Glucose spikes during and/or after sauna

Mac Dabrowski · Jun 21, 2023

Has anyone experienced glucose spikes after going to sauna? From what I have read, it can happen due to cortisol, similarly as in the case of some exercises. The spikes I experience are quite high, e.g. can jump from 6 to 12 or so and it returns rather slowly. I wonder if there is anyone experienced with sauna here. I know that glucose spikes are not healthy but I feel that it helps to maintain goo levels in longterm and I also feel much better if I do sauna regularly, 2-3 times a week.

MommaE · Jun 21, 2023

Mac Dabrowski said:
Has anyone experienced glucose spikes after going to sauna? From what I have read, it can happen due to cortisol, similarly as in the case of some exercises. The spikes I experience are quite high, e.g. can jump from 6 to 12 or so and it returns rather slowly. I wonder if there is anyone experienced with sauna here. I know that glucose spikes are not healthy but I feel that it helps to maintain goo levels in longterm and I also feel much better if I do sauna regularly, 2-3 times a week.

Yes, I agree, love the sauna but it makes my blood glucose rise, and often quite dramatically.

ElenaP · Jun 21, 2023

Mac Dabrowski said:
Has anyone experienced glucose spikes after going to sauna? From what I have read, it can happen due to cortisol, similarly as in the case of some exercises. The spikes I experience are quite high, e.g. can jump from 6 to 12 or so and it returns rather slowly. I wonder if there is anyone experienced with sauna here. I know that glucose spikes are not healthy but I feel that it helps to maintain goo levels in longterm and I also feel much better if I do sauna regularly, 2-3 times a week.

I think it all depends on how long do you stay and how hot is the sauna. If you feel that the sauna is too hot, then stay on the lower steps. And is the sauna operated properly? In some saunas that I have been to in the UK, there is no facility to throw water on the stones to create steam.

carjam · Jun 22, 2023

I find it can spike aggressively but once out of the sauna I find it drops quite quickly as well. Might be because I usually exercise before going into the sauna but I would always be careful to correct any high from the sauna too quickly afterwards.

zleo · Jun 22, 2023

I think it is very important to be hydrated. You have to drink a lot of water and then the jump will be lower.

Deleted member 527103 · Jun 22, 2023

A couple of things
- make sure you test with finger pricks. A CGM can be affected by the heat.
- if you have Type 1, YouCan correct highs with a bolus.

Mr Tomnay · Jun 22, 2023

Mac Dabrowski said:
Has anyone experienced glucose spikes after going to sauna? From what I have read, it can happen due to cortisol, similarly as in the case of some exercises. The spikes I experience are quite high, e.g. can jump from 6 to 12 or so and it returns rather slowly. I wonder if there is anyone experienced with sauna here. I know that glucose spikes are not healthy but I feel that it helps to maintain goo levels in longterm and I also feel much better if I do sauna regularly, 2-3 times a week.

I'm a regular sauna user and haven't experienced this (but will now pay more attention).

That could be because I use it after gym exercise, so maybe the glucose reduction caused by exercise is compensated for by the 'spike'?

However, heat makes my actrapid insulin work faster, so saunas should LOWER my glucose levels (which it sometimes does).

EBee · Jun 22, 2023

Mac Dabrowski said:
Has anyone experienced glucose spikes after going to sauna? From what I have read, it can happen due to cortisol, similarly as in the case of some exercises. The spikes I experience are quite high, e.g. can jump from 6 to 12 or so and it returns rather slowly. I wonder if there is anyone experienced with sauna here. I know that glucose spikes are not healthy but I feel that it helps to maintain goo levels in longterm and I also feel much better if I do sauna regularly, 2-3 times a week.

My BG is all over the place just with the hot weather so I would presume that would be the same with the heat from the sauna

sgrandhi · Jun 22, 2023

Mac Dabrowski said:
Has anyone experienced glucose spikes after going to sauna? From what I have read, it can happen due to cortisol, similarly as in the case of some exercises. The spikes I experience are quite high, e.g. can jump from 6 to 12 or so and it returns rather slowly. I wonder if there is anyone experienced with sauna here. I know that glucose spikes are not healthy but I feel that it helps to maintain goo levels in longterm and I also feel much better if I do sauna regularly, 2-3 times a week.

I get a glucose spike everytime I take a hot bath in the shower. The glucose level drops back down farily quickly.

Zilsniggy · Jun 22, 2023

Mac Dabrowski said:
Has anyone experienced glucose spikes after going to sauna? From what I have read, it can happen due to cortisol, similarly as in the case of some exercises. The spikes I experience are quite high, e.g. can jump from 6 to 12 or so and it returns rather slowly. I wonder if there is anyone experienced with sauna here. I know that glucose spikes are not healthy but I feel that it helps to maintain goo levels in longterm and I also feel much better if I do sauna regularly, 2-3 times a week.

Probably why saunas aren’t recommended for those of us with diabetes…….

LindiePops · Jun 22, 2023

Mac Dabrowski said:
Has anyone experienced glucose spikes after going to sauna? From what I have read, it can happen due to cortisol, similarly as in the case of some exercises. The spikes I experience are quite high, e.g. can jump from 6 to 12 or so and it returns rather slowly. I wonder if there is anyone experienced with sauna here. I know that glucose spikes are not healthy but I feel that it helps to maintain goo levels in longterm and I also feel much better if I do sauna regularly, 2-3 times a week.

I'm the exact same if I have a shower, it doesn't matter what time of the day or night that I have it

Daniel J williams · Jun 22, 2023

Mac Dabrowski said:
Has anyone experienced glucose spikes after going to sauna? From what I have read, it can happen due to cortisol, similarly as in the case of some exercises. The spikes I experience are quite high, e.g. can jump from 6 to 12 or so and it returns rather slowly. I wonder if there is anyone experienced with sauna here. I know that glucose spikes are not healthy but I feel that it helps to maintain goo levels in longterm and I also feel much better if I do sauna regularly, 2-3 times a week.

Hello, I swim about a mile (70 lengths) twice weekly and use the sauna + steam room and have not experienced in my BM’s reading any spikes but did have a Hypo due to over exercising. The New wonder Inj now is a great help to me as I was on other medication which caused mobility plus weight gain.

iwhoadmin · Jun 22, 2023

sgrandhi said:
I get a glucose spike everytime I take a hot bath in the shower. The glucose level drops back down farily quickly.

I also experience the shower rise, I avoid hot tubs and sauna's these days

Glucose spikes during and/or after sauna

Mac Dabrowski

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Glucose spikes during and/or after sauna

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