What Does It Mean If My Glucose Is High

How Glucose Gets Into Urine

It’s normal for there to be glucose in your blood which can also end up in your urine. Small organs called kidneys are responsible for filtering blood and removing waste. The cleaned blood is transferred back to the body. The leftover waste goes to the bladder, which collects urine, and is released when you pee.

While most of the sugar is reabsorbed by the kidneys and put back into the bloodstream, some sugar may remain. This sugar travels with the rest of the fluid to the bladder, leaving the body with your urine.

Glycosuria can occur if the kidneys don’t remove enough sugar before it leaves your body as urine. When the amount of sugar in urine is greater than 25 mg/dL, it is considered glycosuria.

Should I Worry If My Glucometer Reading Is High

In most cases, when your glucometer reads high, you should be alerted and somewhat concerned, but you should remain calm and collected.

If your glucometer is reading high and you are experiencing symptoms of hyperglycemia, then you should call your doctor right away. Based on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor will instruct you on what steps you need to take to gain control over your blood sugar levels.

If your blood sugar levels continue to rise, then you are at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis . This is a life-threatening condition and should be treated immediately.

So, if your glucometer is reading high, then your best option is to recheck your blood sugar to make sure it was not a mistake or error. If the reading is the same, then call your doctor immediately.

How Do I Treat Hyperglycemia

You can often lower your blood glucose level by exercising. However, if your blood glucose is above 240 mg/dl, check your urine for ketones. If you have ketones, do not exercise.

Exercising when ketones are present may make your blood glucose level go even higher. You’ll need to work with your doctor to find the safest way for you to lower your blood glucose level.

Cutting down on the amount of food you eat might also help. Work with your dietitian to make changes in your meal plan. If exercise and changes in your diet don’t work, your doctor may change the amount of your medication or insulin or possibly the timing of when you take it.

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How To Test For Ketones

You can use a urine test strip or blood ketone meter and ketone test strip to test for ketones at home. Testing either urine or blood is important, but when possible, a blood test is preferred because it gives you and your care team more precise information about your ketone levels. Because urine may have been in the bladder for some time, the results from these tests may show levels that are either higher or lower than the ketone levels that are actually circulating in your body. It is also very important to know that urine test trips degrade over time, so if you are using this method, you need to look at expiration dates carefully.

Your diabetes care team can give you specific directions about when you should check for ketones, but in general, you should check for them when your blood glucose is 240 mg/dL or higher. You should also check for ketones if you notice any of the DKA symptoms listed above or if you are sick it is possible to have ketones while your blood glucose levels are within range .

At-home urine test strips will change color to show the level of ketones in the urine. They typically report results as negative, trace, small, moderate or large. Blood ketone meters will provide a number that indicates the ketone levels. The following ranges are generally used:

Who Is Most At Risk For Developing Diabetes

The following categories of people are considered “high-risk” candidates for developing diabetes:

• Individuals who have overweight or obesity.
• Individuals who are 45 years of age or older.
• Individuals with first-degree relatives with diabetes .
• Individuals who are Black, Alaska Native, American Indian, Asia American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders.
• People who developed diabetes while they were pregnant or gave birth to large babies .
• Individuals with high blood pressure .
• Individuals with high-density lipoprotein below 25 mg/dl or triglyceride levels at or above 250 mg/dl.
• Individuals who have impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance.
• Individuals who are physically inactive engaging in exercise less than three times a week.
• Individuals who have polycystic ovary syndrome, also called PCOS.
• Individuals who have acanthosis nigricans, which are dark, thick and velvety skin around your neck or armpits.

In addition to testing the above individuals at high risk, the American Diabetes Association also recommends screening all individuals age 45 and older.

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High Hba1c May Increase Mortality

Higher HbA1c levels were associated with increased mortality from all causes among nondiabetics, in a meta-analysis of 11 studies with over 113k people .

A study of over 2.1k people who had a stroke reported that the risk for all-cause mortality was significantly increased when HbA1c level was > 5.5% compared to HbA1c < 5.5%, and it further dramatically increased 2 3 times in the highest HbA1c group 7.2% .

The American Diabetes Association estimated that the risk of diabetes-related mortality increased by 25% for each 1% increase in HbA1c. It has also been estimated that each percentage point increase in HbA1c corresponds to a 35% increase in the risk of heart disease and an 18% increase in the risk of heart attack .

