What Are the Risks Associated With High Blood Glucose Levels?

People with high glucose levels are most likely diabetic. Doctors will test your blood glucose levels two ways to find out if you are diabetic. The most common tests are a fasting test and an A1c test.
The fasting test will show blood glucose levels when your body is without food for up to 14 hours. The A1c will show a three-month average of glucose levels. People with levels above 120 milligrams per deciliter for fasting and 7 percent or more for the A1c are in danger of complications with their bodies' organs.
High glucose levels can lead to neuropathy, blindness, kidney disease, heart disease, stroke and loss of limbs.

Causes

• High glucose blood levels occur when blood sugar does not move into the body's cells. Insulin, produced by the pancreas, moves the blood sugar into cells for needed energy. If the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body becomes insulin intolerant, blood sugar or glucose remains in the blood stream, where it travels to the different organ systems.

Levels

• Normal blood sugar levels are 70 to 100 milligrams per deciliter or 4 percent to 6 percent blood sugar. High blood glucose levels--above 120 milligrams before a meal or above 180 milligrams one to two hours after a meal--are unsafe. A blood glucose level above 7 percent after an A1c test is not recommended.
  To control blood glucose levels, Type 1 diabetics take insulin and Type 2 diabetics may take oral medication and insulin. Both Type 1 diabetics and Type 2 diabetics must watch the amount of carbohydrates they eat. Exercise is important to help keep blood sugar levels under control, as well.

Complications

• High blood glucose levels are associated with a number of life-threatening complications. People with diabetes have a heart disease death rate two to four times higher than people who are not diabetic, according to the American Diabetes Association. Their risk of stroke is 2.8 times higher, as well.
  High blood pressure is another complication. According to the American Diabetes Association, 73 percent of diabetics have high blood pressure. Along with circulatory problems, people with high blood glucose levels are at a greater risk of developing eye conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and possible blindness.

Significance

• Kidney disease is a major concern for those with high blood glucose levels. The nervous system is also affected, resulting in possible nervous system damage. People may lose sensation in their feet and hands; some have digestive problems; and some have nerve damage that results in amputations of lower limbs.
  Gum disease is another common risk of high blood glucose levels. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels often lead to complications from influenza and pneumonia.

Prevention/Solution

• People who are losing weight even though they are eating enough food should see their doctor. Weight loss is common in Type 1 diabetes. People who are overweight, inactive, over the age of 40 and have a family history of Type 2 diabetes should see their doctor. People who are thirsty all the time, urinate more than usual, are hungry often, sleepy most of the time and notice that wounds or infections do not heal quickly should also see their doctor. Testing for high blood glucose levels is quick and necessary, so a healthy program can start immediately.