My blood sugar level is up even though I keep a consistent diet and exercise schedule. What could be the cause?

Answer From Stacy M. Loneman, R.N., CDCES

Many factors can cause high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) in people with diabetes. Factors include:

  • Food and physical activity choices
  • Dehydration
  • Certain medications, especially those that contain steroids
  • Skipping or not taking enough medication that lowers blood sugar
  • Taking medications incorrectly
  • Illness, infection, injury or surgery
  • Stress (both positive and negative stress)
  • Hormonal changes

Physical or emotional stress triggers the release of hormones that can cause high blood sugar levels. Menstrual periods and menopause also cause changes in the hormones that affect blood sugar levels.

Regular blood sugar testing can uncover patterns. This can help you and your health care team control your diabetes. If you experience persistent hyperglycemia, talk with your team about adjusting your diabetes treatment.

With

Stacy M. Loneman, R.N., CDCES

March 13, 2024 See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. Medication-free hypertension control
  2. A1C test
  3. Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure?
  4. Alpha blockers
  5. Amputation and diabetes
  6. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
  7. Angiotensin II receptor blockers
  8. Anxiety: A cause of high blood pressure?
  9. Artificial sweeteners: Any effect on blood sugar?
  10. Bariatric surgery
  11. Beta blockers
  12. Beta blockers: Do they cause weight gain?
  13. Beta blockers: How do they affect exercise?
  14. Blood glucose meters
  15. Blood glucose monitors
  16. Blood pressure: Can it be higher in one arm?
  17. Blood pressure chart
  18. Blood pressure cuff: Does size matter?
  19. Blood pressure: Does it have a daily pattern?
  20. Blood pressure: Is it affected by cold weather?
  21. Blood pressure medication: Still necessary if I lose weight?
  22. Blood pressure medications: Can they raise my triglycerides?
  23. Blood pressure readings: Why higher at home?
  24. Blood pressure tip: Get more potassium
  25. Blood sugar testing: Why, when and how
  26. Bone and joint problems associated with diabetes
  27. Pancreas transplant animation
  28. Caffeine and hypertension
  29. Calcium channel blockers
  30. Calcium supplements: Do they interfere with blood pressure drugs?
  31. Can whole-grain foods lower blood pressure?
  32. Central-acting agents
  33. Choosing blood pressure medicines
  34. COVID-19: Who's at higher risk of serious symptoms?
  35. Diabetes
  36. Diabetes and depression: Coping with the two conditions
  37. Diabetes and exercise: When to monitor your blood sugar
  38. Diabetes and heat
  39. 10 ways to avoid diabetes complications
  40. Diabetes diet: Should I avoid sweet fruits?
  41. Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating plan
  42. Diabetes foods: Can I substitute honey for sugar?
  43. Diabetes and liver
  44. Diabetes management: How lifestyle, daily routine affect blood sugar
  45. Diabetes symptoms
  46. Diabetes treatment: Can cinnamon lower blood sugar?
  47. Using insulin
  48. Diabetic Gastroparesis
  49. Diuretics
  50. Diuretics: A cause of low potassium?
  51. Erectile dysfunction and diabetes
  52. High blood pressure and exercise
  53. Exercise and chronic disease
  54. Fatigue
  55. Free blood pressure machines: Are they accurate?
  56. Frequent urination
  57. Home blood pressure monitoring
  58. Glucose tolerance test
  59. Glycemic index: A helpful tool for diabetes?
  60. Hemochromatosis
  61. High blood pressure (hypertension)
  62. High blood pressure and cold remedies: Which are safe?
  63. High blood pressure and sex
  64. High blood pressure dangers
  65. What is hypertension? A Mayo Clinic expert explains.
  66. Hypertension FAQs
  67. Hypertensive crisis: What are the symptoms?
  68. Insulin and weight gain
  69. Isolated systolic hypertension: A health concern?
  70. Kidney disease FAQs
  71. L-arginine: Does it lower blood pressure?
  72. Late-night eating: OK if you have diabetes?
  73. Low-phosphorus diet: Helpful for kidney disease?
  74. Medications and supplements that can raise your blood pressure
  75. Menopause and high blood pressure: What's the connection?
  76. Infographic: Pancreas Kidney Transplant
  77. Pancreas transplant
  78. Pulse pressure: An indicator of heart health?
  79. Reactive hypoglycemia: What can I do?
  80. Resperate: Can it help reduce blood pressure?
  81. Sleep deprivation: A cause of high blood pressure?
  82. Statins
  83. Stress and high blood pressure
  84. The dawn phenomenon: What can you do?
  85. Unexplained weight loss
  86. Vasodilators
  87. Vegetarian diet: Can it help me control my diabetes?
  88. How to measure blood pressure using a manual monitor
  89. How to measure blood pressure using an automatic monitor
  90. What is blood pressure?
  91. Can a lack of vitamin D cause high blood pressure?
  92. Weight Loss Surgery Options
  93. White coat hypertension
  94. Wrist blood pressure monitors: Are they accurate?