Can Some Medications Raise Blood Glucose?

Q: Can certain non-diabetes medicines cause blood glucose to rise? My fasting blood glucose at the doctor's office was 190. At home, it was 130. I didn't eat anything before my visit, and I only took aspirin and my blood pressure medicine. My fasting numbers at home average 120.

A: Aspirin doesn't cause blood glucose levels to rise, and neither do most blood pressure medicines. One category of blood pressure medicines, thiazide diuretics, may cause a small rise in blood glucose.

Reasons for the variations in your blood glucose readings at home and at your doctor's office could be:

Feeling stressed prior to and when visiting your doctor. Stress can make blood glucose levels rise.
The reading done in your doctor's office might have been taken from your arm and analyzed by the lab. Laboratory blood glucose readings are the most accurate. Results from your blood glucose meter may not match the value obtained by the lab. Next time, check your meter reading against the lab's or the doctor's office meter. When the technician takes your blood, check with your meter.

Madhu Gadia, M.S., R.D., CDE, is a dietitian and certified diabetes educator.

Answer reviewed July 2010

Comments

Comments (12)

csjackson2 wrote:

I have lost over 50 lbs. in the last several months with exercise and low-carb eating. I have gone from taking about 20 units of Humalog each day and 48 units of Lantus to taking NO INSULIN AT ALL. In last week or so have started taking estradiol and netoprolol. Blood sugars are running higher--from 100-120 fasting to 130's and before supper from 100-120 to 140's. I still exercise and watch what I eat. Could these meds have an effect on blood sugar levels?

8/1/2010 07:18:06 PM Report Abuse

anonymous wrote:

I am alergic to sulfur drugs and am wondering what the best meds might be for controling my BS. My fasting numbers are running over 200, yet am taking Metformin and Januvia. So many of the drugs cause weight gain, and I already need to control my weight.

6/22/2010 11:56:41 PM Report Abuse

gabriele.kapeller wrote:

There are two different way of measuring the glucose in the USA and Canada. I have a Canadian "one Touch" and measures: 5.3 etc. which is about 105 in US. What is the exact multiplier for this type of measuring? Thanks

4/20/2010 08:05:50 AM Report Abuse

hawklilly1 wrote:

I am on rapamune would this have an effect on my bloon count?

4/13/2010 01:35:13 PM Report Abuse

ramiroaguirre wrote:

am pregnant going on six months and my glucose is sometimes 142 this is ths highest n fasting is this a big problem

2/23/2010 07:40:58 PM Report Abuse