Do Steroids Raise Blood Sugar? Insulin Resistance, Steroid Diabetes & Risks

Steroids are certainly common today, both in medicine and in sports and performance enhancement. They are frequently used to treat inflammation and also to promote muscle development. However, there is one thing that most people overlook: their effect on blood sugar levels.

It becomes interesting to know how steroids, whether corticosteroids or anabolic steroids, influence glucose metabolism. This is a natural reaction of the body to spike blood sugar levels when using steroids. Excess exposure to steroids may lead to:

• Insulin resistance

• Metabolic impairment 

• Possibly even diabetes

Let's take a closer look at how steroids impact blood sugar, the causes of insulin resistance, the individuals most vulnerable to this issue, and the measures that can be taken to limit possible adverse effects.

What Is The Body’s Natural Blood Sugar Regulating System?

Before you understand what steroids do, it's useful to know exactly how blood sugar is regulated. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, allows glucose to enter cells from the blood. Proper insulin levels regulate your blood sugar. Several organs play a role in this process:

• The pancreas produces insulin

• The liver is responsible for storage and release of glucose

• Muscles burn glucose for energy

• Fat tissue affects insulin sensitivity

If this equilibrium is disturbed, blood sugar levels increase, thereby setting in motion the predisposing factors for diabetes.

Why Can Steroids Increase Blood Sugar?

The impact of steroids on processes involved in glucose management through multiple physiological pathways. These are:

Production Of Increased Glucose In The Liver

The most direct way steroids increase blood sugar levels is by signalling the liver to produce more glucose. No matter how much energy the body doesn't really need, the liver is pumping extra sugar into the blood anyway. As a result:

• Will result in an increase in fasting blood sugar.

• Blood sugar spikes! Increased blood sugar spikes!

• The pancreas is required to synthesise insulin at higher levels.

Insulin Sensitivity Is Reduced

Anabolic steroids can impair the body's ability to use insulin efficiently (called insulin resistance). When insulin resistance develops:

• Cells take in smaller amounts of glucose

• Blood sugar stays high longer

• The pancreas has to work harder to compensate

• Long-term metabolic stress increases

Changes In Fat Distribution

Some steroids affect body composition and how the body stores fat. There is a significant correlation between increasing abdominal fat and increased insulin resistance and reduced glucose metabolism.

Effects of Corticosteroids vs Anabolic Steroids On Sugar Levels

Different steroids have different effects on sugar levels.

 The biggest offenders when it comes to elevating sugar are corticosteroids. However, the abuse of anabolic steroids can disrupt metabolic functions.

What Is Insulin Resistance?

It is a condition in which a person's cells do not respond normally to insulin, and the pancreas must produce more insulin to help move sugar into cells. Insulin resistance typically increases blood glucose levels.

Some common symptoms of insulin resistance

• Increased appetite

• Chronic tiredness and lethargy

• Increased fatty deposits around the midsection

• Difficulty shedding fat

• High fasting sugar

• High triglyceride levels

Many individuals can suffer from insulin resistance for years without even knowing they have it.

A General Understanding About Steroid-Induced Diabetes

Steroid-induced diabetes, or steroid diabetes, results from high steroid consumption causing glucose in the blood to reach levels that would be considered diabetic. This type of diabetes may occur with:

• Short-term high steroid treatment

• During continued steroid treatment

• Soon after beginning high-dose steroid therapy

• The condition often affects those with a predisposition for diabetes

Development of Steroid Diabetes 

The steroid user typically follows this path to steroid diabetes:

• Steroid administration causes an increase in gluconeogenesis (the creation of glucose from non-carbohydrate substances)

• Steroid use leads to a decrease in insulin receptor number

• Blood glucose levels begin to increase postprandially (after meals)

• The pancreatic beta cell cannot keep up with demand

• A person's body begins to take on a diabetic form, and he is on his way to the development of steroid-induced diabetes

A person does not automatically get steroid-induced diabetes; the risk is significantly increased based on length and amount of usage.

Who Might Be At Higher Risk While Using Steroids?

Some specific individuals may be at higher risk of increased glucose levels while using steroids.

What Are The Warning Signs And Symptoms Of High Sugar Level While On Steroids? 

