Hyperglycemia Diagnosis

Hyperglycemia occurs when your blood sugar level is too high. The condition is a common problem affecting people who have diabetes, although people with other diseases and conditions can also be affected. Many of the complications that occur in people with diabetes happen as a result of hyperglycemia, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Identification

• Blood sugar, or glucose, provides energy to the body. After you eat, your body converts carbohydrates, fats and proteins in food to glucose. Glucose travels to the body's cells through the bloodstream, providing energy as needed. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, works with glucose to help the body use and store blood sugar. If your body does not make enough insulin, glucose won't be able to enter the cells and will build up in your blood, causing high blood sugar.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of hyperglycemia may include increased thirst and urination, blurred vision, weight loss, fatigue and yeast or fungal infections. If hyperglycemia is not treated, you may begin to notice that your toes and fingers feel numb. Very high blood sugar levels can cause diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome or diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome causes the blood to become too thick, while diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when the body begins breaking down fat to use for energy. When this occurs, toxic acids called ketones are produced. Both of these conditions are life-threatening.

Causes

• In addition to diabetes, hyperglycemia can occur if you have liver or kidney disease, an infection of the pancreas or are pregnant and have developed gestational diabetes. Some people who receive intravenous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) instead of eating or drinking may develop hyperglycemia due to the high concentration of glucose in the TPN solution. Taking corticosteroids can cause hyperglycemia, although the condition usually disappears when you stop taking the medication. People who have the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and are taking protease inhibitors may be more likely to develop hyperglycemia and diabetes.

Diagnosis

• If you have diabetes and test your blood sugar level at home every day, you will notice when your blood sugar level exceeds the target range set by your doctor. Your doctor may need to make changes to your medication if your blood sugar level is consistently too high. If you don't have diabetes and are experiencing the symptoms of hyperglycemia, your doctor may order a fasting blood glucose test. A sample of your blood will be drawn after you have not eaten for eight hours and your blood glucose level will be tested.

Treatment

• Hyperglycemia caused by insufficient insulin production can be treated by taking oral or injectable insulin. Other oral anti-diabetic drugs, such as actos, metformin or avandia, may be used to permit more efficient processing of insulin. If you have hyperglycemia because you are taking a medication or have an infection, stopping the medication or treating the infection may return your blood sugar level to normal.