Why does elevated HbA1c relate to mortality? Ample evidence shows that elevated glucose can increase oxidative stress. Oxidative stress then damages blood vessels, contributing to heart disease. Oxidative stress can also damage DNA, potentially resulting in gene mutation and cancer development .

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Blood Glucose Level Standards

Of course, the numbers of the so-called norm are always relative and vary depending on individual factors such as age, gender, lifestyle, diet, medical conditions , and so on. Thus, the normal glycemic level for a healthy adult person on an empty stomach varies from 3.3 to 5.5 mmol/l, and after meals5.6-6.6 mmol/l. If the second index is achieved during the empty stomach blood sugar measurement, it means that insulin sensitivity is violated.

If the index of measuring blood sugar on an empty stomach exceeds 6.7 mmol/l is an indicator of hyperglycemia . Hyperglycemia may be a sign of other disorders:

• endocrine diseases
• disorders of the liver and hypothalamus
• development of inflammatory processes.

If the symptom is chronic, then it is likely that the patient has diabetes.

The number down 3.3 mmol/l, on the contrary, is a sign of hypoglycemia low blood sugar, a medical condition that can lead to cramps, headaches, disorders of the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands.

Regular monitoring of sugar levels in the blood helps to detect and prevent further development of hyper- and hypoglycemia.

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Urgent Advice: Call Your Care Team Immediately Or Get Help From Nhs 111 If:

You think you have high blood sugar and:

• youre feeling sick, being sick or have stomach pain
• youre breathing more quickly than usual or your heart is beating faster than usual
• you feel drowsy or are struggling to stay awake
• your breath has a fruity smell
• you feel confused or have difficulty concentrating
• you have a high level of ketones in your blood or pee

These could be signs youre becoming seriously unwell.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Page last reviewed: 26 May 2022 Next review due: 26 May 2025

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Random Blood Sugar Test

This measures your blood sugar at the time youre tested. You can take this test at any time and dont need to fast first. A blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes.

*Results for gestational diabetes can differ. Ask your health care provider what your results mean if youre being tested for gestational diabetes.Source: American Diabetes Association

If your doctor thinks you have type 1 diabetes, your blood may also tested for autoantibodies that are often present in type 1 diabetes but not in type 2 diabetes. You may have your urine tested for ketones , which also indicate type 1 diabetes instead of type 2 diabetes.

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Diagnosis Of High Blood Sugar In Dogs

If your dog shows any of the symptoms of high blood sugar, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. As there can be many causes of high blood sugar, be sure to disclose issues the veterinarian is not already aware of, such as recent infections, changes in diet, or any abnormalities that may help with the potentially difficult diagnosis. The veterinarian will conduct a comprehensive round of tests in order to identify if your dog has high blood sugar, and what is causing it. These include a blood sample to be analyzed for a complete blood count, which checks for abnormalities in red and white blood cell count as well as platelet and hemoglobin and a chemical blood profile, which measures blood sugar, blood proteins, and electrolytes. If high blood sugar is the only abnormality, the veterinarian can determine it to be temporary rather than a sign of something more serious. A specific test measuring fructosamine can determine what the sugar levels have been doing over the previous few weeks. Further, the sample will be analyzed for elevated levels of certain enzymes that can indicate pancreatitis. Depending upon these findings, the veterinarian may or may not conduct x-rays and ultrasound to gain additional insight on the underlying cause.

Additionally, the veterinarian will conduct urinalysis, which can reveal elevated sugar levels, pus, bacteria, and ketone bodies, which in excess are evidence of diabetes mellitus.

Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

If your test results show you have prediabetes, ask your doctor or nurse if there is a lifestyle change program offered through the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program in your community. You can also search for an online or in-person program. Having prediabetes puts you at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes, but participating in the program can lower your risk by as much as 58% .

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How Can I Prevent Or Reverse Insulin Resistance And Prediabetes

Physical activity and losing weight if you need to may help your body respond better to insulin. Taking small steps, such as eating healthier foods and moving more to lose weight, can help reverse insulin resistance and prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in people with prediabetes.

The National Institutes of Health-funded research study, the Diabetes Prevention Program , showed that for people at high risk of developing diabetes, losing 5 to 7 percent of their starting weight helped reduce their chance of developing the disease.3 Thats 10 to 14 pounds for someone who weighs 200 pounds. People in the study lost weight by changing their diet and being more physically active.

