What Level of Blood Sugar is Dangerous?

Dangerous Blood Sugar Levels: When to Worry and What to Do

Blood sugar levels play a leading role in contributing energy to muscles, body cells, and the brain and supporting body functions. Uncontrollable blood sugar levels are dangerous, indicating diabetes. If blood sugar levels are extremely low or high, it may cause serious health complications like organ damage, death, etc.

So, learn about dangerous blood sugar levels in diabetes, including symptoms of extremely high and low blood sugar.

Normal Blood Sugar Levels

Blood glucose tests are preferred to measure blood sugar levels, which help to plan medications for diabetes and prediabetes. The clinical variations of checking normal blood sugar levels are highlighted below:   

• Generally, healthcare professionals consider a normal blood glucose level at 70-99 mg/dL.
• In fact, below 99 mg/dL is also considerable if the patient has had a blood test after fasting overnight.
• A 100 to 125 mg/dL sugar level directly indicates prediabetes.
• A sugar level at or more than 126 mg/dL defines type 2 diabetes.  

Dangerous Blood Sugar Level in Diabetes

High (hyperglycemia) or low (hypoglycemia) glucose concentration in the bloodstream results in dangerous blood sugar levels. Also, it depends on various factors, medical conditions, age, and situations, including stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, etc.

The following sugar levels are considered dangerous.

Dangerous Blood Sugar Level Due to Hyperglycemia  

High blood sugar levels also indicate a risk of health complications and poor glycaemic control. The considerably high blood sugar levels for diabetes patients are:

1. Over 180 mg/dL from Postprandial Blood Glucose Test (After Meal)  
2. Higher than 130 mg/dL from Fasting Blood Glucose Test (Overnight Fasting)

Dangerous Blood Sugar Level Due to Hypoglycemia   

Skipping meals, taking excessive insulin, consuming alcohol and intense exercising without medication or food adjustment can result in low blood sugar.

1. A glucose level below 70 mg/dL is dangerous for individuals.
2. Sugar level at or below 54 mg/dL indicates severe hypoglycaemia.  

Symptoms of High Blood Sugar Level

Here are some mild to persistent symptoms of high sugar that display serious complications of diabetes.    

• Increased thirst than usual
• Tiredness
• Frequent urination
• Blurred vision
• Unexpected weight loss
• Comparatively slow healing of wounds or cuts
• Concentration problems
• Vomiting and nausea
• Fruity-smelling breath

Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar Level

A person with low sugar can experience symptoms that suggest the need for immediate doctor consultation.  

• Trembling or shaking
• Excessive sweating
• Light headache or dizziness
• Palpitation
• Irritability
• Feeling hungrier than usual
• Loss of consciousness  

Reason for Prioritising Blood Sugar Levels

Sugar stays in the bloodstream if the body does not produce enough insulin to restrict the extracted sugar from drinks and foods. If a person has insulin resistance, the body might fail to respond properly to control sugar.   

Both higher and lower blood sugar levels have a dangerous impact on health; they can damage the vital organs of the body. The following are some dangerous health problems:  

• Nerve damage
• Kidney damage   
• Eye damage
• Uncontrollable Skin Problems  
• Stroke
• Heart disease

For diabetic patients, high levels of blood sugar over 180 mg/dL and below 54 mg/dL are considered dangerous for health. Uncontrollable sugar levels affect core organs and result in serious health issues, including nerve damage, kidney and eye damage, stroke, etc.