Everyday effects

Your blood glucose level can affect your health on a day to day basis so it’s important to manage it well to prevent it from either rising too high or dropping too low.

If your blood glucose levels become too high you may be thirstier than usual, start to feel tired and pass urine more often than usual. If your blood glucose levels become too high your body starts to break down fat for energy because it can’t get any glucose. This break down of fat produces poisons called toxins that can be harmful. A high blood glucose level is called hyperglycaemia, or sometimes a ‘hyper’. Having high blood glucose levels for long periods of time can damage some of the main organs in your body, like your heart and kidneys, and can make you very unwell.

If your blood glucose levels become too low this can also make you feel unwell. The symptoms of low blood glucose levels vary from person to person but you may become confused, start sweating or shaking, have a fast heartbeat and have blurred or double vision. This is often called a ‘hypo’, which is short for hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels) and can cause you to feel faint or pass out.

You can manage your blood glucose levels by eating the right foods as well as by taking tablets or insulin if you need to. Your doctor or nurse will talk to you about the blood glucose level you are aiming for throughout the day and night.

If you are worried about managing your blood glucose levels day to day then talk to your doctor or nurse for help and advice.