What Is High Blood Glucose?

by Jacklyn Dephoff

Overview

Candies and starchy foods are sources of high glucose.

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High blood glucose is a condition associated with common metabolic diseases such as diabetes. The level of sugar circulating in your bloodstream is determined via blood tests and may fluctuate depending on your diet and physical activity.
Facts

The foods we eat are digested into glucose, a type of sugar, which our body uses in energy production. The glucose is transported to different parts of our body via the blood.

Normal Range

"According to Dr. Elizabeth H. Holt, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yale University, the normal level of glucose in the blood is 70 to 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) before meals and less than 180 mg/dL after meals (See References 1). Thus, blood glucose measurements higher than the normal range indicates high blood glucose or hyperglycemia.
Symptoms

The most common symptoms of high blood glucose are weight loss, increased urination, change in vision, moodiness, yeast infection, muscle cramps, and numbness of the hands and feet. These symptoms vary on every individual and may depend on your current physical, medical, and social status.
Causes

There are several reasons for having elevated blood glucose, however, the most common cause involves the hormone insulin. This hormone facilitates the conversion of glucose into energy by signaling cells to absorb glucose. If you have low insulin or if your cells fail to recognize the signals of insulin, glucose builds up in your bloodstream.
Effects

By nature, your body tries to cope with high blood glucose, however, in extreme cases, elevated glucose may lead to life-threatening conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS), and ketoacidosis.