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Real members of DiabetesTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Can anxiety raise your blood sugars?

A DiabetesTeam Member asked a question 💭
Halifax, NS
April 16
 · 
Reactions
A DiabetesTeam Member

Yes since it is another form of stress. Honestly I think with diabetes the wind blowing the wrong way can raise your sugars

April 16
DiabetesTeam

Can anxiety raise your blood sugar?

Yes, anxiety can definitely raise your blood sugar levels. When you feel anxious or stressed, your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline as part of your fight-or-flight response.

These stress hormones tell your liver to release stored glucose into your bloodstream to give Show Full Answer

Can anxiety raise your blood sugar?

Yes, anxiety can definitely raise your blood sugar levels. When you feel anxious or stressed, your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline as part of your fight-or-flight response.

These stress hormones tell your liver to release stored glucose into your bloodstream to give you extra energy. They also make it harder for insulin to do its job properly, which means sugar stays in your blood longer instead of being used by your cells.

How this affects diabetes management:

If you're experiencing ongoing anxiety, your cortisol levels can stay consistently high. This can lead to:

* Persistently elevated blood sugar levels
* Increased insulin resistance
* More difficulty managing your diabetes overall
* Higher risk of diabetes complications over time

What you can do:

A DiabetesTeam member shared how they managed anxiety-related blood sugar spikes: "I breathed deeply and talked myself down and managed to avoid a spike."

Other helpful strategies include:
* Practicing deep breathing exercises
* Monitoring your blood sugar during stressful times
* Spending time in nature
* Listening to calming music
* Working with a mental health counselor if anxiety is ongoing

If you notice frequent blood sugar spikes related to anxiety or stress, talk to your doctor about adjusting your diabetes management plan.

April 16
A DiabetesTeam Member

Yeah, it definitely can for some people. Stress and anxiety can trigger hormone responses that push numbers up, even if nothing else changes. It can be confusing when that happens. You’re not alone in noticing it. Have you seen it line up with more stressful days?

April 19
A DiabetesTeam Member

Yes like others have said

April 16
A DiabetesTeam Member

Anxiety/stress - good or bad has to my knowledge never affected by blood glucose. I suspect sometimes the temptation is to blame stress for high bgs rather than having a good look at what we've eaten.

April 16

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