The High-Sugar Alert: 12 Signs Your Blood Sugar May Be Too High
The headline is a little misleading: symptoms alone cannot tell you that your blood sugar is high. Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes can develop with few or no symptoms, so testing is the reliable way to find out.
Possible signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination, including getting up at night
- Increased hunger
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth or dry skin
- Slow-healing cuts or sores
- Frequent urinary or yeast infections
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
- Headaches
- Mood changes or irritability
🩸 Don’t rely on symptoms
Many of these signs can have other causes. A blood glucose test and/or A1C test can determine whether you have diabetes or prediabetes.
🚨 When it’s urgent
Very high blood sugar can sometimes progress to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Warning signs include vomiting, abdominal pain, fruity-smelling breath, deep or rapid breathing, severe weakness, confusion, or difficulty staying awake. DKA is a medical emergency.
