hypoglycemia

American  

[hahy-poh-glahy-see-mee-uh] / ˌhaɪ poʊ glaɪˈsi mi ə /

noun

Pathology.

1. an abnormally low level of glucose in the blood.

---

hypoglycemia Scientific  

/ hī′pō-glī-sē′mē-ə /

1. An abnormally low level of sugar in the blood, most commonly caused by excessive doses of insulin in people with diabetes or by excessive ingestion of alcohol or certain other drugs. It can cause weakness, dizziness, disorientation, and, if prolonged, permanent brain damage.

---

Other Word Forms

• hypoglycemic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of hypoglycemia

First recorded in 1890–95; hypo- + glyc- + -emia

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hypoglycemia

Rates of fractures and hypoglycemia were similar between groups and affected less than 1% of participants in each group.

From Science Daily ● May 11, 2026

Ho and Petrou explained the signs of semaglutide overdose can resemble those of hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 20, 2023

The patients treated in Austria reported serious side effects like hypoglycemia and seizures, indications that the product most likely contained insulin instead of semaglutide, officials said.

From New York Times ● Oct. 24, 2023

People using the medication commonly experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain; in rare cases, taking the drug can lead to renal failure, pancreatitis, hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal bleeding, he added.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 17, 2023

She heaped sugar into the tea, having diagnosed herself as suffering from hypoglycemia.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan