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Blood sugar high readings

diamonddamaris

diamonddamaris

Well-Known Member
Messages
90
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
What is considered a high blood glucose reading for type 1 diabetes? How high is the danger zone?
 
Some of it depends on your general control and what is acceptable. Here in the US they like you to stay under 10 (180) at least 70% of the time (TIR). Many of us try to stay under 8.9 for our health as much as possible. I say that but circumstances can control what levels we manage to maintain. Work, exercise, stress, illness or other medical conditions etc can make control harder. So it's a discussion to have with your doctor about what he wants you to try for. Always make baby steps in changes.

But higher levels can mean long term damage, especially to eyes and kidneys. But if you are asking about at what level can cause immediate concern? Anything, but over 10 (180) could be an issue although that's rarer, it's usually at a higher number. It really isn't how high you BG level is, it's the lack of insulin that is making your level go "too high". The lack of enough or any insulin can cause DKA, which can be very serious very fast.

So someone lacking enough insulin can go into DKA, and that is what is serious. Some people it seems to happen easier or at different levels than others. And that's what you need to keep a close eye on by testing for ketones if you go too high. If you have ketones you need to contact your doctor or go get checked. But you need to test for ketones and watch out for the symptoms of DKA. Unfortunately it's not at a set BG level.

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I have an appointment with my doctor at the end of the month so I have a few other questions to ask them. My manager at work asked me yesterday what is considered too high a blood sugar reading and I had no idea.
 
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