hypo

Everyday

1. (informal, health) A hypo is a short word for hypoglycaemia: when the sugar in a person's blood, especially someone with diabetes, falls too low, making them shaky, sweaty, pale or confused. tree →
2. (informal) Hypo can be short for a hypodermic needle (a syringe). tree →
3. As a prefix, «hypo-» means «under» or «below», as in «hypothermia» (body too cold). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday safety, if a friend with diabetes says «I'm having a hypo», they need fast sugar such as juice or sweets straight away, and an adult should be told. In science, the prefix «hypo-» appears in words like hypothermia and hypothesis. Common phrases: «have a hypo», «hypo treatment», «hypo kit», «going hypo».

Examples

• Lily felt shaky and said she was having a hypo. tree →
• Her hypo kit has jelly sweets and juice. tree →
• When someone has a hypo, give them sugar quickly and tell a teacher. tree →
• He keeps glucose tablets in his bag in case of a hypo. tree →
• Hypothermia means the body is too cold — «hypo» means under. tree →
• The nurse explained what a hypo feels like. tree →

Note

Plural: hypos. Informal clipped word (UK, Australia, New Zealand especially). The full word is spelled «hypoglycaemia» (UK) or «hypoglycemia» (USA). The opposite, high blood sugar, is «hyperglycaemia» — «hyper-» means over. Trap: hypo = low, hyper = high.