When Is A High Reading Too High?
Hyperglycemia or a high sugar level in the blood occurs due to a lack of insulin or resistance to insulin. A high blood sugar level means the person has diabetes. A diabetic patient should be treated immediately, especially if the blood sugar is extremely high. Untreated hyperglycemia leads to complications of other organs of the body or serious stages of diabetes.
Reading your blood sugar range
A person is considered prediabetic if a fasting blood sugar level is over 100. A diagnosis of diabetes is made when the fasting blood sugar level is 125 or more in 2 separate tests. When blood sugar is too high, one must seek immediate medical help regardless of the symptoms. This can put a person at risk of a life-threatening condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
What is DKA?
DKA is a complication of diabetes with a blood sugar level of more than 240 that requires a doctor’s attention. This occurs when the body uses fat as an energy source instead of insulin due to a lack of insulin. When the fat starts to break down, ketones are released into the bloodstream causing blood to become acidic. In rare cases, one may have DKA with a level less than 240 known as euglycemic diabetes-related ketoacidosis.
Knowing when to go to the ER
A person with high blood sugar levels and DKA symptoms must visit the emergency room (ER) without delay. Symptoms such as vomiting, excessive thirst, dehydration, frequent urination, abdominal pain, and ketones in urine require the doctor’s immediate attention. A fruity smell of breath, shortness of breath, dry mouth, and confusion are also signs to watch out for.
Hyperglycemia affects your other organs
Uncontrolled or untreated high blood sugar levels can lead to detrimental effects on other organs. Skin, eyes, kidneys, heart, and nerves are areas that can be severely impacted by hyperglycemia if not treated right. Along with blood glucose level, getting these specific areas checked such as having an eye check-up is vital.
Ways to bring your blood glucose down
In a high blood sugar level situation, one will try to act quickly to bring the level down. Taking the prescribed diabetic medications such as insulin can lower blood sugar. However, speak to the doctor about the appropriate dose before administration. Exercise can bring blood glucose levels down for 24 hours or more.
Do not delay
A high blood sugar level of more than 240 with or without symptoms requires calling the doctor immediately. Healthcare providers will administer ER treatment to reduce the level and symptoms. After leaving the ER, follow the doctor’s instructions to avoid another incident of DKA.
FAQs
Action to take. If a ketone test shows that ketones are present and a blood glucose test shows that a person's blood sugar levels are 240 m/dl or above, the ADA advise them to see a doctor. Anyone with these symptoms should seek medical help as soon as possible, as DKA can become a medical emergency.
What is an uncontrolled diabetic blood sugar level? ›
Uncontrolled diabetes is defined as having sustained blood glucose (sugar) levels are 180 milliliters per deciliter (ml/dL) or higher. When diabetes is uncontrolled, persistently high blood sugar levels can damage nerves, blood vessels, and vital organs.
What blood sugar level requires hospitalization? ›
It's important to seek medical care if your blood sugar is over 400 mg/DL, or if your blood sugar is over 240 mg/dL along with symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, nausea, and diarrhea. Once you're in the hospital, treatments such as insulin, rehydration, and electrolytes can help bring down your blood sugar.
What is a diabetic crisis blood sugar level? ›
Seek emergency care if: Your blood sugar level is higher than 300 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 16.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) for more than one test. You have ketones in your urine and can't reach your health care provider for advice. You have many symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis.
What blood sugar is high enough for ER? ›
Anything above 180 mg/dL needs prompt medical care. Any reading above 250 mg/dL is a critical medical emergency. A medical emergency means your blood sugar levels may jeopardize your health and life, and you need immediate medical intervention to lower those safely. Going to the emergency room is highly advised.
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.
What is a critical number for diabetes? ›
For diagnosing purposes, an A1C level of: Less than 5.7% means you don't have diabetes. 5.7% to 6.4% signals prediabetes. 6.5% or higher usually indicates Type 2 diabetes (or Type 1 diabetes).
What A1C is uncontrolled? ›
The values of HbA1c indicate the recent status of glycemic control. An HbA1c level of 6.5% or higher on two separate occasions indicates a subject having DM. An HBA1c level of >7% to >8% has been used as an indicator of uncontrolled hyperglycemia in patients with DM.
How to reduce blood sugar level immediately? ›
The fastest way to lower blood sugar is to take fast-acting insulin medication. Exercise can also help to bring down blood sugar levels quickly. Diet and lifestyle changes can help manage overall blood sugar levels, but for immediate action, prescription medication or medical assistance may be necessary.
What are 5 signs of a diabetic emergency? ›
What are the signs and symptoms of a diabetic emergency?
- hunger.
- clammy skin.
- profuse sweating.
- drowsiness or confusion.
- weakness or feeling faint.
- sudden loss of responsiveness.
Seek immediate help from your care provider or call 911 if:
- You have ongoing diarrhea or vomiting, and you can't keep any food or fluids down.
- Your blood glucose levels stay above 240 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) (13.3 millimoles per liter (mmol/L)) and you have symptoms of ketones in your urine.
A moderate or high result warrants a call to your doctor so they can tell you what to do. You may need to go to the emergency room. This dangerous condition involves extremely high blood sugar levels -- 600 mg/dL or higher. It requires immediate emergency treatment.
What is considered the worst diabetic emergency? ›
A diabetic coma is a life-threatening disorder that causes unconsciousness. If you have diabetes, dangerously high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can lead to a diabetic coma.
What is an emergency of high blood sugar? ›
Sweet-smelling breath and labored breathing, fatigue, and vomiting may be signs of a diabetic ketoacidosis, which is most common in type 1 diabetes. This is a very dangerous and life-threatening emergency situation. Even in type 2 diabetes, severe hyperglycemia can lead to unconsciousness and can be life-threatening.
What blood sugar level is too high for a diabetic? ›
For a person with diabetes, hyperglycemia is usually considered to be a blood glucose level greater than 180 mg/dL one to two hours after eating.
What is the danger zone for sugar levels? ›
EMERGENCY – You are in the danger zone if you have:
Blood glucose that is still less than 4 mmol/L after 3 attempts to treat low blood sugar. Blood glucose that is greater than 20 mmol/L for more than 8 hours and you are symptomatic (if you have Type 2 Diabetes).
At what blood sugar level can you go into a diabetic coma? ›
HHS happens when your blood glucose (sugar) levels are too high for a long period, leading to severe dehydration and confusion. Blood sugar levels are usually over 600 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). If you don't get treatment for HHS in time, it can lead to a coma.
What is the alarming level of sugar? ›
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.
