High blood glucose levels or hyperglycaemia occurs when the BGL is above the recommended target range for your child’s age (monitoring BGLs). You will notice high BGLs from time to time, these isolated high levels may need no action, except when ketones are present. However, frequent and constant high BGLs require adjustment of the diabetes management plan, in discussion with your diabetes team.

What are the main causes of high BGLs?

If your child’s BGL is high, they may notice one or more of the following:
• Not enough insulin
• Missed insulin dose
• Less physical activity than usual
• Eating more food than usual
• Stress eg. exams, excitement, strenuous exercise, clinic appointments
• Infections
• Excessive heat / hot weather
• Sticky fingers – not washing hands before a test can cause a false high reading

Signs and symptoms

If your child’s BGL is high, they may notice one or more of the following:
• Thirst
• Frequent passing of urine
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Tummy ache
• Poor appetite
• Blurred vision

Managing high BGLs

If your child’s BGL is high, it’s important to:

Test for ketones if BGL above 15mmol/L (using urine testing strips or a meter that tests for blood ketones).

If your child’s BGL is over 15mmol/L and ketones are present:
• Extra insulin is required - discuss insulin adjustment with your diabetes team
• Encourage plenty of fluids – water or sugar free drinks
• Test BGLs more frequently
• Treat any underlying illness
• Avoid strenuous exercise

If no ketones are present:
• Encourage plenty of fluids – water or sugar free drinks
• Test BGLs more frequently
• Treat any underlying illness

Look for patterns in BGLs to see if there is a rise at the same time every day. If so, adjustment to your child’s insulin plan may be required.

It’s important to never stop giving insulin – this can cause BGLs to go even higher.