can anxiety raise and lower blood sugars

Dodger · Post by **Dodger** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:56 am

Hi there....so I recently did my yearly blood work and although I dont do the fasting my sugars were still a little high....so Im wondering if theres a nurse or something out there that can tell me from an anxiety standpoint does a panic or anxious moment make the body sugars fluctuate like blood pressure can?

This would really help to ease my mind. Its seriously not a terrible high and my doctor said so but it still worries me cuz of my tendency to be hypochondriac like.

Its my new thing to worry about so any good advice would be great.

My doctor suggested if I want to get more accurate readings and not do a fast I could do a home blood test thingy...but I think they can be pricey and not sure I want to invest in all that any thoughts?
Thanks Dodger

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:04 pm

I'm not a nurse at all. I do have type 2 diabetes that's diet controlled, though. I think if you were to talk to a doctor or nutritionist, you will find that stress and anxiety play a significant role in our blood sugar levels and vice versa.

I'm sure it's nothing to worry about or your doctor would have given you a test kit to do at home; that's what mine did and I didn't have to pay for it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:05 pm

Hello Dodger. You are absolutely correct that anxiety can make your blood sugars go up. My sister is a diabetic and I have checked my sugars during anxiety attacks and sure as i am standing here now, they go up. I also wear a dang wrist blood pressure and pulse tester and your bp goes up with anxiety. My family makes fun of me because I am always checking my bp and pulse and sugars. I have been tested for diabetes alot and I DONT have it. So yes, it does make everything in your body go out of wack. Hope this helps. As I check my bp, again, 100 times a day. LOL.
Sincerely

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:32 am

Thank you guys so much......Kit I didnt know there was a home test I will ask about that thank you! and Scaredgirl.....you sound like me.....one things for sure we will be prepared when it happens. I am so glad that you all replied....you have helped to ease my mind and I am starting to eat better......I normally eat a peice of toast and tea before bed last night I did high protien snack....1/2 wholegrain english muffin with peanut butter and a glass of milk ( it was recommended I try) and I slept pretty good. Of course its a pattern for me to wake up feeling crappy so of course my mind worked me in the morning so I drank my juice box in the am when I got up but for breakfast instead of my normal 2 scrambled eggs and toast I am having a heart size portion of oatmeal....so I am trying to change some bad habits. I ordered some cookbooks with ideas for healthy food and meals they should come soon.

But I want to thank you both so much....you are super great people.
Dodger

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 3:31 am

Yes... I used to think I had hypoglycemia but my dr. told me that it was normal for your pancreas to work overtime when you are anxious. I have noticed that the blood sugar drops are much more frequent when I am anxious.

Don't get me started on raising blood pressure. I am struggling with that right now. I always had normal bp until my current 2 month anxiety binge. Now it is high a lot of the time - and I already take a low dose beta blocker for anxiety. It's freakin' me out!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 3:54 am

When you have anxiety you have elevated levels of adrenaline. Raised levels of adrenaline produce raised levels of blood sugar. It's a vicious cycle. I don't have diabetes but I was tested for it due to high blood sugar levels. I am considered "pre" diabetic and can control this with diet.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 5:11 am

I am not a doctor, but am also insulin resistant so considered "prediabetic". My doc said it is the opposite, that off balanced blood sugars cause anxiety symptoms. I guess it doesn't matter, either way they are linked. I did notice that eating to control my sugar level resulted in a lower level of anxiety for me, as well as overall feeling better and some weight loss. The mind-body connection is very interesting...