What Do Elevated Glucose Levels Mean?

Diabetes is a potentially deadly disease so it is important to have your glucose (sugar) levels regularly tested. Test results that indicate elevated glucose levels are subject to different interpretations, depending on how high the level.

Fact

• When the human body fails to produce enough insulin, or is unable to effectively utilize glucose for the purposes of energy metabolism, the level of glucose in the blood becomes elevated.

Pre-Diabetes

• When a person's blood glucose levels are elevated, but not at a high enough level to be diabetic, they are considered pre-diabetic. Pre-diabetes is diagnosed at fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test results of 100 to 125 milligrams (mg) per deciliter (dl), or when oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results are 140 to 199 mg/dl, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Diabetes

• Diabetes is diagnosed at FPG test results of 126 mg/dl or greater, or with OGTT results of 200 mg/dl or greater.

Treatment

• Pre-diabetes is generally treated with lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and control of carbohydrate intake. In some cases, diabetes can be treated with the same lifestyle modifications. However, most diabetics take oral medications or insulin injections to control their blood glucose levels.

Considerations

• In rare cases, elevated blood glucose levels are attributable to an underlying disease, such as Cushing's Syndrome. A physician can run diagnostic tests to determine the source of the high glucose levels.