Steroid induced diabetes

You certainly seem to be working hard to maintain your health! Good for you for that! It is well known that Prednisone (or extra cortisol in the body) can raise blood sugar. You don't need to continue losing weight if you don't want/need to to control your blood sugar. It's about what you eat, not the quantity, and what your body uses as fuel (glucose from sugar or ketones from fats). I eat zero sugar, and there is sugar in a LOT of things that we don't suspect. Also, excess protein converts to glucose, so for some people that is a factor.  In spite of this, my lab blood sugars are always just a touch high thanks to the Prednisone, although not high enough to concern anybody.  If I wasn't eating this way, I suspect I would be developing diabetes. I hope the diabetic nurse will have good suggestions for you.

Thank you Doni for your reply...I am not eating much sugar either...yoghurt and salad wraps, and only sugar in daily apple or perhaps a few strawberries. just not sure where i'm going with this at present...my husband suggests I just stop the steroids, but don't want to be immobile!! 

Hba1c isn't a measure of the sugars - it reflects the average level of glucose in the blood over the previous 3 months. It is has fallen from 49 to 46 that is good - it means the average BS level was lower than in the previous 3 months. Weight loss contributes to the change in the figures - but if you are dieting you are almost certainly eating less carbohydrate in general, including sugar, and that means the peaks of blood glucose don't go up so high.

It isn't just "sugar" intake that is important. All carbohydrates are processed in the body or make glucose and what are often called "white carbs" are the worst as the highly processed white flours are broken down quickly and that forms a high spike of BS whereas complex carbs, wholegrain flours and so on, are broken down much more slowly so the BS level doesn't get as high which is better. One of the REALLY bad things for peaking BS levels is fruit juice - it causes a big spike in the BS whereas whole fruit with all the fibre still in it and only broken down after you eat it leads to a slower rise in BS that doesn't go as high. Fruit juice isn't always healthy!!!!

Hi Margaret,  I too have found it frustrating. I have been on prednisone for 5+ years and have managed to reduce to 3 1/2 a day (just recently).  When I had my blood work done in March my fasting glucose was 7.1 and my A1C was 56.  Three months later and after losing about 9lbs, very limited carbs, cutting out all but 1 glass of wine a day (I know it’s still too much but...) and exercising at least 5 days a week (walking, cycling and a few weights and crunches my fasting glucose went up to 7.3.  My A1C stayed the same (56).  My Dr. said to wait till the next blood work up in 3 months to see how it is.  Apparently our red blood cell replace themselves every 3 or 4 months so the changes I’ve made may not show yet.  

I know many of you eat a much more restricted diet than I do but it is very frustrating and disappointing to make significant changes and work hard to get healthier only to find out you’re getting closer to being diabetic.  I guess the plus in all this is that I feel better, have more energy and can fit into my clothes better??

Work with the nutritionist and keep up your good work!!  

Diana🌸

Thank you for your replies, it is frustrating that I have tried so hard on the sugars front and yet seem to have little result. Looking forward to seeing the gp on Thursday to hopefully have some suggestions….I am pleased with my weight loss!!! Bon courage, everyone!!!! Let's all keep going and supporting each other. At least we're all trying!!!!

Well, I don't have to go to the diabetic nurse for another year, after losing over 2 stone. although my sugar levels have hardly reduced, I am told they should do as steroids reduce. Am hoping!!! And am keeping up the exercise, diet, diet and exercise regime, thanks to the dog!!!!