Why Is My Blood Sugar High in the Morning? Causes and Treatment Tips

High blood sugar in the morning can be caused by various factors, including physiological processes, lifestyle behaviors, and preexisting health issues. Some of the most common reasons for blood sugar spikes in the morning include the dawn phenomenon, the Somogyi effect, and late-night eating.

Understanding these factors and how to manage them will help you maintain good blood sugar levels and general health.

Why Does Blood Sugar Spike In The Morning?

High morning blood sugar can be caused by several factors, including:

The Dawn Phenomenon

The dawn phenomenon, also known as the dawn effect, happens when the body secretes chemicals including cortisol and growth hormone in the early morning hours. These hormones can stimulate the liver to release glucose into the circulation, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels. High blood glucose levels in the morning impact nearly half of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

This normal surge in blood sugar usually occurs between about 3 a.m. and eight a.m. This might be more noticeable in those with diabetes.

The Somogyi Effect

The Somogyi effect, also known as rebound hyperglycemia, is one of several potential reasons for elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia) among diabetics in the morning. It occurs in reaction to low blood sugar at night. If blood sugar falls too low during sleeping, the body may produce counter-regulatory hormones to raise glucose levels.

This overcompensation might cause elevated blood sugar in the morning. This impact is more prevalent in those who use insulin or other glucose-lowering drugs.

Low Insulin Levels at Night

Insufficient insulin levels overnight can cause increased morning blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes. If the insulin dose administered before bed is insufficient to keep blood sugar under control during the night, glucose levels may increase in the morning.

Administering enough insulin before bed is crucial in endocrine practice and health care to prevent this rise. Conversely, administering too much insulin can lead to low blood sugar levels overnight, so finding the right balance is essential.

Utilizing an insulin pump can help manage insulin delivery more precisely, reducing the risk of fluctuating glucose levels.

Late Night Eating

Consuming substantial or high-carbohydrate meals late at night might cause elevated blood sugar levels in the morning. The body’s capacity to control glucose reduces during sleeping, making it more difficult to keep blood sugar levels consistent after a late-night meal.

Symptoms of High Blood Sugar in the Morning

High blood sugar levels in the morning might cause a variety of symptoms. Recognizing these symptoms early on is critical for successful treatment and intervention. Symptoms include:

Frequent Urination: Elevated blood glucose levels can cause excessive urination as the body seeks to remove excess sugar via urine.

Increased Thirst: High blood sugar levels can induce dehydration, leaving you feeling extremely thirsty.

Fatigue: High morning blood sugar levels can cause sensations of exhaustion or fatigue because the body struggles to digest glucose properly.

Blurry Vision: Elevated glucose levels may disturb the fluid equilibrium in the eyes, causing temporary blurred vision.

Headaches: Chronic high blood sugar can cause headaches owing to changes in blood volume and pressure.

Dry Mouth: High glucose levels can induce dehydration in the mouth, leaving it feeling parched.

Unexplained Weight Loss: In rare circumstances, elevated blood sugar levels can induce weight loss despite increased hunger.

Excess hyperglycemia in the blood can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, such as nausea or vomiting.

If you have these symptoms regularly, you should regularly monitor your blood sugar levels and talk with a healthcare practitioner to change your treatment plan as needed.

What Are Normal and High Morning Blood Sugar Levels?

Normal Morning Blood Sugar Levels

For those without diabetes, normal fasting blood sugar levels following an overnight fast vary between 70 and 100 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.6 mmol/L). People with diabetes may have a somewhat greater target range, often between 80 and 130 mg/dL (4.4 to 7.2 mmol/L), based on their specific health objectives and healthcare experts’ recommendations.

High Morning Blood Sugar Levels

High morning blood sugar levels or hyperglycemia are often characterized as fasting blood sugar levels that exceed the usual range. For diabetics, this might indicate readings higher than 130 mg/dL (7.2 mmol/L). Persistently high morning blood sugar levels may suggest that existing treatment tactics require modification.

What Units Are Used for Measuring Blood Sugar Levels?