The DPP also showed that taking metformin, a medicine used to treat diabetes, could delay diabetes. Metformin worked best for women with a history of gestational diabetes, younger adults, and people with obesity. Ask your doctor if metformin might be right for you.

Making a plan, tracking your progress, and getting support from your health care professional, family, and friends can help you make lifestyle changes that may prevent or reverse insulin resistance and prediabetes. You may be able to take part in a lifestyle change program as part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program.

What Is Low Blood Glucose

Low blood glucose, also called low blood sugar or hypoglycemia, occurs when the level of glucose in your blood drops below what is healthy for you. For many people with diabetes, this means a blood glucose reading lower than 70 milligrams per deciliter .1 Your number might be different, so check with your doctor or health care team to find out what blood glucose level is low for you.

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What Are The Risks Of Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia can be a sign that your body isnt getting enough insulin. It is normal for patients with T1D to get hyperglycemia, and most of the time this is simply treated with insulin. If the body does not have insulin for approximately 8 hours, you could develop a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA.

In DKA, your body breaks down fat for energy because it doesnt have enough insulin to use the sugar in your blood. This produces chemicals called ketones, which make your blood more acidic.

DKA is dangerous. Too much acid in your blood can make you pass out or even cause death.

Can Hyperglycemia Be Treated

Your doctor may recommend a low-impact exercise program as your first line of defense. If youre already following a fitness plan, they may recommend that you increase your overall level of activity.

Your doctor may also suggest that you reduce glucose-rich food intake. Its important to maintain a balanced diet and stick to healthy food portions. If you arent sure where to begin, your doctor can refer you to a dietician or nutritionist who can help you establish a diet plan.

If these changes dont help lower your high blood sugar, your doctor may prescribe medication. If you have diabetes, your doctor may prescribe oral medications or change the amount or type of insulin youve already been prescribed.

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Make Physical Activity Part Of Your Daily Routine

Set a goal to be more physically active. Try to work up to 30 minutes or more of physical activity on most days of the week.

Brisk walking and swimming are good ways to move more. If you are not active now, ask your health care team about the types and amounts of physical activity that are right for you. Learn more about being physically active with diabetes.

Following your meal plan and being more active can help you stay at or get to a healthy weight. If you are overweight or obese, work with your health care team to create a weight-loss plan that is right for you.

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Example : Pet Or Positron Emission Tomography

PET or positron emission tomography is a great example. This type tomography is actually based on the ability of cancer cells to use more energy and so absorb glucose from your blood stream at faster rates than healthy cells do.

Before the scan the patient gets an injection of a small amount of a radioactive sugar . This substance is often referred to as tracer. Then the scanner shows the areas with the highest concentration of the radioactive tracer is in your body. This type of tomography does not provide such a high-definitoin picture as a normal CT does but it is able to spot even smallest tumors that might remain unnoticed on an ordinary CT.

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How To Avoid And Deal With Hyperglycemia

Minimising long time exposure to high blood sugar levels is one of the key objectives of diabetes control

Testing blood sugar levels will help in managing hyperglycemia. People who take insulin may be able to take additional insulin. However, only take additional insulin if your doctor is happy for you to do so, as miscalculations could lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels.

Diabetes UK advise people with type 1 diabetes to test for ketones if blood glucose levels rise above 15 mmol/l or the signs of ketoacidosis appear. Contact your health team if high levels of ketones are present.

If blood glucose levels remain high for long periods of time, contact your health team for advice.

What Does A High Glucose Level Mean

High blood sugar means that your are on your way to diabetes or may already have it. However, the condition can be reversed. The earlier you take action the greater the chance to get back to healthy blood sugar levels.

What does high glucose level mean? The good news is that is does not necessarily mean that the person with a high glucose reading has diabetes and will have to live with this all the life long, but paying attention to this issue is absolutely necessary. You may have to lower high glucose foods consumption. The best option is switch to low glycemic diet so as to normalize you high glucose levels and prevent insulin resistance and diabetes, which may be not so far ahead.

First of all, blood glucose levels change over the day, the reading depends on when your do the test and other factors, such as as having stress, illness, hormone level changes, alcohol and exercise. When did you have your blood tests and how did you have it measured?

There are different approaches to measuring blood glucose levels and there is a lot of debate which of them are more accurate and informative. Here, we’ll dwell on A1C test, the most widely used test. A1C measures your average blood glucose levels over the last three month, regardless of what and when you’ve been eating. You’ll have to take finger pricks for at least 90 days. A1C test shows the percentage of glucose in your blood.

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