Glucose spikes during and/or after sauna

Mac Dabrowski

Member
Messages
21
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
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

Well-Known Member
Messages
511
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
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

Well-Known Member
Messages
518
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
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

Newbie
Messages
1
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

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
I think it is very important to be hydrated. You have to drink a lot of water and then the jump will be lower.
 
D

Deleted member 527103

Guest
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

Newbie
Messages
1
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

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
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

Newbie
Messages
1
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

Well-Known Member
Messages
430
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
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

Well-Known Member
Messages
72
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
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
 
Messages
1
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.