Glucose levels 12.4 what does this mean?

[GosteadyEddie]

Ok, so I bought a blood glucose testing kit as I've been having some symptoms and wanted to rule out diabetes. I know nothing about it really. My reading has come out at 12.4 this morning and I've not had anything to eat.

That’s very high.
Non diabetics have readings of about 4.
Diabetics should keep it under 6 really.

Get an appointment with your GP.

Yes, that's not normal at all. See your GP, as Cauliflower said.

It's not dangerously high though. No need for A & E.

That's a high reading, particularly if it was a true fasting test (no food for at least 8 hrs, only water/black tea or coffee to drink). Arrange to see your GP soon to get formally tested.

That’s high. My husband diagnosed himself in the same way. He’d ticked all the boxes for diabetes symptoms and so got a blood sugar monitor, his reading was about 16. Somehow he escaped without being admitted to hospital but you really should see someone as soon as you can.

Thanks all. I'm worried now! I have had a cup of tea and coffee this am but not with sugar. Nothing to eat since about 8pm last night.

I've been extremely tired (just crashing) the last year. I had a thyroid test which was ruled out but no diabetes tests since my youngest's pregnancy 5 years ago.
This past week, I've been suddenly getting thirsty and a bit light headed and the past few months palpitations on and off which I've never had before. I've also been having night sweats.
This all prompted me to get a test for diabetes but not to bother GP as I struggled to get time off work anyway.
Would these symptoms be indicative?

Thanks Rain, are they quite accurate?

12.5 fasting is well above the diagnostic cut off and with your other symptoms I would really recommend going to see your GP

Thanks zolaa. I will do (grudgingly!)

That's indicative of diabetes. You need to go to walk in today, failing that A+E.
Many will say GP on Monday but that's not safe as we don't know which type of diabetic you are

Thanks Sinister, I'm a bit scared to eat now! I can't ever remember being tested for diabetes if the test is a finger prick one at the GP or would it have shown up in routine bloods? I'm also not sure if the gestational diabetes one would show the other type.

Definitely see gp. In the meantime, stay away from sugars, simple carbs. Eat lots of veg, ideally that grows above ground not below, protein, some complex carbs- carbs/sugars minus fibre = net carbs and the lower the better. Drink plenty and dont worry: doc will / should order an hba1c blood test which gives an av blood sugar over the last 3 months so dont fret about misleading result from looking after yourself this weekend!

Please see your GP. We're your hands clean and dry and free of any soap residue? Newspaper print and sone soaps contain sugar which give false readings.
How old are you?

I'm 38 perverse a bit overweight but not hugely. Perverse, I cleaned and dried but I'll double check that in the next one I do.

Is the machine calibrated and tested? Blood glucose testing at home isn't usually recommended due to errors in testing and the anxiety it causes, unless patients are insulin dependent. We no longer prescribe testing strips regularly for non insulin dependent diabetics.
Initial testing is via blood tests for glucose levels and then we look at the long range levels of glucose in the blood via HbA1c testing.
My advice would be to address any dietary issues, exercise more, even if just regular walking of 10 mins a day that gets your heart rate up, cut out alcohol if you drink, and all the other usual healthy lifestyle advice whilst you await a GP appointment.
I'd be surprised if your thyroid was tested in isolation. Depending on your area they do free health checks at either over 35 or 40. In these we do BMI, BP, lifestyle advice and bloods including cholesterol, glucose, liver function, kidney function, thyroid and a full blood count.
Hope you find an answer.

I think you need to get checked out today. Untreated diabetes can be fatal, it's unlikely but possible.

Most doctors are going to want to see you and check a couple of bloods (today). Rarely you need admitting. But it's the cases where actually diabetic ketoacidosis or a hyperosmolar hyperglyceamic state are developing that mean you need to be seen.

Another vote for being checked out ASAP. Can you call out of hours GP to ask them if you should be seen today or get an urgent appointment on Monday?

I think that's quite high for type two diabetes in someone who is relatively young. I would definitely seek medical advice pretty quickly and make sure they consider type one.

Thanks again for your replies. I checked around mid day and it had gone down to about 6.5, so I stopped worrying and though maybe the machine had a glitch or I'd not done it properly but this evening it went back up to 10.6. I will make an appointment ASAP to put mind at rest. The monitor is Safe Accu from Sinocare.

Good to keep checking until you get your diagnosis.

Glad it's gone down but definitely see soneone as soon as you can get an appointment as it sounds very much like you have type 2 diabetes.

My husband is a type 1 diabetic. You need to see your GP. 12 is too high for a non diabetic. They'll do a hbac1 blood test which will show your average blood glucose for the last three months. Don't worry though, you can change this around if you're pre diabetic. And lots of things can be done for type 2. So you'll be ok!

Would milk in tea and coffee op had affect the reading? And the other readings be affected by food eaten over the day? Or was op fasting all day? Just wondering.

12.4 mmol is not normal even after food (let alone fasting) in a person without diabetes

Ok, just wondering. Thanks.