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Colds and bg rises
- Thread starter Karen999
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Sorry but this will be "it depends" answer.
It depends how bad the cold is.
It depends how used to having a cold you are.
It depends how insulin resistant you are
It depends what your usual BG is.
It depends how you manage your diabetes - if you can bring your BG down, the symptoms are typically reduced which keeps BG low.
It depends how bad the cold is.
It depends how used to having a cold you are.
It depends how insulin resistant you are
It depends what your usual BG is.
It depends how you manage your diabetes - if you can bring your BG down, the symptoms are typically reduced which keeps BG low.
mashedupmatt
Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
As @helli has said it definitely is a "it depends" answer - I've had a few colds since diagnosis (2 1/2yrs ago) and they have had minimal affect on my BG - even had COVID which made no difference, but as of Christmas Eve have had a mildish throat infection and general malaise, and this time it shot through the roof - my BG (when not eating) usually stays steady around 5-7 mmol/L but until yesterday didn't go lower than 9.5 and spiked at over 18 which is very unusual for me (despite taking all the necessary adjustments as per sick-day rules and despite corrections etc.) It was stubborn and wouldn't come down - as the minor illness has got better, my levels are almost back to normal - everyone is different so there's no easy answer
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harbottle
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- In remission from Type 2
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Mine doesn't change at all.
Karen999
Well-Known Member
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- Type 1.5 LADA
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That's really interesting I assumed, your bg would shoot up
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
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- Type 1
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Not if your diabetes is in remission (as @harbottles is) and your body is able to produce enough insulin to manage the increased glucose released by the liver to help your body fight the cold virus.
I've also noticed my blood pressure increasing with any sort of illness.
Ivostas66
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Not certain about the impact for those with type 2, but for type 1 one's body releases hormones to fight illness (virus, infection) which tends to raise blood glucose levels.
The key is to stay hydrated and keep a careful eye on blood glucose levels. Last year I had an horrendous virus in November, misdiagnosed as a chest infection and I was ill and unable to work until February. My Libre looked like a rollercoaster each day with a BG average around 10mmol/l and hypos dotted around all over the place.
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/living-...ther-medical-conditions/coughs-colds-diabetes
The key is to stay hydrated and keep a careful eye on blood glucose levels. Last year I had an horrendous virus in November, misdiagnosed as a chest infection and I was ill and unable to work until February. My Libre looked like a rollercoaster each day with a BG average around 10mmol/l and hypos dotted around all over the place.
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/living-...ther-medical-conditions/coughs-colds-diabetes
CliffH
Well-Known Member
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- Type 1.5 LADA
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I've got a slight cold now (my first one for ages) and I've been surprised that my BG has gone up - even though I haven't been taking any sugary medications.
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