The short explanation
A reading that high needs attention the same day, even if you feel okay. Very high sugar can lead to dehydration and serious complications, and sometimes symptoms appear only later. First, wash your hands and recheck, because food on the fingers can give a false high reading. If it is still very high, contact your doctor or a clinic tonight or as early as possible. Do not try to bring it down by taking extra tablets on your own, as this can cause problems. Drink water, avoid sweets and sugary drinks, and look for possible causes such as a missed medicine, a large festive meal, an infection, or a new medicine like a steroid.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- If you also feel very thirsty, are passing a lot of urine, feel drowsy, confused, are vomiting or breathing fast, it is an emergency.
- Infections such as a urine infection, foot wound or chest infection often push sugar up.
- Keep a record of your readings to show your doctor.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you why your sugar is so high or what treatment change is needed. Your doctor will advise.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Why might my sugar be so high?
- Do I need a change in treatment?
- Could I have an infection?
- What should I do if this happens again?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to emergency if a very high reading comes with vomiting, drowsiness, confusion or fast deep breathing.
Get help the same day
- Contact your doctor or a clinic the same day if a repeated reading is still very high, even if you feel well.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a routine review of your diabetes treatment soon after.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Diabetes MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
- Type 2 diabetes NHS
- Preventing diabetes problems National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH)
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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