in some persons with no history of diabetes.