What is dangerously high blood sugar for type 2 diabetes?

If you're living with type 2 diabetes, you've probably heard a lot about managing your blood sugar levels. But what does that really mean, and when should you be concerned?

Insulin is crucial for keeping your blood sugar levels in a healthy range, preventing unwanted spikes and drops. Living with type 2 diabetes means the insulin your body makes becomes less effective and your pancreas, the organ that produces insulin, has to work overtime. Over months, and years, the pancreas tires and cannot keep up with the demand. Without enough insulin, sugar builds up in your blood, which can lead to health problems over time^1,2.

While managing your blood sugar levels is important, with knowledge and the right treatment plan it doesn’t need to be a source of anxiety. Your healthcare professional is your first port of call for information about how to learn about and manage your blood sugar levels.

Simply put, your blood sugar level is an estimate of how much sugar is in your blood. By tracking your blood sugar level, you can identify the causes of spikes and drops which will help you manage your disease in the long term and may help avoid additional health complications^3,4. There are a few different methods of testing commonly used to keep track of this:

• Regular blood sugar checks: these give you a reading of your blood sugar at any given moment, and can be done anywhere⁵.
• HbA_1c test: also known as glycated haemoglobin, this gives an idea of your average blood sugar levels over the past few months⁵. It can help you understand your longer-term blood sugar control.
• Time in Range (TiR): if you use a continuous glucose monitor, you'll hear about TiR. It shows how much time you spend in your target blood sugar range⁶. It’s a way of seeing how well you're staying on track throughout the day.

Managing your blood sugar levels is important for feeling your best and protecting your long-term health⁷. With a proper treatment plan, keeping your blood sugar levels steady can help you:

• Feel better daily: when your blood sugar is well-managed, you're less likely to feel tired all the time, be super thirsty or need to urinate constantly⁸.
• Avoid emergencies: by keeping your blood sugar levels in check, you can steer clear of dangerous lows (hypoglycaemia) or highs (hyperglycaemia) that might need urgent medical attention^9,10.
• Protect your future health: maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is your best defence against complications like heart disease, kidney problems, nerve damage and vision issues¹¹. 

Blood sugar levels can become dangerous if they fall into the following ranges:

• Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)^1,2,10 : if your blood sugar drops too low for a prolonged period of time, it can lead to problems with your nerves and eyes, as well as cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease.
• Severe hypoglycaemia¹⁰: this is a medical emergency. If your blood sugar drops dangerously low, you need to seek help right away from a healthcare professional.
• Hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar)⁹: when your blood sugar stays high for too long, it can damage your nerves, heart and kidneys over time.
• Severe hyperglycaemia⁹: This could put you at risk for serious conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state. Both are medical emergencies and require immediate attention from a healthcare professional.

Remember, everyone's target range is different! Your healthcare team will help you figure out what's right for you.

Managing your blood sugar might seem daunting at first, but with time and practice it becomes second nature. It's all about learning to listen to your body and working with your healthcare team to find what works best for you.

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