Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar)

Hyperglycemia is a glucose level of 15 mmol/L or higher.

Hyperglycaemia can occur quickly, over hours or can build up over days.

You may feel symptoms such as thirsty, increased urination, tired, blurred vision, weight loss, infections (basically the same as the symptoms of going into DKA which is what can happen when you have high blood sugar levels for a period of time). You also might not show any symptoms at all and only be aware when your monitoring device alerts you / you do a finger prick.

There are many things that can cause high blood sugar levels (just like many things can cause low blood sugar levels).

Some common causes of high blood sugar:

• Not enough basal or bolus insulin

• Large amounts of carbohydrates/high glycemic carbs that raise blood sugar quickly

• Sickness/Colds/Flu

• Infections

• Stress

• Medications

• Hormonal fluctuations

It is important you test your blood sugar levels frequently as well as your ketone levels.

Drink extra water/electrolytes and contact your DE about increasing your insulin and/or commence your sick day management plan.

If you have high blood sugar levels that won’t come down, you start to vomit, or you have moderate - large ketones present then consider it a medical emergency and go to hospital to avoid DKA.