The body may not always show signs that the blood glucose level is rising. Signs of elevated blood glucose may include:

• Increased thirst and frequent urination

• Blurred vision

• Dry mouth

• Increased hunger

• Fatigue

• Headaches

• Slowed wound healing

Individuals who may be on steroid treatments and experience any of these symptoms should talk with their medical provider about monitoring their glucose levels.

Is Blood Glucose Normal Once Steroids Are Out Of The System?

Mostly yes; this is the case for many individuals who do not already have diabetes. Blood glucose can return to normal once steroid hormone levels drop and your cells once again increase their sensitivity to the body's natural insulin. Factors that take part in this process vary greatly from person to person, including:

• How much steroid was used

• For how long it was used

• Your age and weight

• Body weight

• Existing metabolic health

It may affect other health-related concerns that your body may already have that you do not yet know about. For some, steroid use can uncover a previously unknown predisposition for diabetes that continues to exist even after you stop using them.

What Are The Ways To Decrease Your Risk When Using Steroids?

While not always possible, there are some ways to reduce the risk of fluctuating glucose levels when taking steroids:

Keep Yourself Well-Nourished

A healthy and balanced diet can significantly improve glucose control. The best ways to improve and maintain healthy blood glucose while taking steroids are:

• To eat protein from leaner sources.

• To consume high-fibre vegetables.

• Avoid beverages with added sugar and processed foods. 

• Utilise more complex carbohydrates instead of simple sugars and refined grains. 

Be Sure You Are Getting Enough Exercise

Exercise can increase your cells' responsiveness to insulin and help them soak up the glucose. Exercise can also promote stronger muscle development, which helps cells become more responsive to insulin. Your diet may also affect how you feel;

• Keep it balanced

• Low in simple sugars

• High in fibre

• Nutrients to optimise your health and physical well-being

Make Sure You Are Keeping Tabs On Your Blood Sugar

If you are at high risk, then keep focus on how your levels change as you progress. Make it a point to have these readings available in case you see adverse effects from the treatment, or it’s time for a glucose level and HbA1c assessment. Your doctor may recommend a post-meal and/or morning glucose measurement.

Keep Monitoring Your Weight

Excess body weight can cause increased insulin resistance, which is linked to steroids and diabetes. This is why it is always essential to monitor your weight gain or loss and maintain a healthy range that best fits your needs as a patient.

What May Be The Possible Side Effects Of Steroid Use?

A person should never think of steroids as having no side effects. They all come with a multitude of potential side effects, including:

Steroids May Affect Your Metabolism

Be certain that you are taking the proper dosage and that your levels are checked at regular intervals if your doctor recommends it. Remember that people do research things like best steroid alternatives for a healthy way to promote strength, but nothing truly has no side effects.

Do your research and be careful: many people researching performance-enhancing substances can often look for good places on the internet like Supreme Steroids. When people ask for a good place online, they usually move to this reliable store. As with anything, you should still monitor how your body reacts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a steroid cream/ointment increase blood glucose?

No, it’s generally very low risk. With long-term, high-potency topical steroid application over a large area of skin, blood glucose levels may increase.

How soon after starting steroids will it impact my blood glucose?

It could start as soon as hours and go up to days depending on the type and dose of the steroids.

Will any steroid-induced elevation of blood glucose be permanent?

Not usually. Often, as the dose is reduced or discontinued, blood glucose returns to baseline in many patients.

Should I be worried about blood glucose if I do not have diabetes?

No, for most patients without any risk factors or other medical conditions, you will be able to tolerate the steroids just fine for a shorter period. But if there are any risk factors for elevated glucose, it’s important to consider it.

Can dehydration exacerbate steroid-induced issues with blood glucose?

Yes, this is true. Dehydration will make you much more likely to experience symptoms if your blood sugar does become elevated, and can also make managing it difficult.

Closing Remarks

Steroids can influence how your body produces glucose and insulin and can trigger the release of both. Corticosteroids can contribute to glucose and insulin imbalances by enhancing gluconeogenesis and inhibiting insulin-stimulated glucose uptake; in other words, they increase glucose production in the liver, hinder insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, and contribute to insulin resistance.