Blood sugar levels are typically measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) in the United States and millimoles per liter (mmol/L) in most other countries. It is important to understand these units and how to convert between them:

• 1 mg/dL = 0.0555 mmol/L
• 1 mmol/L = 18 mg/dL

Effects of High Morning Blood Sugar

Consistently high morning blood sugar levels can lead to several short-term and long-term health issues, including:

• Short-term Effects:
  • Fatigue
  • Increased thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Blurred vision
• Long-term Effects:
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Nerve damage (neuropathy)
  • Kidney disease (nephropathy)
  • Vision problems (retinopathy)

How Blood Sugar Testing

Regular blood sugar monitoring is essential for treating diabetes and maintaining stable glucose levels. Testing may be done using many ways, such as:

• Fingerstick Blood Test: Using a glucose meter, a little drop of blood from a fingerstick is put on a test strip to determine blood sugar levels.
• Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM): Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) uses a sensor inserted beneath the skin to detect glucose levels, giving real-time data and warnings for high or low blood sugar levels.
• A1C Test: This blood test evaluates the average blood sugar levels over the previous 2-3 months, providing a long-term picture of blood sugar management.

How to Lower High Morning Blood Sugar

Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels involves a combination of lifestyle modifications, medication management, and regular monitoring. Here are some methods to help lower high morning blood sugars:

Adjusting Medication

Consulting with a doctor to modify your insulin or medicine regimen can assist regulate blood sugar levels overnight. For example, switching to long-acting insulin or altering the schedule and dose of your existing insulin can have a big impact. Research released in 2013 discovered that insulin glargine, a long-acting insulin, successfully lowered fasting blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Avoid Late-Night Eating

Eating large or high-carbohydrate meals late at night might cause higher morning blood sugar levels. A 2018 study found that late-night snacking was connected with increased fasting glucose levels in persons with type 2 diabetes.

Choose Complex Carbohydrates

Choosing complex carbs with a low glycemic index (GI) can help keep blood sugar levels constant. Low-GI meals digest and absorb glucose more slowly, resulting in a steady rise in blood sugar rather than a sudden surge. Low-GI foods include healthy grains like oats and quinoa, legumes like beans and lentils, and non-starchy veggies like broccoli and spinach.

A 2008 study found that low-GI foods improved glycemic management in diabetics. The study found that participants who ate a low-GI diet had better overall blood sugar control than those who ate a high-GI diet. This study emphasizes the necessity of including low-GI items in your diet to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Incorporating these foods into your regular diet can also aid with weight control, which is critical for diabetics and those at risk. Maintaining a healthy weight can boost insulin sensitivity, resulting in better blood sugar management.

Balanced Meals

Eating balanced meals with a mix of macronutrients is critical for decreasing glucose absorption and avoiding blood sugar rises. Here’s how each macronutrient functions:

Protein: Protein has little influence on blood sugar levels and might keep you feeling fuller for longer. Include lean meats, fish, eggs, tofu, and beans.

Healthy Fats: Healthy fat can also assist in regulating blood sugar by delaying the digestion of carbs. Incorporate avocados, almonds, seeds, and olive oil into your meals. Research released in 2016 discovered that diets high in healthy fats improved glycemic control in those with type 2 diabetes.

Fiber: Fiber, particularly soluble fiber, delays the digestion and absorption of carbs, resulting in a more gradual rise in blood sugar. Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes are examples of foods high in fiber. A 2013 study discovered that greater fiber consumption was linked to better glycemic control and a lower risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes.

Regular Exercise

Regular physical activity increases insulin sensitivity and lowers blood sugar levels. The American Diabetes Association advises a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. Walking, cycling, and swimming are all good ways to exercise.

Morning exercise might be very useful. A 2017 study discovered that morning exercise increased insulin sensitivity and blood sugar management throughout the day.

Stress Management

Stress can raise blood sugar levels owing to the production of stress hormones such as cortisol. Mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing techniques are all effective ways to reduce stress and enhance blood sugar management. A 2014 study found that stress management programs significantly lowered fasting blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Consistent Sleep Schedule

Maintaining a consistent sleep pattern can help balance hormones and improve blood sugar management. Aim for 7-9 hours of decent sleep per night. According to a study published in 2011, poor sleep quality and short sleep duration are linked to increased fasting glucose levels.

