Stress and elevated HBA1C

timbo_dolman said:

Have had the annual blood test results back today and quite a shock . Everything is absolutely fine, kidney, liver, cholesterol etc. But my HbA1c has gone through the roof from 50 to 75. I’ve never had it so high and I have kept to a relatively low carb diet and I’m very physically active. I run between 30 to 40 km a week. I did have a very traumatic end of March into April period where my parents were both ill and hospitalised and as an only child, I was supporting them and arranging support. Do you think this intense stress for the month period has elevated my HbA1c? I can’t think of any other reason as over 10 years I’ve never with no problems like this. Seeing the diabetic nurse of course in a couple of weeks to discuss but was looking for some opinions. Thx

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Yes stress, especially when it concerns close family, can affect your blood glucose levels.

Mental stress triggers the body's fight-or-flight response, which evolved to cope with physical danger. The resulting release of cortisol and adrenalin into the bloodstream raises blood glucose, which prepares the body to fight or flee.

Stressful situations are a normal part of life, but constant stress over several weeks will tend to make any medical disorder worse. Unfortunately, it's not easy to control. The best antidote is physical activity.

Well done for sticking to a low-carb lifestyle and making time to keep up your running routine.

In view of your annual blood test results, your diabetic nurse may want to repeat your HbA1c test in, say, 3 months time.

Yes stress can have an impact, but I'm more wondering if during that busy time perhaps you resorted to sandwiches, grabbed ready meals or takeaways more than usual. I probably would do!

You say "a relatively low carb diet". What does that mean to you?

We can't have nice stable glucose levels all the time. particularly when we end up in very stressful situations beyond our control. Your body is just doing its best to cope, and this will happen to everyone, diabetic or not, so please try not to worry too much over this one set of high results.

I've found in general that things like stress, pain, illness and some medications can affect my glucose levels more than my normal (low carb/ketogenic under 50g carbs a day style) diet. I don't get a big difference in my HbA1c results but I do see a definite pattern.

timbo_dolman said:

Have had the annual blood test results back today and quite a shock . Everything is absolutely fine, kidney, liver, cholesterol etc. But my HbA1c has gone through the roof from 50 to 75. I’ve never had it so high and I have kept to a relatively low carb diet and I’m very physically active. I run between 30 to 40 km a week. I did have a very traumatic end of March into April period where my parents were both ill and hospitalised and as an only child, I was supporting them and arranging support. Do you think this intense stress for the month period has elevated my HbA1c? I can’t think of any other reason as over 10 years I’ve never with no problems like this. Seeing the diabetic nurse of course in a couple of weeks to discuss but was looking for some opinions. Thx

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Another vote for stress, and yes.... While I did keep an eye on things while my mom was ill, I became very lax and considered myself off the wagon for about two months. My doc and I agreed it wasn't the time for a HbA1c, so it'll get done when I've returned to my regular programming for three months. So yeah, you're not the only one who gets thrown for a loop, you just happened to have a HbA1c done right in the thick of it. Get another one done when you're ready if possible, keep an eye on your bloodsugars in the meantime, and celebrate your parents recoveries and your own otherwise excellent results in the meantime! Life just happens sometimes and we have a blood sugar wobble when it happens. Doesn't mean it's forever! You've got this!
Hugs,
Jo

Hi,

I’m another one voting yes to stress.

As a T1, for the last 5 years or so I’ve seen the effects on a monitor graph?
Though a calm exterior, I’ve seen it when interacting in my previous job with an intense manager?
Oddly, driving can push me up too. (Works vehicles especially.) Which probably explains why even though I need to test before driving & 2 hours during, behind the wheel. I’ve only experienced 1 or 2 low events in all the years of actually driving..

Best wishes.

Yes; stress does it for me as well. I see it as protective in origin, though tricky in BG terms. Just the way some of us are.

Ditto for me also which has made it really difficult at times. I have been told a sledge hammer works, apparently it stops the higher readings

Grant_Vicat said:

Doesn't it stop the meter working?

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Unfortunately no

Jaylee said:

driving can push me up too.

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That happens with me too.

And yes definite vote of yes for stress.

I have seen stress causing spikes even when I was fasting for 60+ hours which many here would know I do fairly regularly.

Same when I am in meetings with difficult customers or when am talking to my dad.

Also seen that playing with Music(my dog) tends to calm me down and helps with lowering the BG so our furry friends do have a huge positive impact on our health.

nutribolt said:

That happens with me too.

And yes definite vote of yes for stress.

I have seen stress causing spikes even when I was fasting for 60+ hours which many here would know I do fairly regularly.

Same when I am in meetings with difficult customers or when am talking to my dad.

Also seen that playing with Music(my dog) tends to calm me down and helps with lowering the BG so our furry friends do have a huge positive impact on our health.

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Yep, you are a “CGM setup” using person. It’s more evident looking at the trends…

Lol, oddly. My manager (at the time.) was a decent bloke to me? Other employees had a different story.. (The eye stuff & D checks. He was cool.)
one morning (out of character.) I overslept? He’d chew others off for this even punish? But for me he was genuinely concerned about my safety? “I was just about to email you…” He said, as I set up a truthful apology. like I’d check my email upside down in a ditch…?
I found it more time saving to travel than take time out to make contact? (I don’t phone & drive.) Seems logical to me. Apologise & offer to make the time up later…
Others suggested, “I wouldn’t let him talk to me like that.” (In the heat of the job normally.)
I saw a walking heart attack due to his own stress? He did have some kind words for me when I left. However, lol. There is no way I would go back if the new job in his words “should the new one go belly up…”

I’d love to see a sensor trend on my ex boss..

We can’t always chose the situation we’re in. A certain amount f stress is healthy. (Makes me feel alive?) but the stress also needs a “resolution.” Like a roller coaster ride.. Just a “thrill.” (Prehistorically, early evolution, like surviving a predator..?) It’s unhealthy if long term. (We are not about to be eaten..) But that liver has a habit of getting us ready to run.. (or fight..)

nutribolt said:

That happens with me too.

And yes definite vote of yes for stress.

I have seen stress causing spikes even when I was fasting for 60+ hours which many here would know I do fairly regularly.

Same when I am in meetings with difficult customers or when am talking to my dad.

Also seen that playing with Music(my dog) tends to calm me down and helps with lowering the BG so our furry friends do have a huge positive impact on our health.

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I didn't have any heightened anxiety when we had our dog. Its been such a longtime since we had a pooch. Hopefully we will have furry friends again at some point in the future as I pine for them, chickens also are very affectionate and like cuddles