High blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) (2024)

High blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) is where the level of sugar in your blood is too high. It mainly affects people with diabetes and can be serious if not treated.

People with diabetes can also have blood sugar that's too low. This is called low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).

High blood sugar levels

If you have diabetes, you can find out if your blood sugar level is high by having a blood sugar (blood glucose) test.

You may have regular tests by your care team or GP surgery, or you may have tests you can do at home.

Types of diabetes test and high blood sugar levels.
Type of test High level
Test done by a health professional to check your blood sugar level over the last 2 or 3 months (HbA1c test) 48 mmol/mol or over (6.5% if you're given a percentage)
Test done by a health professional after not eating for a few hours (fasting glucose test) Over 7 mmol/L
Home test done after waking up or before eating Over 7 mmol/L
Home test done at any other time Over 11 mmol/L

Important

These blood sugar levels are a guide. Your levels may be different depending on your age and the type of diabetes you have. Check with your doctor or care team.

Symptoms of high blood sugar

Symptoms of high blood sugar usually come on gradually and may only start when your blood sugar level gets very high.

Common symptoms include:

  • feeling very thirsty
  • peeing a lot
  • feeling weak or tired
  • blurred vision
  • losing weight

Causes of high blood sugar

Common causes of high blood sugar in people with diabetes include:

  • being unwell
  • feeling stressed
  • eating too much sugary or starchy food
  • being less active than usual
  • missing doses of diabetes medicine

You can also get high blood sugar if your diabetes medicine is not working well, you're taking certain medicines (such as steroids) or you recently had an operation.

How to lower your blood sugar

If you have diabetes, it's important to try to stop your blood sugar level getting too high.

Do

  • take any diabetes medicine you've been prescribed, as advised by your doctor or care team

  • avoid eating too much sugary or starchy food

  • try to find ways to manage stress

  • exercise regularly

  • lose weight if you're overweight

  • follow advice from your doctor or care team about what to do while you're ill (sometimes called "sick day rules")

Don’t

  • do not skip or change doses of your diabetes medicine unless advised by your doctor or care team

Non-urgent advice: Speak to your care team or GP surgery if:

  • you've tried to lower your blood sugar but your blood sugar level is still high or you still have symptoms
  • you have symptoms of high blood sugar and you have not been diagnosed with diabetes

Problems caused by high blood sugar

It's not usually a serious problem if your blood sugar is sometimes slightly high for a short time.

But high blood sugar can cause serious problems if it stays high for a long time or gets to a very high level.

It can lead to:

If you have high blood sugar, your doctor or care team may ask you to test your blood or pee to check for ketones. A high level of ketones is a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Urgent advice: Call your care team immediately or get help from NHS 111 if:

You think you have high blood sugar and:

  • you're feeling sick, being sick or have stomach pain
  • you're 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 (like pear drop sweets)
  • you feel confused or have difficulty concentrating
  • you have a high level of ketones in your blood or pee

These could be signs you're 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

High blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) (2024)

FAQs

Does hyperglycemia mean your blood sugar is considered high? ›

High blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia, affects people who have diabetes. Several factors can play a role in hyperglycemia in people with diabetes. They include food and physical activity, illness, and medications not related to diabetes.

What is the response when blood glucose levels are too high? ›

If the blood glucose concentration is too high, the pancreas produces the hormone insulin that causes glucose to move from the blood into the cells. In liver and muscle cells excess glucose is converted to glycogen. for storage, and will be used at a later date.

What is a dangerously high blood sugar level? ›

In severe cases, very high blood sugar levels (well above 300 mg/dL) can result in coma. If you experience mental confusion, nausea, or dizziness, proceed to the emergency room. Ways to treat high blood sugar include: Take your medications as directed.

How do I bring my blood sugar down immediately? ›

The quickest way to lower your blood sugar is to take fast-acting insulin. Exercising is another fast, effective way. However, in severe cases, you should go to the hospital.

Should I go to the hospital if my blood sugar is over 300? ›

What is high blood sugar? In general, a blood sugar reading of more than 180 mg/dL or any reading above your target range is too high. A blood sugar reading of 300 mg/dL or more can be dangerous. If you have 2 readings in a row of 300 or more, call your doctor.

Can drinking water lower blood sugar? ›

Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.

What does hyperglycemia feel like? ›

Hyperglycemia occurs when the level of blood glucose gets too high. Hyperglycemia can affect people of any age and can cause a range of symptoms, including excessive thirst, hunger, fatigue, and/or an urge to urinate larger amounts than usual.

At what point is high blood sugar an emergency? ›

A high blood sugar level of more than 240 with or without symptoms requires calling the doctor immediately.

What is a worrisome blood sugar level? ›

A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is normal. A fasting blood sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes. If it's 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher on two separate tests, you have diabetes.

Is 200 too high for blood sugar? ›

Less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L ) after two hours is considered healthy. 140 to 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L ) is diagnosed as prediabetes. 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L ) or higher after two hours suggests diabetes.

At what point is blood sugar considered high? ›

A blood sugar level less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) is normal. A reading of more than 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) after two hours means you have diabetes. A reading between 140 and 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L) means you have prediabetes.

Is hyperglycemia low blood sugar or high blood sugar? ›

Hyperglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels are too high. People develop hyperglycemia if their diabetes isn't treated properly. Hypoglycemia sets in when blood sugar levels are too low. This is usually a side effect of treatment with blood-sugar-lowering medication.

What is the normal range for hyperglycemia blood sugar? ›

Between around 60 and 140 milligrams of sugar per deciliter of blood (mg/dl) is considered to be normal in people who don't have diabetes. This is equivalent to a blood sugar concentration of between 3.3 and 7.8 mmol/l. “Millimoles per liter” (mmol/l) is the unit that blood sugar is measured in.

Can you have hyperglycemia without diabetes? ›

Hyperglycemia is a common occurrence in critically ill patients, even in those without any history of diabetes mellitus. During stress, injury or trauma, glucose metabolism will be altered because of changes in endocrine secretions and peripheral insulin resistance, resulting in hyperglycemia (1-3).

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