It's been over a year since I was diagnosed with diabetes. With the help of medication (glipizide), my glucose has been fairly well controlled (80-120) throughout the day. Last week I went for my periodic A1C test at the lab, and at the same time continued to monitor my reading on my own. When I woke up, it was around 110. I drove 20 minutes to the lab, and right before I went in, it was 125. Within 10 minutes, they took my blood and I was back at my car - it jumped to 160. (BTW this was before taking my morning medication, and no food for 12 hours). Could this sudden jump be a result of me feeling a little nervous at the lab? I'm always nervous about going in for lab test.
Update:Thanks for all the answers - the reason I checked my level so often on this particular day is because my doctor relies heavily on this result to adjust my dosage, and I'm worried that he would increase it despite me having mostly good numbers at most other times. Also, if this is indeed "dawn phenomenon," wouldn't this always be a problem because I'm always asked to fast 12-14 hours before blood test?
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Stress WILL cause an instantaneous rise in blood sugar.
Do you remember the old "Flight or Flight Symdrome" from high school? Someone sneaks up behind you and yells, "BOO!". Do you run away, or stay and fight? Either way, Your body sends out Adrenalin to give you some extra energy toi either fight off the attack, or run away from it. Adrenalin itself is NOT the extra energy. What it does is cause your liver to DUMP some extra sugar, which was stored in the liver for just such purpose.
So, you get a little estressed out about taking blood tests. So what -- everyone does. Even me, and I've had more needles poked in me that a porcupine has quills!
but stress WILL raise your blood sugar! In fact, the SAME THING happens to many people as they drive to work, Just getting ready to "face the day" is enough to put an extra 50 points on MY blood sugar. Not that the job is stressful, it's just that I've got a job to do, and my body responds by giving me more energy.
The SECRET is that your blood sugar drops back down to normal in a couple of hours. Adrenalin ALSO causes a shot of insulin to be squeezed from your pancreas, and this should counter the rise in blood sugar.
If your reading is OK after 3 hours, then don't worry about it. In fact, STOP taking so many readings -- its just confusing you. Stick to the before-meals-and-before-bed routine (or what ever your doctor has recommended) and DO NOT take readings at any other tiem.
[if your reading is NOT ok in 4 hours , make a note and ask your doctor at your next appointment.]
While stress does raise glucose levels, it wouldn't be that quick a rise!!
Rather I think you were doing a Dawn Phenomenon! Whenn you don't eat on the proper schedule, and fasting for the 8 or more hours is off the schedule!, the liver decides that the body is starving and sends out the signal to dump a load of stored glucose out to prevent starvation!! Of course, this will raise glucose like you experienced!
Bet you don't check your glucose that often normally!! I have, and it is sort of scarey!!
Note: I do take my insulin and oral meds on the hour as required even when I am going to the labs for blood draw!! I do my testing, take my meds, drive an hour and half to the lab, have the blood drawn, then drive the hour and half back home to eat breakfast! or brunch or lunch or whatever one might call it by that hour!! I am usually about to crash hard by the time I get back home!! Eating out is not an option at our income!!
Yes stress can make it jump up!
I am always having that problem Stress dances my sugars around.
my morning sugars are always high no matter what I do even fasting, but my a1c are good.
Good Luck and relax!
Any sort of stress can raise your blood glucose. Anxiety, illness, fear... you name it. The body's "fight or flight" response converts stored glycogen into glucose in anticipation of whatever sort of activity you might encounter. Whether it be punching the doctor in the nose, or whatever. Here's a summary of what happens: http://staroversky.com/psychology/fight-or-flight-...