blood sugar level of 21

Hi,

It's quite common for blood glucose levels to be high during an infection, it's also common for blood glucose levels to be high before an infection too.

Sounds like this could be the case for your father, especially as the infection resulted in hospitalization.

Blood glucose levels should be...

The latest 2011 NICE guidelines for Bg levels are as follows:

Fasting (waking and before meals).......between 4 - 7 mmol/l...(Type 1 & 2)
2 hours after meals........................no more than 8.5 mmol/l.....( Type 2)
2 hours after meals......................... no more than 9 mmol/l ......(Type 1)

Complications usually happen when blood glucose levels are high for a substantial amount of time, although it's best to keep levels within the recommended levels as much as possible.

does your father take medication for his diabetes? it might be worth calling his specialist to see if an increase in medication could do him some good if he's been high for a few weeks.

all the best

As Ebony says an infection quite often raises blood sugar levels. This can even happen in non diabetics. Has your father been seen by a diabetic consultant in the hospital? they may alter his medication to help him achieve better levels.