SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/diab-glucose-preferred

For a conscious person with a low, what does the ADA say is the preferred treatment?

Glucose, like glucose tablets or gel.

Start playing free

  1. Glucose ✔
  2. A cheeseburger
  3. A protein shake

Why: ADA's 2026 Standards say glucose is the preferred treatment for a conscious person under 70 mg/dL. If the low persists 15 minutes later, repeat the treatment.

Huh, didn't know that: Glucose is the sugar your body uses directly, so it works fast.

The dad joke
Glucose tablets: the only candy your doctor actually wants you to carry.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: Glucose. ADA's 2026 Standards say glucose is the preferred treatment for a conscious person under 70 mg/dL. If the low persists 15 minutes later, repeat the treatment.

  1. ADA Standards of Care in Diabetes 2026, Section 6: Glycemic Goals, Hypoglycemia, and Hyperglycemic Crises pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12690178
    Glucose is the preferred treatment for the conscious individual with glucose <70 mg/dL (<3.9 mmol/L)
    Checked 2026-10-09.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Health BasicsWhat does the '15-15 rule' for treating a low tell you to do?Health BasicsFor many adults on a CGM, how much time below 70 mg/dL does the ADA accept as a goal?Health BasicsOn a CGM, what is ADA's goal for time spent below 54 mg/dL?

That's stuff everyone should know.