High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can develop gradually, and some people may not notice symptoms at first. When blood sugar stays elevated, the body may show warning signs such as:
Signs you may have high blood sugar:
- Frequent urination
- Excess glucose in the blood can make the kidneys work harder, causing more trips to the bathroom.
- Increased thirst
- Losing more fluid through urination can lead to unusual thirst.
- Feeling very tired
- When glucose cannot enter cells properly, the body may not get enough usable energy.
- Blurred vision
- High blood sugar can temporarily affect the shape of the eye’s lens.
- Increased hunger
- Some people feel hungry even after eating because the body is not using glucose effectively.
- Slow-healing cuts or frequent infections
- High blood sugar can affect immune function and the body’s ability to repair tissues.
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Long-term high blood sugar can damage nerves (diabetic neuropathy).
- Unexplained weight loss
- This can occur when the body starts using fat and muscle for energy due to problems using glucose.
When to seek medical advice
If you have symptoms of high blood sugar, especially with risk factors such as a family history of diabetes, overweight, high blood pressure, or previous high glucose readings, it’s a good idea to get checked.
Seek urgent care if very high blood sugar is accompanied by vomiting, severe weakness, confusion, trouble breathing, or severe dehydration.
A blood test such as fasting blood glucose or HbA1c can help determine whether blood sugar levels are in the normal, prediabetes, or diabetes range.
