What Affects Blood Sugar Levels

Food, exercise and medication all affect blood sugar levels

Getting blood glucose levels right can prove to be difficult at times. Just when you think you've factored everything in, a high or low blood glucose level can arrive out of nowhere and really throw your confidence.

These things happen to everyone with diabetes.

Factoring in food, activity and medication

You’ll no doubt be aware that food, activity and the medication you take play a significant role in your blood sugar levels but there can be a number of other variables at work at the same time.

What can affect my blood sugar levels?

Get an idea of the things that can lead to surprising sugar levels using the list below.

• Some people’s sugar levels can initially go up after a short burst of activity
• Activity can affect insulin sensitivity for up to 48 hours - which can lead to lower blood sugars over this time
• Not doing activity on a day in which you usually would, may lead to higher blood sugars that day
• Proteins affect sugar levels as well as carbohydrates, but to less of an extent and more slowly than carbs
• Alcohol can affect sugar levels for up to several hours after stopping drinking
• Stress and illness can also significantly affect sugar levels
• Your insulin may get absorbed faster in different parts of your body
• If you exercise a muscle near where you last injected, it could cause your insulin to be absorbed more quickly
• Injecting into lumpy skin affects how insulin is absorbed
• Other medications you take may also affect your sugar levels
• For women, your menstrual cycle can influence your levels
• If you suffer from gastroparesis, delayed emptying of the stomach, this can also lead to less predictable sugar levels
• Missing out on a medication dose or injecting at irregular times can also lead to fluctuating sugar levels