Skip to content

Below 70? The 15-15 rule

All forDiabetes

Free · Private · About 2 minutes

Diabetes symptoms questionnaire

High blood sugar has a recognisable set of warning signs. Go through the list below and we’ll tell you how soon to talk to a doctor. Answer for the past few weeks.

Your answers stay on your device. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere. Symptoms can’t confirm or rule out diabetes; a blood test can.

Over the past few weeks, have you noticed…0/11
  1. Question 1: Feeling very thirsty, even after drinking
  2. Question 2: Urinating (peeing) a lot, including getting up at night
  3. Question 3: Losing weight without trying
  4. Question 4: Feeling very hungry, even soon after eating
  5. Question 5: Feeling very tired or weak
  6. Question 6: Blurry vision
  7. Question 7: Cuts or sores that are slow to heal
  8. Question 8: Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet
  9. Question 9: Infections that keep coming back (skin, gums, bladder or yeast infections)
  10. Question 10: Very dry or itchy skin
  11. Question 11: Right now, do you have any of these?
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Stomach pain
    • Fruity-smelling breath
    • Deep or fast breathing
    • Confusion or extreme sleepiness

About this questionnaire

The list follows the warning signs published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Diabetes Association and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Type 1 diabetes symptoms often appear over a few weeks and can be severe; type 2 symptoms develop slowly and many people have none.

If someone has vomiting, stomach pain, fruity-smelling breath, fast breathing or confusion together with high blood sugar signs, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Low blood sugar

Below 70? Use the 15-15 rule.

Hypoglycemia can happen to anyone who takes insulin or certain diabetes tablets. Treat it straight away. If someone is confused, unconscious or can’t swallow, don’t give food or drink: use glucagon if it is available and call 911 or your local emergency number.

Call 911

Common signs

  • Shaking or trembling
  • Sweating, clammy skin
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Dizziness
  • Hunger
  • Confusion or irritability
  1. STEP 115 gTake fast-acting sugar4 oz (½ cup) of juice or regular soda, 4 glucose tablets, or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey.
  2. STEP 215 minWait, then recheckStill below 70 mg/dL? Take another 15 g and check again.
  3. STEP 3SnackOnce back in rangeEat a meal or snack if your next one is more than an hour away.

Based on American Diabetes Association guidance. Your care team may give you a different plan, for example for children or after severe lows. Outside the US, call your local emergency number.