T1D Hypo Panic and the Ping Thing
If you’re parenting a toddler, child or teen with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), you’ve likely experienced the dreaded hypo roller coaster- that sudden drop, the “LOW” alarm (cue parental panic), the fast-acting carbs and then…the ping.
That ping- when levels bounce from 2.9 to 12.7 faster than you can say “Glucotabs”- is what many parents call the rebound or “pinging high” after a low.
It’s often followed by frustration, guilt and wondering: Did I over treat? Was that banana really necessary after the juice box?
What is Hypoglycemia Anxiety?
Hypo anxiety is the very real fear of your child’s blood glucose going too low. It’s emotional, physical and totally normal- especially in the early months, after a scary hypo episode or when you see double arrows heading down on a CGM when your child is in range.
It shows up as:
Giving a bit too much sugar “just to be safe”
Checking the CGM every 3 minutes
Waking your child when they’re sleeping “just in case”
Feeling shaky and breathless yourself even when they’re stable
You’re not overreacting. You’re parenting under pressure, but that fear can lead to the next issue…
The Hypo -> Ping Effect
Here’s what often happens:
Your child goes low. (Let’s say 3.2 mmol/L)
You act fast- juice, dextrose, toast, a biscuit…maybe a banana just to be sure.
They go back up
Then they keep going up. Into the teens. Hello, ping.
Why? Because the body’s natural response plus fast-acting carbs plus slow-acting carbs plus panic extras can lead to an over-correction.
How Do You Prevent the Ping?
Let’s turn the panic into a plan.
1. Know Your Numbers
Stick to the 15:15 rule (if advised by your care team):
15g of fast-acting carbs
Wait 15 minutes
Re-check and repeat if still low
Examples of 15g of fast carbs:
150ml fruit juice
4 Glucose tabs
5 Jelly babies
1 tube of glucose gel or gluco juice
Pro Tip: Keep your child’s go-to hypo treatment in the fridge, in their bag and in their bedroom. Write down the above amounts, if helpful, so you don’t second guess, and keep on the fridge.
2. Trust Your Gut- You Know Your Child
The rules are there to guide you- but you live with this child every day. You know how they respond to lows, how quickly they drop and what their symptoms look like. If your gut says they need more glucose- trust that. There’s no one-size-fits-all.
For example:
If they’ve just had a lot of insulin
If they’ve just done a sport, such as swimming, where levels can drop considerably after
If you see them plummeting on the CGM with a big arrow down
Helpful mindset:
“Rules are helpful, but so is my lived experience. I know what my child’s body tends to do and I can respond with confidence.”
3. Avoid the “Fear Feed”
This is when you start throwing food at the low:
Juice! Crackers! A banana! Wait, a cookie too? Maybe toast? What if they drop again?
Totally understandable, but it usually leads to overshooting.
Instead try:
Treat the low, then distract
Set a timer or sing a song to mark 15 minutes
Remind yourself: “The carbs are working, even if I can’t see it yet.”
4. Watch for Stacking Carbs
The body may take longer to recover from some hypos- especially if insulin is still working in the background. It’s easy to panic and layer more and more carbs before the last ones have kicked in.
What helps:
Use your CGM trend arrows (if you have one)- are they steady? Rising?
Check blood glucose with a finger prick. When levels are pinging, sometimes CGM’s can be behind blood glucose by up to 15 minutes.
Avoid giving slow-acting food unless the child is likely to drop again soon (like if they’re going to sleep or have a lot of insulin on board).
5. Don’t Treat Lows and Feelings the Same Way
Sometimes, we’re not just treating their blood glucose- we’re treating our fear. And fear craves action, but action isn’t always helpful.
What helps:
Do something with your hands (fold laundry, text a friend, hold your child)
Tell yourself: “This is scary, but we’ve handled it before- and we’ll handle it again.”
Make a “Calm After the Low” routine- cuddles, a favourite show or colouring together while you wait for the numbers to rise.
6. Create a Hypo Game Plan
The more you rehearse, the calmer you’ll feel in the moment.
Try this:
Create a “Low Pack”- juice box, Glucotabs, instructions
Put one in your bag, one in their school bag, one by the bed
Teach siblings and caregivers what to do
Practice “hypo drills” for young children: “What to do if you feel shaky or sleepy?”
7. Forgive the Ping When It Happens
You will over-treat sometimes. We all do. Especially when we’re scared or tired. A high after a low is not a failure- it’s part of figuring it out.
Repeat after us: “I’d rather over-correct than under-react. We’ll adjust next time.”
Final Thought: Calm > Perfect
There’s no such thing as a perfect hypo response- only a growing toolbox of knowledge, calm and experience. Every hypo teaches you a little more. Every ping is part of the learning.
You’re not just managing blood sugar. You’re building confidence, safety and trust- in yourself and in your child.
You’ve got this. Ping and all.
