People with diabetes can perform self-tests of hyperglycemia (high blood glucose). Also known as glucose monitoring, self-testing of glucose (blood sugar) usually involves pricking the finger for a sample of blood and placing that sample on a test strip. The strip is then analyzed by a glucose meter. The meter digitally displays the glucose level as a number in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

A high blood glucose reading is any reading above a patient’s physician-recommended target range. Although other methods exist, the glucose meter is considered the most accurate home method for measuring day-to-day glucose control.

Glucose blood tests performed in healthcare settings can also detect hyperglycemia.

Although they are typically used only when blood testing is impossible, urine tests can also be used to check for hyperglycemia. Glucose is generally detectable in urine once blood glucose levels rise above 180 mg/dL, although this is highly variable.