What should I do if I have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)?

If you think your blood glucose is high (hyperglycemia), do this right away:

1. Check blood glucose. This helps make sure that the symptoms are coming from high blood glucose, not something else.

If your blood glucose is high, take your correction dose of insulin. Follow your doctor's instructions for taking this dose. Correction doses are usually given as needed at mealtimes and bedtime, and not more frequently than every three to four hours.

2. If your blood glucose is over 300 mg/dL at least twice in a row (checking at your regular times), also check for ketones in your urine. Use the ketone test strips (such as Keto-Diastix and Chemstrip uGK) from the pharmacy. Follow the instructions exactly -- collect urine in the sample cup, dip the strip in the urine, and wait 60 seconds before matching the strip to the color chart to see if you have ketones.

3a. If ketones are present and you are not vomiting (throwing up):

• Take your correction dose if you haven't already done so.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Recheck your urine for ketones every two to four hours until they are negative.

3b. If ketones are present and you are vomiting (throwing up):

• Call your doctor or diabetes educator for advice.
• Take your correction dose if you haven't already done so.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Recheck your urine for ketones every two to four hours until they are negative.

4. Report your high blood glucose reading to your doctor at the next scheduled phone call or visit.