Flu and BG

[Mark Rawlinson]

I had the Flu jab on weds but for 3 days after my blood sugars have been higher than usual particular in first thing (fasting) and evening. Is this common ? I have not changed any of my routine otherwise

 

[SimonP78]

Yes, this is quite normal - illness/reaction to vaccines will produce stress hormones which will cause your liver to produce more glucose from stored glycogen.

Confusingly, as with all things diabetes-related, you (or at least I) can alternatively run low - I tend to run low the day before I come down with something (and seem to remember running low for a few days after having had my flu jab last year), so if I don't have any other reason to point at this is sometimes a useful indication that I won't feel great the next day (though perhaps I'd prefer to not know!)

I don't know why I tend to run low, I assume my body is doing something useful in preparation that requires glucose but that the stress hormones have not yet built up enough to start the liver producing glucose. Perhaps I'm just weird

 

[Antje77]

Yes, very common.

 

[Mark Rawlinson]

Thank you both
Rather pleased to hear these answers

 

[Jaylee]

Hi,

It can sometime affect my BGs for a short while.
It’s just the immune system going on a “training exercise” in readiness for if or when the real threat comes?

Why vaccination is important and the safest way to protect yourself

Find out how vaccines work, what they contain and the most common side effects.

www.nhs.uk

 

[LittleGreyCat]

Strangely, my BG has been up but not desperately high after Flu and Covid one each arm.
Things I expected to spike me didn't.
However I didn't go as low as usual either.
All very strange.