7 Surprising Things That Can Affect Your Glucose Levels
Managing diabetes can often feel unpredictable. You’re in a routine and feel like you’re doing all the right things, but glucose levels are still sitting above your target range.
This could be because there are over 40 common factors that can affect glucose levels, many of which are outside of our control.
In this article, we have narrowed it down to 7 surprising factors that can affect glucose levels, which you may not have considered.
Stress and anxiety
Emotional stress triggers the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones increase insulin resistance and tell the liver to release more glucose into the bloodstream. This response is essentially preparing your body for a state of "fight of flight".
Poor quality sleep
Sleepless nights or broken sleep can reduce your body's sensitivity to insulin, which leads to higher glucose levels. It can also disrupt the hormones that regulate your appetite and stress, which could affect your eating habits. Sleep apnoea is also known to increase insulin resistance and therefore glucose levels.
Pain
Just like stress and poor quality sleep, pain can trigger the release of cortisol and adrenaline, causing glucose levels to rise. This can include short term pain from things like migraines, injury, or an arthritis flare up as well as chronic pain.
Menstrual cycle and hormonal changes
Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, puberty, pregnancy and menopause can increase insulin resistance and baseline glucose levels.
Certain medications
Some medications, particularly steroids, can increase glucose levels by increasing insulin resistance and the release of stored glucose from the liver. Other medications that may have an effect are some antipsychotics, asthma medications and hormonal treatments. If you are experiencing unexplained, above target glucose levels and are on any of these medications, discuss strategies to manage this with your health care team.
Dental problems
Gum disease, tooth infections, and dental procedures can trigger stress and inflammatory responses causing glucose levels to rise. Glucose levels may increase before you are aware of a dental problem. Make sure you have a dental checkup at least once or twice a year as part of your annual cycle of care.
Injection sites (for people using insulin)
Repeatedly injecting insulin into the same area and/or reusing needles can cause scar tissue or areas of lipohypertrophy (fatty lumps under the skin). Continuing to inject into these areas can affect how insulin is absorbed, which can lead to unexpected, above target glucose levels despite taking your usual insulin dose.
See more from DiaTribe for a more extensive list of factors that impact your blood glucose levels.
Sammie Lyne
Accredited Practising Dietitian
Sammie is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with over seven years of diverse experience across a range of healthcare settings. Her career began in private practice before joining a telephone coaching service at St Vincent’s Hospital, supporting individuals to reduce their risk of heart disease and diabetes through sustainable lifestyle changes.
