I've been an EMT for 15 years, though at age 80 I've all but stop running rescue.
When blood glucose levels drop below 70, it's time to worry and do something about it. At around 45, you'll get drowsy and below 40 you likely will pass out. If there is no one around to get some form of glucose in you, you are dead.
High blood glucose is not dangerous except over the very long term -- months to years. Low blood glucose, if nor quickly reversed, can kill you in a few minutes.
If you injected or swallowed that much insulin, you need to be VERY careful.
In addition to orange juice, you should have a stock of glucagon -- it's the same thing we carry on the ambulance, a sugary goop, some manufacturers flavor it, comes in 15 mg packets. My insulin-dependent wife carries it in her purses, we carry a dozen or so packs in the car, and have a couple of dozen at home. Search Amazon for 15 mg packets of glucose.
For right now, drink 8oz of OJ, wait a few minutes, take a glucose tab with soda. Wait a few more minutes and do a finger stick. If you are at or above 100, even up to 150-200, it's not a problem, in fact that's a good thing because you now have a glucose level that will keep you safe until you can get back on schedule.
I have done this four times: If the patient is unconscious from low blood glucose, we cannot give you anything orally because you do not have a gag reflex and can strangle on it. So -- we roll you over, pull down your trousers and underwear, spread out your butt cheeks, and using a wooden tongue depressor, we wipe glucagon into you anus where the blood vessels in the bowel will absorb the sugar. It works, takes a few minutes and we usually wipe 2 or 3 15 mg tubes of glucagon.
My wife sees the endocrinologist every 90 days. I have the software that pulls the BG readings from here meter. She stays around 130 - 170, occasionally going above 200. Doc says he is not at all worried about the seemingly high levels because it's not going to hurt her -- just don't let it get below 70 and if it does, start OJ or glucagon until you are back over 100.
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