Higher cortisol levels can raise blood sugar levels. This can happen because of stress, sleep irregularities, caffeine and alcohol, certain medications, and even times of the day.
You may experience high blood sugar levels if your body increases how much of a certain hormone is made.
When your adrenal gland makes more cortisol, that can lead to glucose spikes. This can be a result of many factors, including stressful events in your day, too little sleep, or the amount of alcohol or caffeine you drink.
Cortisol levels may also be higher in the morning hours. Some people naturally experience higher blood sugar levels when they wake up.
Cortisol is a steroid hormone that
- how your body responds to stress
- how you feel awake and aware
- your metabolism
- your immune system
- your central nervous system
Read more about high cortisol levels and the other effects they can have on your body.
Another of those main bodily functions is regulating your glucose levels.
When you produce more cortisol for any reason, your blood sugars can rise. This is because cortisol triggers your body to release stored glucose into the bloodstream, while also telling your body to stop producing the glucose-lowering hormone insulin.
Hence, the higher blood sugars.
Over time, those higher glucose levels from increased cortisol can
Here’s a look at some of the key factors that affect cortisol in your body and may play a role in higher blood sugars.
Stress
Overall, mental health
This means stressful situations and chronic stress can spike blood sugars.
Sleep patterns
The gland that produces cortisol works on a circadian rhythm, meaning it’s tied to your sleep patterns.
That means people naturally have lower cortisol levels before going to bed and higher cortisol levels when they wake up.
For people with diabetes, this is commonly known as the dawn phenomenon. Some people manage this natural spike in blood sugar levels with medications or insulin, while others incorporate natural glucose-lowering measures into their lives to adjust.
Alcohol and caffeine
Alcohol and caffeine intake may also play a role in your body’s cortisol production and the effect on blood sugars:
- Alcohol: Research shows that alcohol may raise your cortisol levels.
- Caffeine: This stimulant
causes your body to release both cortisol and adrenaline, the “fight-or-flight” hormone. Both hormones can cause a temporary blood sugar spike, but higher cortisol levels over time may lead to insulin resistance and higher blood sugar levels.
Tips to manage blood sugar levels
The amount of cortisol in your body is just one of many factors that may affect blood sugars throughout the day and night.
These steps can help you manage your glucose levels and keep them within the target range you’ve set with your healthcare team.
Regular physical activity and healthy food choices can also be part of a care plan for balancing cortisol and blood sugar levels.
»Learn more:Healthline’s picks for the best at-home cortisol tests
Your blood sugars may increase because of cortisol, which is released in your body due to stress, sleep deprivation or changes in your sleeping patterns, alcohol or caffeine, and certain medications.
You can work with your healthcare team on managing blood sugar levels in the context of cortisol-affecting factors.
