What it means
The beginning of words for something low or beneath. hypotensionhy-poh-TEN-shunBlood pressure lower than normal, generally below 90/60 mm Hg in an adult.hypo- belowtension pressureFull entry is low blood pressure, hypoglycemiahy-poh-gly-SEE-mee-uhA blood glucose level below normal, under 70 mg/dL.hypo- belowglyc/o sugar, glucose-emia in the bloodFull entry low blood glucose, hypokalemiahy-poh-kuh-LEE-mee-uhA blood potassium level below normal, under 3.5 mEq/L.hypo- belowkal potassium (from its Latin name, kalium)-emia in the bloodFull entry low potassium, hypoxiahy-POK-see-uhA lower than normal level of oxygen in the body's tissues.hypo- belowox/o oxygen-ia conditionFull entry low oxygen in the tissues, hypothermiahy-poh-THER-mee-uhA body temperature that has fallen below the normal range.hypo- belowtherm/o heat-ia conditionFull entry low body temperature and hypothyroidismhy-poh-THY-roy-diz-umA condition in which the thyroid gland makes too little thyroid hormone.hypo- below, underthyr/o thyroid gland-ism conditionFull entry an underactive thyroid. A hypodermic needle goes under the skin.
Remember it
Hypo is low: think of a hippo lying low in the water.
Easy to confuse with
hyper-
A word beginning that means above, over or more than normal.
Related terms
hypokalemia
A blood potassium level below normal, under 3.5 mEq/L.
hypoglycemia
A blood glucose level below normal, under 70 mg/dL.
hypotension
Blood pressure lower than normal, generally below 90/60 mm Hg in an adult.
hyper-
A word beginning that means above, over or more than normal.