ACE Personal Trainer Practice Exam

What can cause hypoglycemia?

1. Excessive glucose intake

2. Too much insulin

3. Low activity levels

4. Lack of hydration

The correct answer is: Too much insulin

Hypoglycemia, which is a condition characterized by abnormally low blood glucose levels, can be primarily caused by excessive amounts of insulin in the bloodstream. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels. When there is an excess of insulin relative to the amount of glucose in the blood, it can lead to a rapid decline in blood sugar levels, resulting in symptoms such as dizziness, shaking, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness. In this context, the other options do not typically lead to hypoglycemia. Excessive glucose intake would generally raise blood sugar levels rather than lower them. Low activity levels might contribute to imbalances in blood sugar management but would not directly cause hypoglycemia. Lastly, lack of hydration could potentially affect overall health and metabolic processes but is not a direct cause of low blood sugar levels. Thus, the most relevant and direct cause of hypoglycemia among the choices provided is the administration or presence of too much insulin.