High Blood Sugar
Having high blood sugar levels means you have too much of a certain sugar in your blood, which may indicate diabetes. Your body uses blood sugar, or glucose, for energy. But when glucose levels are too high, health problems may occur.
There are 2 types of diabetes that may affect men
Type 1 Diabetes
Common in children and young adults
Signs and symptoms include:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Weight loss that you can't explain
- Feeling very tired and irritable
Type 2 Diabetes*
Common in adults
Signs and symptoms include:
- Type 1 diabetes symptoms
- Cuts or bruises that don't heal quickly
- Frequent infections
- Tingling/numbness in hands or feet
- Blurry eyesight
*Often people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms.
If you think you have symptoms of high blood sugar, ask your doctor to check with a blood test. Be sure to track your levels to compare against normal blood glucose levels.
If you do not have diabetes:
Normal blood glucose (after not eating) |
70–99 mg/dL (3.9–5.5 mmol/L)2† |
If you do have diabetes‡:
Normal blood glucose (after not eating) |
70–130 mg/dL (3.9–7.2 mmol/L)3† |
† Ask your doctor what these blood glucose levels mean and what your numbers mean.
‡ Work with your doctor to help you set goals based on your specific medical history and risk factors.
This guide can help you keep track of your blood sugar.
Download and print a full set of health risk charts and bring them with you to all your check-ups to help you monitor your health risks.
Find important information about the types of diabetes, how it's
diagnosed, and the fundamentals of managing it at
www.diabetes.org
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National diabetes fact sheet: national estimates and general information on diabetes and prediabetes in the United States, 2011. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;2011. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2011.pdf. Accessed March 12, 2012. 2.
2. WebMD Web site. Blood glucose. http://diabetes.webmd.com/blood-glucose. Accessed February 8, 2012.
3. American Diabetes Association Web site. Checking your blood glucose. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/checking-your-blood-glucose.html. Accessed November 30, 2011.
4. Data on file. Yankelovich men’s “Drive for Five” health campaign report survey. Conducted June 20-28, 2012.