PM” is somewhat sensationalized. High blood sugar can cause symptoms at night, but there is no established medical rule that symptoms specifically become worse after 10 PM. Symptoms can occur at any time, depending on glucose levels and other factors.
7 possible nighttime signs of high blood sugar
- Frequent nighttime urination
High glucose can cause the kidneys to excrete more glucose and water, leading to increased urination, including waking up several times at night. - Excessive thirst or dry mouth
Losing more water through urine can cause dehydration, resulting in strong thirst and a dry mouth. - Poor or disturbed sleep
Repeated trips to the bathroom, thirst, or discomfort can interrupt sleep. - Feeling unusually tired
High blood glucose can be associated with weakness and fatigue. - Blurred vision
High glucose can cause temporary changes in vision. - Headache or feeling unwell
Headache can occur alongside significant hyperglycemia, although it has many other possible causes. - Unexplained weight loss
Particularly when accompanied by increased thirst and urination, unexplained weight loss can be a sign of diabetes and should be medically evaluated.
Important: symptoms don’t diagnose diabetes
Many of these symptoms have causes other than diabetes. In addition, type 2 diabetes can develop gradually and some people have few or no symptoms. A blood-glucose test is needed to determine whether someone actually has diabetes.
If you’re repeatedly waking up to urinate, feeling extremely thirsty, losing weight without trying, or experiencing persistent blurred vision or fatigue, it’s reasonable to arrange a blood glucose/HbA1c evaluation with a healthcare professional
