What Blood Sugar Is High?

Contributor

By John Wu
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating:

(0 Ratings)

When blood sugar remains high for an extended period of time, it causes damage to the body such as neuropathy and heart disease. High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, is the main symptom of diabetes.

Process

As dietary sugar is consumed, the pancreas secretes insulin to tell the body to absorb the glucose in the bloodstream. This process doesn't work as well in diabetics.

Effects

If sugar remains in the blood frequently for extended periods of time, processes in the body are disrupted. For example, excess glucose cells attach to protein which interrupts its normal function.

Time Frame

Doctors and patients measure fasting blood glucose just before a meal; that is when blood glucose levels are at their lowest. That is the best time to determine whether blood sugar levels are high.

Guidelines

According to the American Diabetes Association, fasting blood glucose levels between 100 mg/dl and 125 mg/dl result in a diagnosis of pre-diabetes. Doctors diagnose diabetes in patients with fasting blood sugar levels above 125 mg/dl.