Steroid Hyperglycemia: What It Is, Why It Happens, and How to Manage It

When you take steroid hyperglycemia, a rise in blood sugar caused by steroid medications. Also known as corticosteroid-induced hyperglycemia, it’s not rare—it’s a well-documented side effect of drugs like prednisone, dexamethasone, and betamethasone. This isn’t just a lab number changing; it’s your body’s glucose control system being temporarily overridden. Even people without diabetes can see their fasting blood sugar jump into the 150–200 mg/dL range after starting a short steroid course. For those with existing diabetes, it can mean hospital-level spikes.

This happens because corticosteroids, hormone-like drugs used to reduce inflammation interfere with how your liver, muscles, and fat cells handle sugar. They tell your liver to dump more glucose into your bloodstream, while making your cells less responsive to insulin—the hormone that normally pulls that sugar out. This double hit creates insulin resistance, a temporary state where your body needs more insulin to do its job. It’s not permanent, but it’s real, and it can be dangerous if ignored.

People on long-term steroids—like those with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or asthma—are at the highest risk. But even a five-day course after surgery or for a bad flare-up can trigger it. You won’t always feel symptoms. Thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, or blurred vision might show up, but many don’t notice anything until a routine blood test reveals the problem. That’s why monitoring matters. If you’re on steroids, ask your doctor about checking your blood sugar regularly, especially in the first week.

Managing this isn’t about stopping your steroid. It’s about working with your healthcare team to balance the treatment you need with your blood sugar safety. Sometimes, a small dose of metformin or insulin for a few weeks is all it takes. Diet helps too—cutting back on refined carbs and sugar gives your body less to fight. And yes, exercise can make a difference, even light walking after meals helps lower glucose spikes.

Some of the posts below dig into how steroids like betamethasone affect skin and body systems, and how to handle side effects safely. Others cover drug interactions, like how antibiotics can mess with blood sugar control, or how medications like warfarin and antidepressants need careful monitoring when other health issues pop up. The common thread? When you take powerful drugs, your body changes in ways you might not expect—and knowing how to respond can keep you out of the hospital.

Below, you’ll find real-world guides on managing medication side effects, spotting hidden risks, and making smarter choices when your treatment plan gets complicated. Whether you’re dealing with steroid hyperglycemia yourself or helping someone who is, these posts give you the practical steps—not just theory—to stay in control.