Insulin and oral steroids

[Circuspony]

I've just been put on 3 days of oral steroids because my hayfever is so severe my breathing is compromised.

First time the GP has done this since I was diagnosed 6 years ago with T1.

Any idea how much they generally push up BG levels? They told me just to keep an eye on them but mine are pretty erratic anyway

 

[Ellington]

Hi, The steroids affect the way insulin works; it does still work but you'll need more of it. Just keep scanning and adjusting your insulin accordingly.
You'll be able to cope with 3 days easily enough; I've been on high levels of steroids for a 2nd autoimmune condition for 9 months. I scan 30 times a day and inject about 9 times.
It will be so very much easier to manage if you don't eat any carbs; for 3 days just live on protein and veggies. Your blood sugar will still go up but later, and not by as much.

 

[Circuspony]

After two days I can answer my own question - erratic and exceptionally high. Even without food

 

[MommaE]

I've just been put on 3 days of oral steroids because my hayfever is so severe my breathing is compromised.

First time the GP has done this since I was diagnosed 6 years ago with T1.

Any idea how much they generally push up BG levels? They told me just to keep an eye on them but mine are pretty erratic anyway

I had to take additional steroids when I had Covid. My experience was that my blood sugars were higher than normal even when eating even lower carb than normal. Likely due to both the Covid and steroids I expect. It lasted a few weeks after finishing the additional steroids. My suggestion is to keep regular contact with your physician re steroid doses. Not something you should try to alter or manage yourself. Hope you are soon breathing easier, sounds scary.

 

[IBEX82]

After two days I can answer my own question - erratic and exceptionally high. Even without food

Although not type 1, I’ve been on steroids for 4 years, at varying doses.

The result is always the same. Steroid in the am, with an hour BG rises, keeps rising, hits it’s highest around 12/1pm then stays there until around 3-4pm, then gradually starts to decline and numbers around 6/7 come midnight before bed.

It doesn’t alter for low carb or fasting for me unless the steroid dose is super low

 

[Marie 2]

I know a few people that said sometimes it takes two weeks to settle back down. I seem particularly sensitive as even a 5 mg pill used to put me over 16 (300) without eating. This last time I had to take 5 mg for 10 days, I was just easily boosted to very stubborn 9's and 10's even with extra insulin. One thing it does to me is a few days after I've stopped, I suddenly will drop and don't need all that extra insulin. I can never tell when that exactly is going to happen.

There is just no set answer as we all can vary.

 

[Circuspony]

Although not type 1, I’ve been on steroids for 4 years, at varying doses.

The result is always the same. Steroid in the am, with an hour BG rises, keeps rising, hits it’s highest around 12/1pm then stays there until around 3-4pm, then gradually starts to decline and numbers around 6/7 come midnight before bed.

It doesn’t alter for low carb or fasting for me unless the steroid dose is super low

I found low carb or fasting (unintentional - I was busy) made no difference at all. I had a weird woozy feeling, checked bloods and was rocking a 25. Haven't seen a figure that high for a very long time.

Not sure they made that much difference to the allergy either, but I'm grateful to the GP for trying!

 

[jalu47]

I’m taking steroids for 3 days every week following a chemotherapy dose. It’s sending my sugars very high but my long acting insulin dose has been almost doubled and that’s helping a lot - do have to be careful with my rapid though as have then gone low overnight! I’m managing but the constant changing of doses is very difficult - a couple of months of this to go..