Dangerous Glucose Levels

Glucose is a type of simple sugar that serves as your body̵7;s primary source of energy. But glucose can only be catabolized for energy if it̵7;s permitted into your body̵7;s cells. There are dangers associated with high levels of glucose accumulating in your blood.

Features

• Each of your body̵7;s cells is enclosed within a membrane which will not permit the entry of glucose unless, in response to the hormone insulin, it̵7;s directed to open up. Cells function best when there̵7;s a constant level of glucose in the blood, but too much glucose in the fluid that surrounds your cells will hinder their function.

Effects

• If glucose is unable to leave your bloodstream by entering your body̵7;s cells, it begins accumulating in the tissues of your body̵7;s kidneys, heart, eyes, and nerve endings. Left unchecked, this will cause damage to these organs and create serious health complications.

Symptoms

• Some of the symptoms of dangerously high glucose levels are frequent urination, fatigue, extreme thirst, hunger, rapid weight loss, vomiting, decreased healing, and blurred vision.

Testing

• Blood glucose levels fluctuate in accordance with your food intake. Therefore the meaning of the result of a blood glucose test depends upon when the test is performed in relation to when your last meal was.

Results

• Glucose levels are considered high if you haven̵7;t eaten in at least 8 hours and your levels come back 126 mg/dL (the number of glucose milligrams per every deciliter of blood) or higher. Anytime a test comes back 200 mg/dL or above, no matter when your last meal was, it̵7;s considered dangerously high.