Hydration

Staying hydrated allows the kidneys to flush away extra glucose through urine. Aim to drink lots of water all day. A 2011 study indicated that people who drank more water were less likely to develop hyperglycemia.

Consider a Bedtime Snack

A short, protein-rich snack before bed can help avoid low blood sugar during the night, lowering the chance of rebound hyperglycemia (the Somogyi effect) in the morning. A 2003 study discovered that a nighttime snack improved overnight blood glucose control in persons with type 1 diabetes.

Medical Treatment

Several medications can help lower high blood sugar levels in the morning:

Metformin

• Metformin is typically the first medication prescribed for type 2 diabetes. It works by reducing glucose production in the liver and improving the body’s sensitivity to insulin.
• Taking metformin can help lower both fasting and post-meal blood sugar levels. The extended-release version of metformin is usually taken at bedtime to have the greatest effect on morning blood glucose.
• Metformin does not cause hypoglycemia. Common side effects include digestive issues like diarrhea and nausea.

Sulfonylureas

• Sulfonylureas are oral medications that increase insulin secretion from the pancreas. Examples include glipizide and glyburide.
• They lower blood sugar by stimulating the beta cells in the pancreas to release more insulin. This helps reduce fasting and post-meal glucose levels.
• Sulfonylureas carry a higher risk of hypoglycemia compared to other diabetes medications. Low blood sugar is a common side effect.

Insulin

Injected insulin may be prescribed along with oral medications or by itself for type 2 diabetes when blood sugars are very high due to insulin resistance. Long-acting insulins like glargine and detemir can help lower morning fasting blood sugars and morning blood sugar spikes when taken at bedtime.

Insulin helps lower blood glucose by directly providing the insulin the body needs. This improves both fasting and after-meal blood sugars, which is essential for those with consistently high blood sugar. Low blood sugar is the most common side effect. Weight gain can also occur with basal insulin use.

When to Contact a Doctor

It is important to contact a healthcare provider if:

• You consistently experience high morning blood sugars despite making lifestyle and medication adjustments.
• You have symptoms of high blood sugar, such as increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, or blurred vision.
• You experience low blood sugar episodes at night, which may indicate the Somogyi effect.
• You are unsure about how to adjust your insulin or diabetes medications.

FAQ

Why my blood sugar is higher in the morning and normal throughout the day?

The dawn phenomenon, also known as the Somogyi effect, is frequently associated with high blood sugar in the morning but normal levels during the day. These disorders cause blood sugar levels to rise in the early morning hours as a result of hormonal changes or a recovery from low blood sugar overnight.

When is the best time to check blood sugar in the morning?

The best time to check blood sugar in the morning is shortly after waking up, before eating or drinking anything. This fasting blood sugar level shows how successfully your body controls blood sugar levels overnight.

Can you have high blood sugar in the morning and not be diabetic?

Yes, you can have high morning blood sugar without being diabetic. This condition, known as prediabetes, occurs when blood sugar levels are high but not yet diabetic. Monitoring and managing these levels is crucial.

Can you have the dawn effect without diabetes?

Yes, even those without diabetes can experience the morning effect. Hormonal changes can cause a normal spike in blood sugar, but the body usually manages this well, preventing significant hyperglycemia.

Conclusion

High morning glucose levels can be a difficult problem for diabetics. Understanding the reasons, such as the dawn phenomena and the Somogyi effect, as well as the normal and elevated levels, is critical for optimal diabetes therapy. Regular blood sugar testing, lifestyle modifications, and medication adjustments can all help reduce high morning blood sugar levels. If you have persistently high blood sugar levels, you should contact your healthcare professional to assess and change your treatment options.

By keeping aware and proactive, you may control your morning blood sugar levels and improve your overall health, thereby reducing the risk of long-term complications.

Remember that maintaining morning blood sugar levels includes not just looking at your numbers, but also prioritizing a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, physical activity, and consistent sleep patterns, as well as avoiding stress.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430893/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551525/

If you enjoyed this article, you may also want to read this article on Can Diabetes Cause Hair Loss? Here’s What You Should Know.

*This information is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical or dietary advice tailored to individual needs.