One characteristic of blood-glucose disorders is that the body puts up with them quietly for a long time, even for years. The thought "I feel fine, so my glucose must be fine" is comfortable, but extremely dangerous – it lulls many people into a false sense of security.
Silent damage: how long can you stay symptom-free?
The classic textbook signs – shaking, dizziness, cold sweats – mostly appear with hypoglycaemia, that is, at extremely low values. The high range (hyperglycaemia), by contrast, is barely felt by many people; the signs – tiredness, thirst, frequent urination, small skin tags – are easy to put down to stress.
Frequent urination is the body's desperate attempt to "wash out" the excess sugar through the kidneys – which can lead to dehydration and constant thirst.
Some people report feeling "completely fine" even at dangerously high glucose levels (e.g. 28 mmol/L) – because the body adapts to chronically high values.
Invisible damage: what happens at the molecular level?
Excess sugar in the blood binds to proteins and fats, stiffens the vessel walls, and sustains chronic, low-grade inflammation . This raises cholesterol and blood lipid levels and can open a direct path to cardiovascular disease.
- The thinnest blood vessels are damaged first: retinopathy (eyes), nephropathy (kidneys), neuropathy (nerves).
- Later, damage to the large vessels increases the risk of heart attack and stroke .
Is how you feel really a reliable "measuring device"? The answer: no. Without data, treatment is only guesswork.
Without data there is no good decision
A single fasting value is like the headline of an article without the content. It can be reassuring, but it can also be misleading .
Lab test (HbA1c): shows the average blood glucose level over the past ~3 months – key to judging long-term risk.
Medical consultation: reviewing the results, discussing modern diagnostic options.
Continuous monitoring (CGM): 15 days of continuous data on trends and variability, not just on the average.
There is no room for putting it off – and yet there is good news
Many people put it off because they are afraid of the result. But if the problem comes to light in time, there is a great deal you can do with lifestyle and the right treatment.
And if everything is fine: certainty is itself an enormous relief – and a value.
When it is not yourself you have to convince: how to talk to your loved ones
Avoid criticism and scaremongering; use a compassionate, supportive tone instead.
- Put it like this: "I have noticed that you are often thirsty and tired – shall we go and get it measured together?"
- Offer concrete help: going with them to the examination, measuring together.
- Emphasise: a measurement is not a verdict, but a chance for reassurance or early intervention .
Even if it turns out there is a problem, it is not the end – you have a tool in your hands
Even continuous measurement does not have to be uncomfortable: with modern sensors, glucose monitoring is simple, continuous and painless. The data helps not only you but your doctor as well, so nothing goes unnoticed.
One short decision can be a big step for your health: without data there is no safe decision.
Note: this content is for education and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.