When a blood glucose meter displays “Lo,” it indicates that the blood glucose level is below the meter’s measurable range. This signifies a very low blood sugar reading, typically below 20-40 mg/dL depending on the specific meter’s capabilities. For example, if a meter has a lower limit of 20 mg/dL and the actual glucose level is 15 mg/dL, the meter will likely display “Lo” instead of the precise value.
Recognizing this indicator is crucial, especially for individuals managing diabetes, as severely low blood sugar can lead to serious health consequences, including seizures, loss of consciousness, and, in extreme cases, coma. Understanding the meter’s limitations and the implications of such a reading allows for prompt intervention, such as consuming fast-acting carbohydrates, to raise the blood glucose level to a safer range. The historical evolution of blood glucose monitoring devices has consistently aimed to improve accuracy and widen the measurable range, but limitations remain, particularly at very low or very high glucose levels.
