Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia – colloquially called hyperglycemia – (ICD-10-GM R73.-: Elevated blood glucose) is an elevated blood glucose (blood sugar) level.

If chronic hyperglycemia occurs, it is diabetes mellitus (diabetes).

Hyperglycemia is present when there is:

Fasting glucose (glucose in serum). > 110 mg/dl (> 6.1 mmol/l)
Glucose 2 hours postprandial (after eating). > 140 mg/dl (> 7.8 mmol/)

After eating, a blood glucose level that is elevated in the setting is physiologic (without disease value).

Course and prognosis:The course and prognosis depend on the underlying disease.A persistently elevated blood glucose level requires further diagnosis and must usually be treated with medication to prevent health consequences such as kidney damage.