Diabetics--Can you tell the difference when your blood sugar is 250...

[European Socialist]

rather than 150. I can't. I'm wondering if some people tolerate higher levels. I cannot find any literature anywhere that debates what numbers are normal.

[Siyahamba]

1. No

It really does vary from person to person, which makes regular checking very important. My partner starts feeling effects of low blood sugar when he drops below 100, while I don't until 70 or so.

[MiniMe]

2. It isn't if you can tolerate a higher blood sugar, it is what you are used to

If your blood sugar is normally around 250, you may feel like it is low if you hit 150. Normal blood sugar is 80-110. My blood sugars used to run high, and then I started being treated for it. I would feel funny if my blood sugar got down to close to normal. Then, as time went on, I started feeling normal with normal blood sugars. I have actually gone down to about 50 before I started feeling really low. The only real way to tell what your blood sugar is would be with a blood test. They make meters now so you can test on the spot. Both 150 and 250 are high, and high blood sugars can cause a lot of damage to other organs. PM me if you have any other questions.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. 100ish is normal

Depends on when you late ate, what you ate etc.

[Warpy]

4. It all depends on what you're used to

and some diabetics can't tolerate a normal reading of 90, it's far too low for them.

The best thing is to test your blood glucose and find out for sure.

[roguevalley]

5. I find that if there is a sweet taste in my mouth, I am running high. I

am usually 70-90 so I can tell when I'm high. My head feels woozy.

[grasswire]

6. yes

about 180 my heart starts to skip a few beats and I start to feel pretty rotten. A glass of milk usually resolves whatever's going on, whether I'm low or high. I'm not in as good control as I'd like to be, even though I'm very carb restricted and eat sensibly.

Oh, and sometimes that rotten feeling is resolved with just a big glass of lukewarm water. Don't know why that works.

[demosincebirth]

7. Consistent high blood sugar is not good for you and will

eventually take its toll on your system. Here is what my MD recommended.


Fasting: 85 - 110

2hrs after dinner: less that 180

Bedtime: 110 - 150


I know its not easy, I try and fail many times. Good luck.

[gristy]

8. At 250 I will taste an ever-so-slight sweetness in my mouth

But it is very subtle, and I will always test to confirm before I take a couple units of regular.
No kidneys are going to long tolerate 250 on an ongoing basis. I can be anywhere between 30 to 230 at any given time, but try to keep it below 130.

[TexasProgresive]

9. You are just used to the high level- if it falls fast but still not to

normal levels(75 to 104) you may have symptoms of low blood sugar. Consistently high sugars will blind, destroy your kidneys, your cardiovascular system, nerves, cause amputation and ultimately kill you. Get in control. Eat right, exercise and take what ever medication you need.

[mzmolly]

10. Moodiness

and being overly emotional is apparent when a family member of mine runs high.

[European Socialist]

11. That, and bending over to get something hard to find out of...

the freezer gets me angry--Yup, higher BS gives you a short fuse.

[mzmolly]

12. I read a discussion board with the spouses of diabetics

complaining that high BS has led to intense outbursts and many diabetics are in denial about it. Awareness is key. :hi:

[kdmorris]

13. In the beginning of my disease progression, I could

Now, I can't. I can tell that it "feels high", but not how high. Lows are a bit different, in that there's a lot of shakiness involved, which only starts happening when I get below 60.