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What Are High Glucose Levels?

Glucose is a type of simple sugar carbohydrate. It functions as your body's leading source of energy. The carbohydrates you eat are broken down into simple sugars during digestion. Following digestion, this sugar is absorbed into your bloodstream.

  1. Features

    • A high glucose level, also called hyperglycemia, happens when too much glucose (sugar) is in your blood. One of the tests used to diagnose high glucose levels is called the Fasting Plasma Glucose test where glucose levels are measured after an 8-hour fast.

    High Levels

    • Glucose levels are considered high if the FPG result is more than 125 mg/dL (which represents the number of glucose milligrams per every deciliter of blood). A result of more than 125 mg/dL could indicate diabetes.

    Other Levels

    • Pre-diabetic levels are indicated when the FPG result is between 100 and 125 mg/dL; healthy levels fall under 100. Glucose levels are considered dangerously high if a test brings back a reading of 200 mg/dL or higher no matter when your last meal was.

    Effects

    • Left unchecked chronic hyperglycemia can cause damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and heart.

    Symptoms

    • Some of the symptoms of hyperglycemia include rapid weight loss, fatigue, extreme thirst, vomiting, hunger, frequent urination, feeling sick, dry skin, decreased healing, and blurred vision.

    Warning

    • Consult with your physician immediately if you think you show signs of chronic hyperglycemia.

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