Saturday 12 September 2009

The effects of steroids on blood sugar levels

There are certain types of steroids, which have greater effects on the sugar levels than others. For instance, glucocorticoids can have greater effects compared to anabolic steroids.
Glucocorticoids are types of steroids that have an effect in the regulation of glucose metabolism. It includes hydrocortisone, prednisone, dexamethasone and betamethasone.
This type of steroids can make the liver generate sugar from substances such as proteins and fats. It acts in the brain, specifically in the appetite control center, by increasing hunger pangs. Finally, steroids inhibits the release of insulin from the pancreas and lowers the action of insulin in our body tissues.
Steroids can affect both non-diabetics and diabetics. However, the effect is more significant with diabetics. If you are a diabetic, you may need to visit your doctor for some adjustments in your diabetic therapy, since greater doses of insulin might be needed to counteract the effects of steroid therapy. Your meals should also be properly planned as steroids can increase hunger.
It is important that your doctor would be able to balance the exact dose of steroids to be given. The type of steroids and route of administration should be properly identified.
Generally, inhaled and topical steroids produce the least effect on blood sugar levels compared to other forms of steroids.
From Caller:
CORPUS CHRISTI — The word steroids has become synonymous with sports and medicine. But these two associations could not be more different. The family of anabolic steroids abused by athletes is quite different than the family of glucocorticoid steroids that patients get.

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