A raised blood glucose level is called hyperglycaemia. When definite it is diagnostic of diabetes mellitus. In an adult with symptoms of diabetes mellitus, a random venous plasma glucose of 11.1 mmol/l or more on two occasions or a fasting value of 7.0 mmol/l or more on two
occasions is diagnostic.
- Hyperglycemia occurs in pancreatic disease and some endocrine disorders such as thyrotoxicosis
- Cushings syndrome.
- Steroid therapy may also cause hyperglycaemia.
- Transient hyperglycaemia often occurs following severe stress, e.g. after surgery, injury, shock, infections, or severe burns.
These are essentially forms of transient diabetes (e.g. “stress diabetes”, “steroid diabetes”). However, it is now recognized that a number of these patients
may have pre-existing type 2 diabetes, therefore it is important to check that hyperglycaemia does resolve when the intercurrent illness resolve.
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