What condition is characterized by high blood sugar levels?

The condition characterized by high blood sugar levels is hyperglycemia. This term specifically refers to an excess of glucose in the bloodstream, which can occur when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

While diabetes mellitus is a broader term that encompasses various types of diabetes, including type 1 and type 2, it is defined by the persistent state of hyperglycemia over time. Hyperglycemia is a key feature of diabetes but can occur in other situations as well.

Insulin resistance refers to a condition where the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels, but it is not synonymous with hyperglycemia itself. Hypoglycemia, on the other hand, is the condition of having abnormally low blood sugar levels, opposite to hyperglycemia. Thus, hyperglycemia is the most direct and accurate term that defines the state of elevated blood sugar levels.