When you take steroids, a class of powerful anti-inflammatory drugs often prescribed for autoimmune conditions, asthma, or arthritis. Also known as corticosteroids, they can sharply raise blood sugar—even in people who’ve never had diabetes before. This isn’t a side effect you can ignore. Studies show that up to 40% of people on long-term steroid treatment develop high blood sugar, and about 1 in 5 end up with steroid-induced diabetes, a temporary or sometimes lasting form of diabetes triggered by steroid use. It’s not your fault. It’s biology. Steroids make your liver pump out more glucose and block insulin from doing its job. The result? Blood sugar spikes, especially after meals.
Managing this isn’t about cutting steroids. It’s about working with your doctor to protect your blood sugar while still getting the benefits of the drug. diabetes medications, including metformin, insulin, and newer options like SGLT2 inhibitors are often needed. But it’s not just pills. What you eat, when you move, and how often you check your glucose matter just as much. People who monitor their blood sugar twice a day—before breakfast and after dinner—catch dangerous highs faster. Those who swap white bread for whole grains, skip sugary drinks, and take a 15-minute walk after meals often see their numbers drop without adding more meds.
Some patients think once they stop steroids, their blood sugar will fix itself. Sometimes it does. But not always. That’s why tracking matters. If your fasting sugar stays above 126 mg/dL after stopping steroids, you might have developed type 2 diabetes. That’s not rare. It’s common enough that doctors now screen for it in anyone on steroids for more than three months. The good news? You don’t need to panic. Most cases respond well to lifestyle changes and simple meds. You’re not alone. Thousands manage this every day—without giving up the treatment they need.
Below, you’ll find real, practical advice from people who’ve been there. Whether you’re on prednisone for a flare-up or dexamethasone for cancer treatment, you’ll find guides on adjusting your diet, recognizing early warning signs, and working with your care team to keep your blood sugar stable. No fluff. Just what works.
Corticosteroid-induced hyperglycemia affects up to half of patients on high-dose steroids. Learn how it works, who’s at risk, how to monitor blood sugar properly, and why insulin is often the only effective treatment.
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