42 Factors that affect Blood Glucose

Living with Type 1 Diabetes requires constant monitoring and work to manage blood sugars. It can be exhausting at times with no breaks. Randomly high and stubborn blood sugars or lows out of the blue can take a toll on mental health. 

There are so many factors to consider, it's not just about counting carbs and giving insulin to match as many other variables can affect blood sugars.

FOOD

1 Carbohydrate quantity
2 Carbohydrate type
3 Fat
4 Protein
5 Caffeine
6 Alcohol
7 Meal timing
8 Dehydration
9 Personal microbiome

MEDICATION

10 Medication dose
11 Medication timing
12 Medication interaction
13 Steroid administration
14 Niacin (Vitamin B3)

ACTIVITY

15 Light exercise
16 High-intensity & moderate exercise
17 Level of fitness/training
18 Time of day
19 Food and insulin timing

BIOLOGICAL

20 Too little sleep
21 Stress and illness
22 Recent hypoglycemia
23 During-sleep blood sugars
24 Dawn phenomenon
25 Infusion set issues
26 Scar tissue / Lipodystrophy
27 Intramuscular insulin delivery
28 Allergies
29 A higher BG level (glucotoxicity)
30 Periods (menstruation)
31 Puberty
32 Celiac disease
33 Smoking

ENVIRONMENTAL

34 Expired insulin
35 Inaccurate BG reading
36 Outside temperature
37 Sunburn
38 Altitude

BEHAVIOUR & DECISIONS

39 More frequent BG checks
40 Default options and choices
41 Decision-making biases
42 Family and social pressures