14 Symptoms That Indicate You Have Very High Blood Sugar Levels

Here are 14 symptoms that can indicate very high blood sugar levels, with important context.

Important Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you experience these symptoms, especially persistently or severely, please consult a healthcare professional immediately.

Understanding High Blood Sugar

High blood sugar occurs when your body doesn’t have enough insulin or can’t use insulin effectively to move glucose (sugar) from your bloodstream into your cells for energy. This causes glucose to build up in the blood.

The 14 Common Symptoms

These symptoms often develop gradually but can become more severe if left unaddressed.

The Early and Most Common Signs:

1. Increased Thirst (Polydipsia): Your body tries to dilute the excess sugar in your blood by pulling fluid from your tissues, making you feel constantly thirsty.

2. Frequent Urination (Polyuria): To remove the excess sugar, your kidneys work overtime, producing more urine and leading to more trips to the bathroom, especially at night.

3. Intense Hunger (Polyphagia): Despite having high blood sugar, your cells aren’t getting the energy they need. This signals your body that it’s starving, triggering intense hunger.

4. Fatigue and Weakness: Since glucose can’t enter your cells effectively, you lack energy, leading to persistent tiredness and a feeling of being drained.

5. Blurred Vision: High blood sugar can cause the lens of your eye to swell, changing its shape and leading to blurry or distorted vision.

6. Headaches: This is a common early sign, often related to dehydration and the body’s overall stress response to high blood sugar.

Symptoms as Blood Sugar Remains High:

7. Unexplained Weight Loss: Even though you’re eating more, your body starts breaking down muscle and fat for energy since it can’t use the available glucose. This leads to sudden, unintentional weight loss.

8. Dry Mouth and Itchy Skin: Dehydration from frequent urination can cause dry mouth and make skin dry and itchy.

9. Difficulty Concentrating (“Brain Fog”): Your brain runs primarily on glucose. When it’s not getting enough, you may experience confusion, difficulty focusing, and poor concentration.

10. Slow-Healing Sores and Cuts: High blood sugar can impair blood flow and damage nerves, slowing down the body’s natural healing process and increasing the risk of infection.

11. Frequent Infections: Yeast infections (like thrush or vaginal yeast infections) and urinary tract infections (UTIs) thrive on sugar, making them more common when blood sugar is high.

12. Tingling or Numbness in Hands/Feet: This is a sign of nerve damage (neuropathy) caused by long-term high blood sugar.

13. Red, Swollen, Tender Gums: High blood sugar can weaken your immune system’s ability to fight bacteria in your mouth, leading to gum disease.

14. Fruity-Smelling Breath: This is a medical emergency. It’s a sign of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), where the body breaks down fat for energy, releasing acidic ketones. This can lead to a diabetic coma if not treated immediately.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Go to the emergency room or call for emergency services if you or someone you know experiences these symptoms alongside high blood sugar:

• Fruity-smelling breath

• Nausea and vomiting

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Extreme dry mouth and confusion

• Weakness or fainting

What to Do Next

1. Consult a Doctor: If you are experiencing a cluster of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor. A simple blood test (like a fasting blood glucose or an A1c test) can diagnose the issue.

2. Know Your Risk Factors: Risk factors include being overweight, having a sedentary lifestyle, a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, and being over the age of 45.

3. Manage Your Health: If you have diabetes, follow your management plan regarding medication, diet, and exercise. If you are diagnosed with prediabetes, lifestyle changes can often prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

Recognizing these symptoms is the first step toward getting the proper care and management for your health.