How Long Do Steroids Impact Blood Sugar Levels?

Will blood sugar levels return to normal after discontinuing steroid treatment? In many cases, individuals experience a restoration of their blood sugar levels to a normal range once they cease using steroids, although this outcome may not apply universally. For many individuals, this means they can discontinue the use of insulin if it was required during their steroid treatment. However, it’s crucial to remain vigilant if you anticipate the need for steroid medication in the future. Monitoring your blood sugar levels and promptly addressing any elevated levels will be essential to managing your health effectively.

How can I effectively manage blood sugar levels while taking steroids? When you find yourself in this situation, it’s crucial to address elevated blood sugar levels. One potential strategy involves the temporary use of insulin to bring down your blood sugar levels. If you are already using insulin as part of your diabetes management, it may be necessary to adjust your insulin regimen. Specifically, when starting a higher dosage of steroids, it’s common to increase your long-acting insulin doses by approximately 10% to 20%. This adjustment helps maintain better blood sugar control and ensures your overall well-being during steroid treatment.

The duration of elevated blood sugar levels following a steroid injection can last for up to one day. However, it’s important to note that steroids can still be used safely in individuals with diabetes or those at risk of high blood sugar, as long as proper monitoring and management of blood glucose levels are implemented during this temporary period of elevation. This information was reported on April 29, 2020.