The end of last Nov/Dec last year I had to take a long course of prednisolone over 2 weeks. Then a reducing dose back down to zero. Nine days ago I had a blood test to check my blood sugar.
It came back a little raised. This I was told wasn't too concerning as I had been on steriods. This test will be repeated in 3 months time.
My blood sugar has been raised because of taking a long course of prednisolone before. It went been down to normal.
Has anyone else had this experience?
Raised blood sugars is a usual side affect of taking steroids. I am diabetic and advised not to worry too much at levels when on steroids. As long as it falls back to within range once steroids have finished it is fine. Obviously if I had to take steroids for a significant amount of time then it would be more concerning.
longterm high dose prednisolone has given me steroid induced diabetes
Same here I've been on steroids daily since 1991, currently 20mg per day and have insulin dependant diabetes. Now got sensor so make it so much easier to manage than having to use finger prick constantly. On the positive side I am still alive. I am asthmatic and that's what I take steroids for, bow also have diabetes, muscle wastage, osteoporosis (currently recuperating from fratured neck of femus and ball replacement in joint) but as said I am still here over 30 years after starting them continuously
Hi elanaoali
I am in exactly the same position as you!
Was in hospital a month ago, with all the usual asthma treatment and IVs which incidentally all seem to have hyperglycaemia as a side effect…🙄
Since then have been on lots of steroids to control things and then my GP surgery announce that they want a blood glucose test to monitor my treatment!
Not surprisingly it was raised and so now I have to see the nurse which I’m not too happy about really as the timing of the test was a bit silly.
This has happened before (and prob will again) but it usually returns to normal 🤞 after a few weeks off pred. So I will just insist on a re-test later.
It doesn’t really seem a great use of the nurse time though if they had just looked at my notes before ordering the test…I wish my surgery had reacted like yours.
Hope your sugars return to normal…🤞 none of us need any more complications to add to the asthma merry go round 🙏😕
😊👍
Hi Pipsqueak I was in hospital too because of having double pneumonia. That's why I was on a long course of prednisolone. It's been about month or so since I been off it. I am back to work and excerising again. Trying to lose the extra weight I gain while I was convalescencing. Christmas obviously didn't help!
I try not to eat too many sugary things. Can't eat chocolate and don't eat sweets or biscuits.
Feeling fitter already now I swimming 3 times a week again.
My next blood test will be in April so I hope and pray it will come back as normal.
I was classed as pre diabetic when on high dose Pednisolone as my reading was 45 so I cut down on sugary things to lessen the risk of having to take any medication for it. It has since returned to normal not long after coming off steroids.
in addition to diabetes I also have the following all related to steroids I have been told
Adrenal suppression - can’t produce any cortisone - on medication
Low thyroid - on medication
Low testosterone - on medication
High BP - on medication
But I live a pretty normal life tbh just the std hospital admissions every so often for asthma exacerbations
Mike
hi elanaoali
I'm foxy I have been in striods for long time I often take my rescue pack and with 50mg for 2 weeks and then reducing it 5mg a week it's common for your sugar levels to go up bit more then normal when you come off it as well as it's still in our body with that again our weight goes up as well not to worry I'm saying this from. Experience I have had serve copd bronchitis emphysema odima and psudumosus with oxygen nublizer and niv 24 hours a day have been doing self medicated since last 3 years indoors I'm doing good only I go hospital when it goes out of hands and psudumosus attacks my lungs pretty bad living with that condition for last 11 years take care ✋🏼
Steroids are a real bum for glucose levels! I have insulin dependant diabetes anyway, but when I was in hospital and on lots of steroids my glucose levels went crazy!! The thing I learnt was that the steroids will make glucose levels to their highest until about 6pm (if taken in morning? )...so basically I have to increase my lunchtime and teatime insulin dose quite significantly while on pred. Because I have to regularly check my glucose levels...as in before and after food and some extras, it was really interesting seeing the obvious affect of them.
Sorry I have diveresed a bit, but yes, hopefully once you're off them, you will be OK again. As others have said, long-term steroids can cause diabetes but I hope your blood sugar levels will return to normal as before!!
Take care of you!
Dee x
Side effects of steroids
Prednisolone cleared wheeziness but now back worse than before
Sinusitis side effect with Atrovent and Spiriva
Prednisolone 
