Why Is Blood Sugar High in the Morning?

Q. Why does my blood sugar go up in the morning when I've eaten right and taken my medicines?

A. You don't mention how high your blood glucose levels are rising. But blood glucose will increase after eating, even if you "eat right."

The main thing that affects fasting blood glucose is the amount of glucose that the liver releases during the night. In type 2 diabetes, the liver tends to release too much glucose during sleeping hours. The body cannot process all that glucose properly because there isn't enough insulin, and the body resists the action of the insulin that is present. Insulin resistance tends to be more of a factor in the morning. So morning blood glucose levels are often too high.

Some people with type 1 have high blood glucose levels in the early morning because of the dawn phenomenon, in which the release of hormones contributes to elevated levels. Or glucose levels may rebound from overnight episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).

Keep testing your blood glucose two hours after your first bite of breakfast and write down what you eat. Then share the results with your health-care provider so you can adjust medication or your meal plan.

Virginia Zamudio Lange, a member of Diabetic Living's editorial advisory board, is a founding partner of Alamo Diabetes Team, LLP in San Antonio.

Comments

Comments (11)

anonymous wrote:

yrrej wrote: Ihave gastroparesis, my stomach doesn't empty until 3 hours so I take my sugar 3 hrs. after I eat . I have type 2 diabetes and have had it for 10 years. I also have reflux with chronic gastris plus I .am lactose intolerant. So far I fell blessed though ,because I have kept my A1C 6.3 last time 5.9 I take 1/2mg amaryl p.m.

8/12/2010 11:06:11 PM Report Abuse

anonymous wrote:

I am on the insulin pump and have adjusted my basal rate and, I still have alot of high blood sugars 200-450. This makes it very hard to work and daily activities. if anyone has any advice, I am open for it.

5/17/2010 06:55:25 AM Report Abuse

ckaiser06 wrote:

ooops me again...it goes down after the glypizide but then right back up if i eat ...

5/11/2010 02:26:11 PM Report Abuse

anonymous wrote:

caffeine can spike your blood sugar, unless you used decaf. The coffeemate powder may have some carbs in it that will affect your sugars. I have the problem where if I don't eat breakfast right away when I get up in the morning, my liver kicks out a bunch of glucose to prepare for the day and shoots it up when you haven't eaten yet. You might have the same issue.

1/20/2010 09:05:58 AM Report Abuse

pugmahorn wrote:

i too take 1000 mg of metformin,500 first thing in the morning & I have a cup of coffee. then i take a 2mile walk. then have breakfast. at 2 hrs later I take my blood sugar . the lowest ive been since my dianoses is 140.i started at 327 so im doing pretty well . my advice is what my doctor says .start walking and lose weight . its critical. good luck

12/18/2009 03:50:02 PM Report Abuse