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Signs of High Blood Sugar You Should Not Brush Off
Signs of high blood sugar include frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, unintended weight loss, fatigue, blurry vision and frequent infections. Many people with prediabetes feel nothing. Only a blood test confirms the cause, so call your doctor if these signs persist.
Written by the Sugar Defender label teamUpdated · 4 min read
What are the signs of high blood sugar?
The signs of high blood sugar are frequent urination, strong thirst, hunger, weight loss you did not plan, tiredness, blurry vision and infections that keep returning (CDC, Symptoms of Diabetes).
In type 2 diabetes, slow-healing sores and numbness or tingling in the hands or feet can appear as well.
These signs often creep in over weeks or months, so people explain them away as age, stress or a busy life.
Body signs
Frequent urination and thirst that does not settle after drinking.
Energy signs
Fatigue and hunger even after a normal meal.
Slow-repair signs
Sores that heal slowly, repeat infections, tingling in hands or feet.
Why does high blood sugar cause thirst and tiredness?
High blood sugar causes thirst and tiredness because the body tries to remove extra glucose through urine, and cells cannot use the glucose for energy.
Passing more urine drains fluid, so you feel thirsty. Meanwhile, glucose stuck in the blood does not reach the cells, so you feel drained and hungry.
Blurry vision can come from changes in the lens of the eye as sugar levels swing. It often improves when levels settle, but it needs an eye and blood sugar check.
None of these signs prove diabetes on their own. Dehydration, medicines, thyroid problems and infections can look similar, which is why testing matters.
Can you have high blood sugar with no signs?
Yes. Many people with prediabetes or early type 2 diabetes have no signs at all, so a normal feeling does not prove normal blood sugar.
About 97.6 million US adults had prediabetes in 2021 (NIDDK, Insulin Resistance & Prediabetes). The CDC lists who is at higher risk (CDC, Diabetes Risk Factors).
| Risk factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Age 45 or older | Risk rises with age |
| Active fewer than 3 times a week | Muscles use less glucose |
| Parent or sibling with type 2 | Family history raises risk |
| Overweight or obesity | Linked to insulin resistance |
If you tick one or more boxes, ask for a test even if you feel fine. Read our insulin resistance basics to see how risk builds up.
How do you find out if your blood sugar is high?
You find out with a blood test ordered by a clinician: an A1C, a fasting glucose or a glucose tolerance test.
Prediabetes shows as an A1C of 5.7% to 6.4%, a fasting reading of 100 to 125 mg/dL, or a 2-hour glucose tolerance result of 140 to 199 mg/dL. Diabetes starts at 6.5%, 126 mg/dL or 200 mg/dL on those tests, and needs confirming (NIDDK, Diabetes & Prediabetes Tests).
Write down your signs
Note what you feel, when it started and how often.
Book a visit
Ask for a test, and mention family history and medicines.
Follow the plan
Retest when your clinician says, not just when you feel worse.
Get urgent care if you have a very high reading with vomiting, confusion, fast breathing or severe weakness.
Can a supplement diagnose or fix high blood sugar?
No. A supplement cannot diagnose high blood sugar, and Sugar Defender is not a treatment for any disease.
The label says so in its own words: the product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It also asks you to speak with a physician first if you take any medication.
Starting drops before a test can hide the question that matters, which is what your numbers really are. Test first, then ask your clinician what, if anything, to add. Our guide to supplements and diabetes medicines explains the risks of lows.
A new supplement is never a reason to stop or change a prescription. Call your doctor with questions.
FAQ01
Signs of high blood sugar: quick questions
Can high blood sugar make you tired all the time?
Yes. When glucose cannot enter your cells, they lack energy, so you can feel drained even after eating. Tiredness has many causes, so ask for a blood test rather than guessing.
What are the first signs of high blood sugar?
Frequent urination and unusual thirst are among the common early signs. Hunger, fatigue and blurry vision may follow. Signs can be mild, so see a clinician if they last more than a few days.
Does blurry vision mean high blood sugar?
It can, because swings in blood sugar affect the lens of the eye. Blurry vision has other causes too, so book an eye exam and ask for a blood sugar test.
When is high blood sugar an emergency?
Seek urgent care if a high reading comes with vomiting, confusion, fast breathing or severe weakness. If someone cannot stay awake or cannot swallow, call 911 right away.
Who wrote this02
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and the way we check reviews. This website is run by an authorized American Sugar Defender outlet, not by the manufacturer or the distributor. Purchases made through our order links earn us money.
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