Helping people gain better

Posted on December 1, 2025

38 million Americans live with diabetes. For those already diagnosed, maintaining stable blood sugar levels is one of the most important, and sometimes most challenging, parts of living well with diabetes.

When blood sugar levels stay too high for too long, it’s known as uncontrolled diabetes. This can happen for many reasons from missed medications and stress to changes in diet, illness, or lifestyle routines. Sometimes, it happens gradually and quietly. Other times, symptoms appear suddenly and signal that your body is struggling to process glucose effectively.

Uncontrolled diabetes isn’t just about elevated numbers on a glucose meter. Over time, it can affect nearly every part of the body, including your heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and skin. That’s why recognizing the early warning signs and understanding when to seek care is so important. The sooner you act, the easier it is to prevent long-term complications and get back on track towards a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Why Blood Sugar Control Matters

Uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk of complications including heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, kidney disease, and vision loss. Over time, high blood sugar can affect nearly every organ system, which is why early recognition of warning signs is critical.

Common Signs of Uncontrolled Diabetes

Some symptoms are subtle, while others are more obvious. If you experience any of the following, it’s time to talk with your healthcare provider:

• Increased thirst and frequent urination: Excess glucose in your bloodstream pulls water from tissues, leading to dehydration and more frequent bathroom trips.
• Extreme fatigue: When your body can’t properly use glucose for energy, you may feel tired all the time.
• Blurred vision: High blood sugar can cause the lens of your eye to swell, leading to temporary vision changes.
• Slow-healing cuts or frequent infections: Elevated glucose impairs circulation and weakens your immune response.
• Unexplained weight loss: Despite eating normally, your body may break down muscle and fat for energy.
• Numbness or tingling in hands and feet: A sign of diabetic nerve damage (neuropathy).
• Dry skin and recurrent yeast infections: Both can be related to excess sugar levels in blood and urine.

What Causes Blood Sugar to Rise?

Several factors can cause blood glucose to climb out of range, including:

• Skipping or mismanaging medication or insulin doses
• Eating large portions or high-carbohydrate meals
• Stress or illness
• Lack of physical activity
• Hormonal changes

Monitoring your blood sugar regularly and tracking trends over time can help you and your healthcare team pinpoint what’s triggering fluctuations.

How to Get Back on Track

If you suspect your diabetes is uncontrolled, don’t panic. The key is to take action early:

• Check your blood sugar as directed and log your readings.
• Meet with your endocrinologist to review your blood sugar readings and adjust your medication if needed.
• Revisit your nutrition plan and focus on balanced, portion-controlled meals.

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology and discover how our diabetes services and other endocrinology therapies can help you lead a full and active life, please contact us at (512) 458-8400 or request an appointment online. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check back with us each month as we provide you with helpful wellness and health information.