What are the reasons for blood sugar fluctuation?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 50-year-old female. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes two years ago. I have fluctuations in my blood sugar levels sometimes. I do not know why this occurs because I follow a strict diet with a limited intake of food. I also do regular exercise and walking. I also take my medications regularly. Why do I face these fluctuations in my blood sugar? Is it a normal phenomenon seen in type 2 diabetes patients? Sometimes, my blood sugar remains within a normal range before and after eating. Sometimes, it becomes high. Why do I face this issue? Please help. Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Several factors can influence fluctuations, even when you are following a healthy lifestyle. And they include:

Physical or emotional stress can cause your body to release hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can raise blood sugar levels. The way your body digests and absorbs food can vary from day to day, including fiber content, meal timing, or how quickly certain foods are digested or can affect blood sugar levels.
High-fat or high-protein meals can sometimes cause delayed spikes in blood sugar levels hours after eating, which may explain why your post-meal sugars are sometimes higher than expected.
Some medications, like Metformin (anti-diabetic medications), work best when taken with meals, while others need to be taken on an empty stomach.
Changes in absorption due to digestive issues or medications taken at slightly different times may cause variability in your blood sugar levels.
For some people, exercise can cause lower blood sugar, while for others, intense exercise might actually cause a temporary increase in blood sugar due to the release of stress hormones like adrenaline.
Poor or inconsistent sleep can also affect blood sugar control. It can make it harder for your body to regulate blood sugar and may cause fluctuations. Lack of sleep can affect insulin sensitivity and stress hormone levels.
Even if you are sticking to a healthy diet, small variations in portion size or unaccounted carbohydrates in sauces, dressings, or snacks can affect your blood sugar.

In the Dawn phenomenon, blood sugar levels rise in the early morning hours due to the release of hormones like cortisol. Alternatively, if your blood sugar drops too low overnight, causing your body to trigger the Somogyi effect as a rebound increase in blood sugar.Your body's sensitivity to insulin can vary due to the following.

Illness,stress, hormonal changes (especially for women), or even the time of day.
Tracking your blood sugar levels closely and looking for patterns.
Continuous glucose monitoring.
Periodic physical examination by a doctor in a hospital is a must.

I hope this information will help you.

Thank you.