What can lead to hypoglycemia in Type I diabetes?

In Type I diabetes, hypoglycemia is primarily caused by an imbalance between insulin levels and the amount of glucose available in the bloodstream. When a person with Type I diabetes administers too much insulin, it can lead to a significant drop in blood glucose levels. This occurs because insulin serves to facilitate the uptake of glucose by cells, allowing them to utilize it for energy. If there is an excess of insulin in relation to the amount of glucose present (e.g., if the person hasn’t consumed enough carbohydrates to match the insulin dose), blood glucose levels can fall to dangerously low levels, resulting in hypoglycemia.

In contrast, excessive carbohydrate intake tends to increase blood glucose levels, while infrequent exercise can lead to less glucose utilization by muscle tissues, which does not directly cause hypoglycemia. Overeating proteins, similarly, is not primarily linked to the immediate regulation of blood glucose since proteins are metabolized differently and do not cause rapid increases in blood sugar. Thus, too much insulin is the most direct and significant factor contributing to hypoglycemia in individuals with Type I diabetes.